01. History of Asbestos Companies
History of Asbestos Manufacturing
Asbestos was often used in manufacturing due to the mineral’s ability to resist heat, fire and chemical reactions. Companies in various industries, such as construction and chemical refining, may have used asbestos.
One of the most notable asbestos companies was Johns-Manville. The company produced asbestos construction products and operated its own mines.
Today, companies, such as Johns-Manville, are often named in asbestos lawsuits related to past use of the mineral.
Asbestos companies knowingly used the carcinogen for decades despite health risks. At the height of asbestos use, the mineral was in thousands of products.
Downfall of the U.S. Asbestos Industry
By the 1970s, researchers discovered asbestos led to an increased risk for lung diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Due to the more widespread knowledge of health risks, asbestos use in the United States became regulated in the late 1970s and 1980s. These asbestos regulations have helped restrict asbestos use and hold companies accountable. Regulations also help prevent further exposure of workers and consumers.
However, without a complete asbestos ban, certain products and industries may still use the mineral.
02. Most Viable Defendants
Most Common Viable Defendants
Individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may file a lawsuit for compensation. The companies listed below are commonly named in asbestos litigation due to the widespread use of their asbestos products.
The majority of companies listed here are still solvent and in operation today.
These companies often settle mesothelioma lawsuits before they go to trial. However, others may defend asbestos lawsuits until the end of the legal process.
- A.W. Chesterton Company
- Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
- Alfa Laval, Inc.
- Allied Signal, Inc.
- American Biltrite, Inc.
- American Cyanamid Company
- American Olean Tile Co.
- American Optical Company
- American Standard, Inc.
- Anchor Packing Co., The
- Armstrong International, Inc.
- Atlantic Richfield Company
- Aurora Pump Company
- Bath Iron Works
- Bechtel Corporation
- Bell & Gossett Company
- Bergen Tile & Linoleum Co.
- Bestobell Steam Traps
- Bird Corporation
- Boise Cascade Corporation
- Borg Warner Automotive, Inc.
- Buffalo Pumps, Inc.
- Burnham Corporation
- Cleaver Brooks Company
- Connecticut Light & Power Company
- Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
- DAP, Inc.
- De Laval Steam Turbine
- Electric Boat Corporation
- Ericcson, Inc.
- Fisher Scientific Company
- FMC Corporation
- Foseco, Inc.
- Foster Wheeler Corporation
- Gardner Denver, Inc.
- Gould’s Pumps, Incorporated
- Hollingsworth & Vose Company
- International Paper Company
- J.H. France Refractories Co., Inc.
- John Crane Company
- John Deere Industrial Equipment Company
- Kelly Moore Paints
- Metalclad Insulation
- Milwaukee Valve Company
- Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing (3M)
- National Automotive Parts Association
- P&H Mining Equipment, Inc.
- Riley Stoker Corporation
- Sherwin Williams Company
- Sid Harvey Industries, Inc.
- Spirax Sarco, Inc.
- Syd Carpenter
- Uniroyal Holding, Inc.
- Viking Pump, Inc.
- Warren Pumps, Inc.
- Weil-McLain Co.
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Bankrupt Asbestos Companies
Bankrupt Asbestos Companies
The companies listed below have all filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds. Asbestos trusts compensate current and future asbestos exposure victims. Asbestos companies often file for bankruptcy when frequently named in asbestos claims.
Claimants must meet the specific trust fund’s eligibility requirements. Trusts pay successful claims according to set payment percentages.
Bankrupt Asbestos Companies With More Than $200 Million in Assets
The companies in this list all have more than 200 million dollars in assets. An individual can file asbestos claims with these trusts if they meet the appropriate criteria. These trusts will be compensating mesothelioma victims for many years to come.
- Aldrich Pump LLC & Murray Boiler LLC/Trane U.S. Inc.
- A. P. Green Industries
- AC&S
- Armstrong World Industries
- ASARCO
- Babcock & Wilcox
- Bondex International
- Celotex
- CertainTeed Corporation
- Combustion Engineering
- Congoleum
- Eagle-Picher Industries
- Flintkote
- GAF Corporation
- Garlock Sealing Technologies
- Bestwall LLC/Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Halliburton
- Harbison Walker
- J. T. Thorpe
- Johns-Manville
- Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc.
- Kentile Floors, Inc.
- NARCO / Honeywell
- National Gypsum
- Owens Corning
- Owens Corning / Fibreboard
- Paddock Enterprises LLC/Owens-Illinois, Inc.
- Pfizer/Quigley
- Pittsburgh Corning
- Plant Insulation Company
- T H Agriculture and Nutrition, L.L.C.
- Thorpe Insulation Co.
- Trane U.S. Inc./Ingersoll-Rand Company
- Turner & Newall
- United States Gypsum
- W.R. Grace
- Western MacArthur
Bankrupt Asbestos Companies With Less Than $200 Million in Assets
The companies in this list all have less than 200 million dollars in assets. Individuals can file claims with these trusts if they meet the appropriate criteria. These trusts have limited funds available.
Individuals exposed to asbestos by one of these companies should speak to a mesothelioma lawyer at their earliest convenience.
- A.P.I. Inc of Minnesota
- ABB Lummus
- A-Best
- Allis-Chalmers
- Amatex Corporation
- Burns & Roe
- CE Thurston
- Daimler Chrysler
- Durabla
- Duro Dyne Corporation
- E. J. Bartells
- Federal Mogul
- Flexitallic
- Forty-Eight Insulations
- General Motors
- H. K. Porter Company
- Hercules Chemical
- J. T. Thorpe Successor Trust
- Keene Corporation
- Leslie Controls
- Maremont Corporation
- Oakfab Co., Inc.
- Pacor
- Plibrico
- Porter-Hayden
- Rapid American
- Raytech Corporation
- Sepco Corporation
- Shook & Fletcher
- Tyler Pipe / Swan Transportation
- Unarco
- United Gilsonite Laboratories
- United States Mineral Products
- Yarway Corporation
04. Other Viable Defendants
Other Viable Defendants
The companies listed below have all been named in asbestos lawsuits. Some have been named more than others.
All the companies on this list are solvent and still in operation.
05. Asbestos Companies Today
Asbestos Companies Today
Asbestos use in the United States has waned in recent years. Today, 100% of the asbestos imported into the country is for use in the chlor-alkali industry. Those working within this industry may still be at risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in other industries may experience asbestos exposure through old asbestos materials still in use.
Asbestos laws continue to evolve as anti-asbestos advocates work towards a complete ban. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently evaluated asbestos.
The EPA completed a Draft Risk Evaluation for Asbestos in 2020. However, a peer review committee found issues with the assessment and the EPA is drafting another version.
The EPA has the potential to enact stricter regulations on asbestos companies.
Can Asbestos Companies Be Held Accountable for Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos companies can be held accountable for exposing workers and consumers to asbestos. Asbestos companies continue to be named in lawsuits stemming from use of the mineral.
As asbestos exposure victims continue to file claims:
- More companies may file for bankruptcy protection
- New asbestos trusts may form
- Existing trust payment percentages may be adjusted
Individuals who believe they have experienced exposure from an asbestos company should speak with an experienced mesothelioma law firm.