Durabla Manufacturing Company History of Asbestos Use
Durabla Manufacturing Company is a sealing products manufacturer founded in New York City in 1911. Durabla used asbestos in its gaskets and sheets from 1913 to 2003. Sometimes, products contained more than 80% asbestos.
In its early years, it made valves for reciprocating pumps. The U.S. Navy used these valves, as did the Manhattan Project when it developed the first atomic bombs. From 1914 to 1973, Durabla also distributed sheet gaskets for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Durabla relocated to Pennsylvania in 1969. After moving to a couple of locations, it settled in Exton, Pennsylvania, in 1985. Now called DFT, the company continues to produce a variety of valves.
Durabla also has an international presence. It founded a subsidiary, Durabla Canada Ltd., in 1922. Durabla Canada specializes in gasket materials. Since 1973, it has been headquartered in Belleville, Ontario.
As a result of its asbestos use, many people brought legal actions against Durabla for asbestos exposures that caused them to develop mesothelioma. After facing numerous asbestos lawsuits, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2010. It created its asbestos trust fund in 2012.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Durabla Manufacturing Company Asbestos Trust Fund
Like many other asbestos companies, Durabla Manufacturing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for reorganization following numerous asbestos lawsuits brought against the company. As part of the process, they created an asbestos bankruptcy trust fund with Durabla Canada Ltd.
The trust set an intake period for claim submissions that began on February 7, 2020, and ended on March 8, 2024. However, no claims have been processed or paid to date due to uncertainty around claim volume and available assets. Currently, the trust is in the process of determining the payment percentage and assessing any additional actions required to meet the purposes of the Trust. A claimant’s compensation may vary according to various factors, including age, exposure history, diagnosis and the firm’s settlement history.
Current Durabla Manufacturing Company Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage
The trust set an initial payment percentage of 26% for claims that were filed during the designated intake period. The payment percentage is currently being reviewed by the trust and may be subject to change.
Durabla Manufacturing Company Asbestos Products
Durabla made a handful of sealing products with asbestos, mostly gaskets, starting in 1913. The company only discontinued supplying asbestos products in 2003. The mineral added durability and resistance to heat and fire to the products. Its flexibility also made it possible to weave its fibers into cloth for sheet packing.
Some Durabla sheet packing was made up of more than 80% asbestos fibers. These asbestos products exposed many workers to the dangerous mineral.
| Product Name | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|
| Durabla Black Compressed Gasket Material | 1913 | 2003 |
| Durabla Nitrile Gasket Material | ||
| Durabla Penpak Compressed Gasket Material | 1982 | 2003 |
| Durabla Universal Black Gasket Material |
Durabla Manufacturing Company and Occupational Exposure
Durabla Manufacturing Company made products with asbestos, including gaskets and sheet packing. The company also used asbestos products in the manufacturing process to protect their employees and machinery from high temperatures.
Many Durabla employees faced asbestos exposure risks, as did workers at other companies who used Durabla products. Some affected fields include factory workers, machinists and others. Any amount of asbestos exposure may lead to an asbestos-related disease.
Some occupations impacted by Durabla Manufacturing Company’s asbestos use are:
- Air Force veterans
- Asbestos miners
- Boiler repairmen
- Brick masons
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Electrical engineers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Factory workers
- HVAC workers
- Industrial workers
- Insulators
- Machinists
- Mechanics
- Metal workers
- Mine workers
- Navy veterans
- Oil refinery workers
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Power plant workers
- Shipyard workers
- Steamfitters
- Steel workers
- Welders
Asbestos Lawsuits Against Durabla Manufacturing Company
Durabla Manufacturing Company received its first asbestos lawsuit in 1980. By 2010, it faced 108,000 lawsuits, causing it to file for bankruptcy. Such lawsuits are one way asbestos victims seek compensation from responsible companies for medical bills, lost wages and more. Lawsuits may either end in settlements or verdicts.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine the best legal options for your case. Patients exposed to asbestos from Durabla may be able to file lawsuits against companies that used Durabla products.
