The persistent global production and use of asbestos, coupled with the fiber’s equally deadly and inconspicuous qualities, created an unprecedented human tragedy. Asbestos has been mined and produced since prehistoric times, and its association with disease is well documented. Nevertheless, for many decades, this known toxin was omnipresent in mines, mills, and manufacturing plants, exacting an unspeakable toll on those who worked at such facilities on a daily basis. Moreover, the family members of these workers, and countless users of certain asbestos-containing consumer products were further victims. Only through the legal system did the scope of this tragedy become widely understood. It is through the tireless work of victims and their advocates that we now know the extent to which the asbestos industry hid crucial knowledge about the dangers of asbestos in a ploy driven by financial incentives. Today, the judicial system, attorneys, and society at large are still unpacking and addressing this human tragedy.