1.   And some of the tobacco lawyers have made fortunes suing asbestos companies.

2.   Before entering the viatical business, Crowder owned an asbestos testing company in Arlington.

3.   But dozens of asbestos companies have been tied up for years in bankruptcy while claimants have gone uncompensated and scarce corporate assets were drained in legal wrangling.

4.   Hamilton said the industry was also trying to convince members of Congress to make a provision in the tobacco settlement for the asbestos companies.

5.   It now returns to a lower court and could open the way for new lawsuits against asbestos companies.

6.   No one is willing to go up against the asbestos companies.

7.   So would suits by several asbestos companies seeking compensation for the added harm smoking caused people exposed to asbestos.

8.   That agreement wound up bankrupting many asbestos companies.

9.   The ruling also could open the way for new lawsuits against asbestos companies.

10.   Wilner, who formerly defended asbestos companies against massive liability claims against them, now has decided to turn his attention to suing big tobacco companies.