US settlement pool for asbestos claims

The US appears to be well on the way to establishing a settlement pool for asbestos claims, funded by contributions from businesses that are affected, and their insurers. The pool is the result of a Senate judicial committee. There is reported to be growing support for the idea of a national trust fund. It is being suggested by most that the fund would need to be in the region of US$100bn, though others point to US$200bn+.