Bill > SB666

This bill modifies the legal procedures for asbestos and silica-related lawsuits, aiming to improve how the court system handles these cases. Specifically, it clarifies when the statute of limitations, which is the time limit for filing a lawsuit, begins to run for individuals exposed to asbestos or silica. The bill states that a lawsuit cannot be filed after the exposed person receives a medical diagnosis of an asbestos or silica-related impairment, discovers facts that would reasonably lead to such a diagnosis, or dies from such an impairment. It also clarifies that this change does not revive claims that were already past their deadline before the bill became law, nor does it affect any settlements or agreements made before the bill's effective date. Furthermore, the bill establishes that claims for non-cancerous asbestos or silica conditions are separate from claims for cancer caused by these substances, and it generally prohibits awarding damages for the fear or increased risk of future disease in such cases. A significant addition is a provision that prevents lawsuits against manufacturers of coal mining equipment, when that equipment was made to comply with federal safety regulations, unless the lawsuit is filed within a specific timeframe, generally 12 years from the manufacturer's first sale or 10 years from its first delivery to an initial user, whichever comes first, unless the manufacturer provided a longer warranty.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=666&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill