Asbestos Exposure at Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Tractor Company resulted from the 1925 merger between two tractor manufacturers. Both had been producing innovative farming equipment for decades. One company specialized in steam-powered machines. The other pioneered track-based equipment that overcame the shortcomings of regular wheels. Now, Caterpillar Inc. is one of the world’s largest producers of mining equipment, engines, turbines and locomotives.
For most of its existence, Caterpillar used asbestos in its products. From the 1920s to the 1990s, the company sold asbestos-containing brakes, gaskets and clutches. These items came preinstalled in machines and on their own as replacement parts. Many employees who built Caterpillar equipment were exposed to asbestos as a result. Mechanics who serviced these machines may have also faced exposure.
Caterpillar Inc. Quick Facts
- Caterpillar Inc. has been in business for more than 100 years.
- It is the world’s leading producer of construction and mining equipment.
- Construction and mining are prominent asbestos industries.
- The company operates on every continent in the world.
- Caterpillar machines included asbestos parts from the 1920s to 1990.
High-Risk Occupations at Caterpillar Inc.
Many employees faced asbestos exposure at Caterpillar, putting them at risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. Many workers who assembled machinery encountered airborne asbestos in their job areas. Mechanics who serviced Caterpillar machines also may have been exposed while repairing or swapping out parts.
Occupations at risk of asbestos exposure from Caterpillar equipment include:
- Construction workers
- Factory workers
- General laborers
- Industrial workers
- Machine operators
- Mechanics
- Warehouse workers
Employees who worked around asbestos may have accidentally carried it home on their clothes. Household members who touched the contaminated garments may have had secondary exposure.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Asbestos Products Used at Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar didn’t make its own asbestos products, but it did purchase and use them to build machines. Heavy equipment often creates friction and high temperatures. Many manufacturers used asbestos materials in this type of machinery to help protect it from heat. Asbestos products Caterpillar Inc. may have used include automotive parts like:
- Brakes
- Clutches
- Gaskets
Some reports indicate Caterpillar may have used asbestos cement in at least one of its buildings. It is important to keep in mind that this company could have used many other asbestos products. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help track down other asbestos materials used at Caterpillar. These attorneys know how to help clients find past sources of asbestos exposure.
Compensation for Caterpillar Inc. Employees With Mesothelioma
Caterpillar employees who developed asbestos cancers, like mesothelioma, may be eligible for compensation. Successful lawsuits or trust fund claims can help cover the costs of medical care, lost wages and more.
A mesothelioma lawsuit can result in a jury verdict or settlement. And some asbestos product suppliers have established trust funds for victims. An experienced asbestos law firm can explain these options and help you choose the best one.
“When the brick masons tore up firebrick dust was everywhere, and we all breathed it in.”
Caterpillar Plant Furnace Operator, 1968
East Peoria, Illinois
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos trust funds help ensure victims can seek compensation even if a company goes bankrupt. They continue paying claims for many years after an asbestos company closes. Caterpillar employees may be able to make trust fund claims against the suppliers responsible for their asbestos exposure.
Many Caterpillar locations are listed as asbestos exposure sites on other companies’ bankruptcy trust funds. Two of the top locations in Illinois are East Peoria and Mossville.
Caterpillar: East Peoria, IL
| Asbestos Company Name | Eligibility Start Date | Eligibility End Date |
| ACandS | 1/5/1971 | 12/31/1982 |
| Armstrong World Industries | 1/5/1971 | 12/31/1982 |
| Babcock & Wilcox | 6/1/1940 | 12/31/1982 |
| Eagle-Picher | ||
| Fibreboard | 12/31/1982 | |
| Halliburton | 1/1/1928 | 12/31/1982 |
| Keene Corporation | 1/1/1949 | 12/31/1982 |
Caterpillar: Mossville, IL
| Asbestos Company Name | Eligibility Start Date | Eligibility End Date |
| ACandS | 6/24/1969 | 12/31/1982 |
| Armstrong World Industries | 6/24/1969 | 12/31/1982 |
| Combustion Engineering | 1/1/1967 | 12/31/1982 |
| Eagle-Picher | ||
| Fibreboard | 12/31/1982 | |
| GAF Corporation | 5/3/1971 | 12/31/1982 |
| Owens Corning | 12/31/1982 |
Other Illinois Caterpillar facilities linked to asbestos bankruptcy trust funds include those in Aurora, Decatur, Joliet, Mapleton, Peoria and Springfield. Locations outside Illinois include San Leandro, CA; Davenport, IA; York, PA and Milwaukee, WI.
Asbestos Lawsuits
Some Caterpillar workers developed lung cancer or mesothelioma after their on-the-job asbestos exposure. A few have filed lawsuits that resulted in sizable verdicts. Asbestos lawsuits can be filed while a victim is alive, or surviving loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Examples of jury awards from Caterpillar cases include:
- $12.5 million for a mechanic who developed lung cancer
- $4.5 million for a heavy-duty mechanic who developed mesothelioma
Caterpillar employees who receive a cancer diagnosis should speak with an experienced asbestos lawyer. Their attorney can explain which legal options offer the best likelihood of securing compensation. They may even suggest pursuing more than one, since many victims file lawsuits and trust fund claims.
