Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Zonolite, a loose-fill vermiculite attic insulation sold from the 1920s to 1984, has been used in more than 35 million homes and businesses and is considered a substantial health risk because of the large quantities of asbestos fibers it contains. When handled or installed, the dangerous asbestos fibers are easily dislodged and inhaled, leading to possible mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lung lining. The cost to homeowners for removal of asbestos contamination from ceilings and attics could cost from $11,000 to $40,000. Submitting a claim through the Grace bankruptcy settlement could allow recovery of some expenses. Thousands of deaths have been linked to asbestos exposure from Zonolite Attic Insulation and other similar products. W.R. Grace faced more than 129,000 personal injury asbestos lawsuits when they filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2001. The W. R. Grace asbestos filing deadline does not apply to asbestos lawsuits for personal injuries. Grace agreed last April to separate asbestos settlements worth between $1.8 billion and $3 billion to resolve lawsuits for individuals who developed mesothelioma, asbestosis or other injuries associated with their products. In June 2008, a federal bankruptcy judge required W.R. Grace to pay an additional $250 million to settle government lawsuits regarding clean-up expenses in Libby, Montana. A significant number of Libby residents have become ill with asbestosis or mesothelioma, a malignant cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos attorneys remain active in representing these claimants.