21.   When a wave of asbestos litigation swept the Gulf Coast, Wendall was once again in the right place.

22.   Workers were also referred to the labs through law firms that handled asbestos litigation or labor unions, the suit says.

23.   Asbestos litigation also is a major financial headache for insurers.

24.   Building products manufacturer USG Corp. said Monday that fast-mounting asbestos litigation costs may force it to seek federal bankruptcy protection, sending its stock plummeting.

25.   Building products manufacturer USG Corp. filed for federal bankruptcy protection Monday, citing the growing costs of asbestos litigation.

26.   But it could be difficult for the company to convince analysts that the asbestos litigation is a benign problem.

27.   In addition, the company has become increasingly burdened by asbestos litigation and growing obligations for retiree medical and pension costs.

28.   In filing for protection from creditors in a Delaware federal court, Kaiser blamed a weakened economy, depressed prices and asbestos litigation.

29.   The suits, filed in December, were first reported by Mealey Publications, which follows tobacco and asbestos litigation, in its newsletter released Friday.