According to a new study conducted by officials with the Rand Institute for Civil Justice, the number of asbestos-related lawsuits could soon quadruple from the current level of 600,000. Researchers say up to 1.8 million additional claims may be filed, costing companies fighting asbestos litigation an extra $200 billion. Several major corporations, including Viacom and Georgia-Pacific Corp., have already spent $1 billion on asbestos-related suits.

Earlier this month, a California jury awarded $33.7 million to a man who allegedly developed mesothelioma while servicing ship boilers during the 1970s. The award is believed to be the largest single asbestos-related verdict ever handed down in the state.