What are some of the tactics to avoid compensation payouts?

In the US, asbestos litigation has a special system where lots of companies are named in each suit, then they compete to eliminate themselves as the main contributors to the person's ailments.

For example, if a person did a brake job in the 50s once, Napa Auto Parts is in the lawsuit because they made brake pads with asbestos. But oh, they were boilermaker for decades, working around asbestos-lined systems? Well, Napa is probably off the hook or they'll chuck a few thousand at the person to settle, leaving the larger source more on the hook.

It's a game of subtraction and divvying up cost by contributing exposure mostly.

Source: spouse worked on these cases.

I can't say. The cases were settled long before we acquired them. They're running on autopilot until the awardees die.