S. 3274, the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act is now pending in the Senate.

The legislation would create a $140 billion national asbestos compensation trust fund that would speed fair compensation to those who have been harmed and their families. The trust fund will:

• Be privately funded by contributions from asbestos defendant companies and insurers. No taxpayer money would be involved.

• Streamline the claims process and speed compensation to victims. Today, many victims spend years navigating the court system. Due to the many bankruptcies, their compensation is often delayed and reduced. Instead of filing a lawsuit and then waiting months or years for a trial or settlement, individuals would simply submit their claims to the fund. Claimants would be fairly compensated if they meet medical criteria for certain illnesses and show past asbestos exposure.

• Minimize the role of trial lawyers and limit their total fees to 5% of claims paid by the fund. Today, victims receive only 42 cents of every dollar spent on the litigation, with the remainder going to lawyers and court costs.

• Establish strong medical criteria and criminal penalties that will put an end to mass medical screenings, weed out unwarranted claims and serve as the foundation for adequate and just financial compensation for truly sick asbestos victims and their families.

A national asbestos trust fund is the only way to restore faith in the system and make sure victims get the compensation they deserve. Please contact your United States Senators today and ask them to support a national asbestos victims' trust fund today.

For more information, read the bill.