Eaton Corporation & Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Exposure at Eaton Corporation

Eaton Corporation started as a machine shop in New Jersey more than 100 years ago. Since then, it has acquired many different businesses in several industries. Notable purchases include Cutler-Hammer Inc. and a portion of Westinghouse Electric’s distribution branch. It currently has hydraulics, electronics, plastics and automotive business units.

Some of Eaton’s acquisitions brought asbestos litigation with them. The hydraulics, plastics and electronics arms have all been subject to asbestos exposure lawsuits. Eaton workers faced a variety of asbestos risks because of the company’s diverse business activities. Some reported exposure to clouds of asbestos dust during plastics manufacturing. Others were exposed while building brake assemblies from asbestos-contaminated parts.

Eaton Corporation Quick Facts

• Eaton Corporation was founded in 1911 as a machine shop by Joseph Oriel Eaton.
• It has hydraulics, electronics, automotive and plastic molding branches, all of which used asbestos at one time.
• Several of its business units have been sued for on-the-job asbestos exposure, resulting in millions of dollars in compensation for the victims.
• Its global sales reached nearly $25 billion in 2024.

Eaton Corporation Jobsite Locations With Known Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure has been documented at some Eaton jobsites. But employees at other locations might have also been exposed. The Cutler-Hammer facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, may be the most well-known site of Eaton asbestos exposure. This plastics manufacturing location operated for more than 40 years. From about 1965 to the mid-1980s, it used a starting material that contained asbestos. Many employees at this facility were exposed to the mineral as a result.

High-Risk Occupations at Eaton Corporation

Many workers faced asbestos exposure at Eaton facilities, which put them at risk of mesothelioma and other cancers. Asbestos-contaminated dust was present in the plastics molding rooms at Cutler-Hammer. And employees who put together brake assemblies may have worked around asbestos debris.

Occupations at risk of asbestos exposure from Eaton jobs and products include:

• Electrical engineers
• Electricians
• Industrial workers
• Injection molding specialists
• Insulators
• Machine operators
• Maintenance workers
• Mechanics
• Plastics engineers
• Veterans

Workers may have also brought asbestos home on their clothing or equipment. This type of secondary exposure can put family members at risk of asbestos illnesses.

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Asbestos Products Used at Eaton Corporation

Eaton makes electrical and automotive components that have to withstand high temperatures. Manufacturers commonly used asbestos in these products to help make them resist heat. Until about 1985, asbestos was included in molded plastic parts made at Eaton’s Cutler-Hammer site. Brake assemblies and hydraulic components also contained asbestos.

Asbestos products used at Eaton locations may include:

• Brakes
• Clutches
• Electrical components
• Gaskets
• Hydraulic equipment
• Insulation

Eaton may have used many more asbestos-containing materials than those listed above. An experienced asbestos attorney can help trace other asbestos products used at Eaton locations.
Have a Question About Asbestos Exposure and Eaton Corporation? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question

Compensation for Eaton Corporation Employees With Mesothelioma

Eaton workers who developed asbestos cancers, like mesothelioma, may be eligible for compensation. Lawsuits and trust fund claims can help cover medical costs, lost wages and more.

A mesothelioma lawsuit can end with a jury verdict or settlement. Certain suppliers of asbestos components have established trust funds to compensate victims. A skilled asbestos law firm can explain your options and determine the best avenue for your case.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Many Eaton Corporation locations have been identified as known asbestos exposure sites by bankrupt asbestos companies that established trust funds. Its top location was Saginaw, Michigan.

Other Eaton Corporation facilities identified by asbestos bankruptcy trust funds include the following locations:

• Beaver and Philadelphia, PA
• Bowling Green and Cynthiana, KY
• Cleveland, OH
• Deer Park, NY
• Humboldt, TN
• Milwaukee, WI
• Shenandoah, IA

Asbestos Lawsuits

Some Eaton employees have developed mesothelioma after working with or around asbestos. Several filed lawsuits that ended in substantial verdicts. Lawyers can file asbestos lawsuits on behalf of a victim currently battling cancer. Surviving loved ones can also file a wrongful death lawsuit if the victim passes away.

Examples of jury verdicts from Eaton asbestos lawsuits include:

• $27.5 million for a professor who developed mesothelioma
• $15.6 million for an electrician who developed mesothelioma

Eaton employees who develop cancer should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. Their attorney can review the legal options and help choose the best one for securing compensation. In many cases, asbestos victims can make trust fund claims and file a lawsuit.