Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

These asbestos litigation claims involve cases of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung, which is directly caused by asbestos exposure. Mesotshelioma can take years to manifest and asbestos attorneys are often asked to represent victims many years after exposure to asbestos. Treatment is difficult and very expensive. Sterlite Industries has also made a proposal to ASARCO, offering to purchase its Hayden smelter, Texas refinery and three copper mines for $2.6 billion. Both Sterlite and Grupo Mexico apparently are determined to gain control over ASARCO because they are in a legal struggle over the valuable Peruvian copper mines.