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Toxic Torts And Chapter 11 Reorganization:The Problem Of Future Claims, Anne Hardiman

Vanderbilt Law Review

Recently, the toxic tort phenomenon has emerged as a vital concern to manufacturers, employers, and consumers as Agent Orange,' DES, Dalkon Shield, and asbestos victims have litigated toxic tort claims. Toxic torts are unique because any number of victims may be exposed to a toxic substance from which they may contract a disease as far as twenty years in the future. Toxic tort claims typically involve large sums of money and an inestimable number of plaintiffs. The potential for tremendous, financially crippling, liability for these injuries has prompted some asbestos companies to file for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the …