Lawsuit watchdog group thinks ‘judicial hellhole’ title is justified

McLean County was put on a “judicial hellhole” watch list by a watchdog group last year and the Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch group says a recent case proves that true. Travis Akin says a McLean County jury delivered a $90 million asbestos exposure settlement recently. But, Akin says the plaintiff never worked for the companies involved in the suit.

“This is just another example of why Illinois continues to lose businesses to other states and why we need to address the legal system here in Illinois,” he said.

The verdict is believed to be the second-highest mesothelioma decision of all time. The companies involved – Honeywell International Inc, Pneumo Abex, Owens-Illinois Inc and John Crane Inc plan to contest the verdict. But, Akin says the damage from the settlement goes beyond the companies involved.

“How many lives have to be ruined because of this one decision when none of the products these companies make were involved in the exposure?”

Listen to the full interview with Akin below.

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