Mesothelioma Law Firm Applauds New Asbestos Case Management Order Now in Effect
Published by, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Post & PR Web, Mesothelioma Law Firm Applauds New Asbestos Case Management Order Now in Effect
Deborah Schweizer, partner and leading mesothelioma attorney at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason (CPSM), is satisfied with the new court order regarding the management of asbestos cases in San Francisco that went into effect July 2. Schweizer is just one of several Bay Area asbestos attorneys who participated on a committee made up of members of both sides of the asbestos bar and the San Francisco Superior Court bench who have been reviewing and revising the procedural rules that govern the management of asbestos cases in San Francisco.
The former Asbestos General Orders, Schweizer says, were under review for several months, with a deadline for final revision to be completed by July 1st, which was successfully met.
Schweizer says, “This was truly a collaborative effort. Members of both the plaintiffs’ bar and defense bar put in many hours to come up with draft proposals for the Case Management Order that would be acceptable to the parties and the Court. The asbestos judge, Judge Teri Jackson, and Asbestos Settlement Coordinator, Pang Ly, also worked tirelessly to get the Case Management Order finalized before the deadline date of July 1.” The new case management order replaces the prior general orders while retaining some of the procedural features that make asbestos litigation more efficient, less costly and promotes early resolution.
Schweizer says the committee was created after the San Francisco Superior Court indicated it wanted to do away with the General Orders, saying they were outdated and had lost their relevancy. Members on both sides of the asbestos bar objected to throwing the General Orders out entirely, so Judge Jackson agreed to the formation of a committee to work with the Court to revise the General Order system..
Of significance to plaintiffs diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related terminal illnesses was the decision to maintain a presumptive limit on the deposition times for dying plaintiffs. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 3000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. The median survival from time of diagnosis is quite short, sometimes only months. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by prior exposure to asbestos.
Jack Clapper, founding attorney of CPSM, says “Veterans and other occupational groups are particularly at risk due to the nature of their work and the proliferation of asbestos containing products- both in years past and now. There are many in-place asbestos products that continue to pose a health risk.”
In regards to the Case Management Order (case number CGC-84-828684) newly enacted by the San Francisco County Superior Court, Schweizer concludes, “While neither the defense bar nor plaintiffs’ bar got everything they were pushing for, I think the new Order will prove to be satisfactory to all concerned.” Click here to view the complete Case Management Order.
About Clapper, Patti Schweizer & Mason
CPSM is a mesothelioma law firm based in California that has represented thousands of clients from all over the United States in asbestos lawsuits and bankruptcy claims. Unlike many other law firms, CPSM solely focuses on asbestos litigation, with a long record of winning millions of dollars in awards for their clients. CPSM fights for the rights of the working men and women who have been injured by the negligence of large asbestos corporations and manufacturers. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, contact CPSM today at 1-800-440-4262 to speak directly with an asbestos attorney who will fight for your rights until justice is served.