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Snapshot of Recent Trends in Asbestos Litigation: 2017 Update
25 July 2017
Mary Elizabeth C. Stern and Lucy P. Allen
In an annual review of recent trends in filings and settlements in asbestos litigation, NERA Director Mary Elizabeth C. Stern and Managing Director Lucy P. Allen use publicly available data to analyze trends in asbestos-related liabilities for more than 150 companies.
2016 Highlights
- After falling substantially in 2015, average dollars per resolved claim increased 43% in 2016, returning to pre-2015 levels.
- The number of claims resolved fell, reversing an increase in 2015, while dismissal rates declined.
- Total indemnity payments increased slightly, rising 15%, but remained within the range observed historically.
- Filings remained flat at the levels observed since 2007 and have continued to mirror recent estimates of national mesothelioma incidence, which appear to have plateaued.
- Reserves increased, reversing declines observed over the prior five years.