GAF Corporation
In 1886 the Standard Paint Company was established in New York City, and by 1928 the name had been changed to the Ruberoid Company. Later in 1928, Ruberoid had purchased and taken over the H.F. Watson Company and all of its production facilities. H.F. Watson manufactured an industrial grade insulation that was made out of a naturally occurring material known as asbestos. This was a popular base for insulation and other materials because it has the ability to withstand very high temperatures and it is a fire resistant material. The Ruberoid Company continued production on this and other asbestos based products.
During the 1970's researcher had realized that asbestos was not safe for humans. It can break apart into miniscule particles and be inhaled, then cause massive damage to the respiratory system and induce diseases such as the asbestos cancer called mesothelioma. People who were around products that were made out of asbestos began to get sick, and many did not survive the illnesses they developed. The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure but smoking combined with asbestos exposure has been known to increase the chances of developing the disease. Luckily there are leading doctors like Dr. David Sugarbaker at mesothelioma clinics throughout the country that offer treatments that can help increase patient’s life expectancy. Treatment can involve surgery (i.e. mesothelioma pneumonectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy) and/or chemotherapy with Alimta®, Navelbine or Onconase. Our treatment guide for mesothelioma and mesothelioma resources section both provide more information.
Shortly before this discovery, the GAF Corporation had purchased Ruberoid and all of their manufacturing facilities. GAF took over as the number one supplier of asbestos in Virginia as they assumed control over a local mine that contained large quantities of the mineral. As of 1975, GAF executives declared the mine to no longer be a worthwhile asset, and decided to close it down. Miners who worked at the site protested this decision, and formed the Vermont Asbestos Group. They purchased the mine and continued to operate inside it for the next five years.
By this time, the harmful effects of asbestos had been well documented, and companies across the nation who created products out of it were being sued by thousands of people. GAF was hit hard, and helped to start up the Asbestos Claims Facility (ACF) in which several companies that faced asbestos related personal injury claims would work together to resolve all of the cases as a group entity. It was not long before this group began to fall apart, but GAF remained committed to the organization, which later changed its name to the Center for Claims Resolution (CCR). The CCR members would work together from a financial and legal point of view to settle all ongoing cases.
GAF decided to declare bankruptcy in 2001, and filed for a Chapter 11 procedure. This allowed the company to restructure and gain protection from the thousands of asbestos lawsuits that were still unresolved. A trust fund was developed to handle the investigations of these claims and to pay off those that were considered to be valid cases. GAF still operates today as a manufacturer of roofing and decking materials, specialty fabrics and iron ductwork.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you may have a claim, please contact us.
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