Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

T&N welcomes American ruling on asbestos deal

Thursday 18 August 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

T&N, the engineering and motor components group, said a US court ruling on settlement of asbestos illness claims would cause a fall of about 50 per cent in the charges it has been making to cover asbestos-related costs over the next five years.

The settlement, upheld yesterday by a federal court in Philadelphia, is expected to resolve 100,000 asbestos-related claims, providing dollars 1bn ( pounds 660m) to claimants over the first 10 years of the agreement.

The deal was negotiated between lawyers for the victims of the diseases and the Center for Claims Resolution, representing 20 companies formerly involved in the asbestos industry, including T&N.

The class-action settlement will mean that claims are no longer subject to litigation but are settled according to set administrative procedures, with the total awards paid out each year being capped.

T&N, as Turner and Newall, was one of Britain's largest manufacturers of asbestos products in the late 1960s. The company was forced to diversify into other areas as the dangers of asbestos-related illness became apparent.

Shares in T&N closed 9p higher at 248p following the news of the judgment yesterday.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in