If you or a loved one has been the victim of asbestos exposure, hopefully you have been keeping up with the so-called FACT Act. The Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act does less to help the victims of asbestos exposure, and more to help those in the asbestos industry. Most importantly, the bill threatens your right to justice and privacy.
The FACT Act will require victims and their family members to provide private information, including the last four digits of social security numbers and medical histories, within an online public database. This public display of information will make identity theft of ill individuals a huge risk. Read some of the articles that have been published on the topic, here:
The Hill: Groups warn asbestos bill could spur online identity theft
Slate: The deadliest scourge you probably haven’t heard of
Politico: Asbestos bill raised ID theft concerns
SC Magazine: Asbestos bill would expose victims’ personal data, medical histories
Supporters of the FACT Act want to see compensation for those affected by asbestos exposure delayed and decreased. It is their hope that by implementing these new rules and procedures that prolong the claim process, victims will settle for less than they are entitled to.
See our infographic to find out more about how the FACT Act hurts the victims of asbestos exposure.
Congress is set to vote on the FACT Act tomorrow, January 7. Do not hesitate to reach out to your member of Congress and let them know that you oppose the bill.
