Tillinghast - Towers Perrin Study Highlights New Numbers, Concerns for Asbestos Litigants, Insurers

A new study by a Philadelphia-based group that provides risk management analysis for the insurance industry indicates that settlements associated with U.S. asbestos exposure will ultimately top $200 billion.

The study - the results of which were presented May 30 by Tillinghast - Towers Perrin at a regional meeting of casualty actuaries - takes into consideration the projection that more than half of the anticipated one million asbestos-related claims have yet to be filed in U.S. courts.

"Absent federal legislation that could bring an end to these suits, corporations, shareholders, insurers and reinsurers face the prospect of onerous liabilities burdening …