Garlock Sealing Technologies
Garlock Sealing Technologies was founded in 1887. Garlock’s gaskets and packing materials contained asbestos from 1907 to 1980. Many people were exposed to the company’s products and developed related diseases. Garlock has faced thousands of asbestos lawsuits and opened a trust fund to handle claims.
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Garlock Sealing Technologies History of Asbestos Use
Garlock Sealing Technologies started using asbestos in its products as early as 1907. These products were used widely in engines, boilers and other machinery with valves that needed to be leakproof.
Olin J. Garlock founded Garlock Sealing Technologies in 1887 in Palmyra, New York. Garlock originally built his business model on manufacturing sealing rods for industrial steam engines. Over time, the company expanded its product offering to include gaskets, pipe packing and tape.
Garlock products were heavily used during World War II. Many Navy shipyards used gaskets, packing and sealing materials to insulate pipes and other machinery aboard ships and to prevent leaks.
Garlock continually expanded its product lines following the war. As its sales skyrocketed, the company eventually became the largest producer of packing materials in the United States. Throughout this time, Garlock continued to use asbestos in various products it manufactured.
In 1976, Garlock was acquired by Colt Industries, a firearms manufacturer. After the acquisition, Garlock continued to use asbestos for some time. The company reportedly halted its asbestos use in 1980.
In 1987, Garlock acquired another company with a long history of asbestos use, Anchor Packing Company. The acquisition came just three years after Anchor Packing Company had stopped manufacturing asbestos products of its own.
Anchor Packing Company closed its doors in 1993, and as its owner, Garlock took over its liabilities. Garlock and Anchor Packing Company have faced hundreds of thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits because of their asbestos use.
In 2003, Garlock became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enpro Industries and filed for bankruptcy in 2010. A trust fund was established in 2017 to handle Garlock and Anchor Packing Company’s asbestos claims. Garlock Sealing Technologies still operates today under the Enpro umbrella.
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Garlock Sealing Technologies Asbestos Products
Garlock manufactured many different types of products. Many of these products contained asbestos. Garlock’s asbestos products included gaskets, packing, mechanical seals and a limited run of asbestos cloths and textiles.
Some of Garlock’s products contained asbestos as early as 1907. The company used asbestos to increase durability and resistance to fire and heat. The products were sold under various brand names, such as Garlock, Blue-Gard, Gylon and Flexseal.
| Product Name | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|
| Garlock Asbestos Packing | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Asbestos Tape | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Chemiseal Jacketed Gasket | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Compressed Asbestos Sheet Gasket | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Garfite 200 Graphite Filament Packing | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Insulation Tape | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Lattice Braid Packing | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Plastallic Packing | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Plasti-Pak Packing | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Pre-Cut Gasket | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Rope | ||
| Garlock Spiral Plasti-Thread Seal Tape | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Spiral Wound Gasket | 1907 | 1980 |
| Garlock Valve Stem Packing |
Did You Know?
Mesothelioma victims may be eligible for compensation from more than one asbestos trust fund.
Filing a claim with one trust does not impact your eligibility for compensation from another trust fund.
Garlock Sealing Technologies and Occupational Exposure
Because of Garlock’s use of asbestos, many of the company’s employees risked exposure. Garlock employees involved in manufacturing these products often had a higher risk of asbestos exposure. Any amount of asbestos exposure may lead to an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma cancer.
Many industries used these products, including:
- Chemical processing
- Construction
- Papermaking
- Power generation
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Waste treatment
Garlock’s asbestos-containing products were most commonly used in construction applications, aboard naval ships and on trains. Naval shipyard workers, veterans and construction workers were among the most likely to be exposed to asbestos on the job from Garlock products.
- Boilermakers
- Chemical plant workers
- Construction workers
- Contractors
- Engineers
- Factory workers
- Mechanics
- Navy veterans
- Oil refinery workers
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Railroad workers
- Sheet packers
- Shipyard workers
- Steamfitters
- Veterans
- Welders
Garlock’s gaskets were its most prominent product, and they were made with asbestos. The gaskets could release asbestos fibers into the air when damaged or removed. Workers who cut, hammered or removed gaskets made by Garlock or maintained nearby products may have been exposed.
To remove a gasket, workers had to pry the gasket off using implements like putty knives. They would then brush away any gasket residue and remove any insulation, which could also contain asbestos, around the joint or valve. The entire process released asbestos fibers into the air, exposing workers and others in the area.
Asbestos Litigation Against Garlock Sealing Technologies
Garlock Sealing Technologies faced thousands of lawsuits because of its asbestos-containing products and those of its subsidiary, Anchor Packing Company. In 2008 alone, Garlock reported $37 million in asbestos payments. By 2010, the company reportedly paid more than $1.4 billion in mesothelioma settlements and lawsuit verdicts from 900,000 asbestos claims.
One notable mesothelioma lawsuit involving Garlock products was decided in 2009. A Philadelphia jury awarded $17 million to the families of two deceased mesothelioma patients. The patients had worked around asbestos products for many years, including Crane Co. valves and Garlock gaskets. Evidence presented at trial revealed Garlock’s gaskets were made of up to 90% asbestos.
After many years of asbestos litigation costs in the millions, Garlock filed for bankruptcy in 2010. However, it would take until 2018 for the company’s asbestos bankruptcy trust fund to be open for claims.
In the meantime, Garlock continued to be named in lawsuits. For example, in 2012, a paper mill worker filed a lawsuit after being diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. He had worked as a boiler mechanic at a mill in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, where he was exposed to Garlock’s asbestos cement, gaskets and packing materials. The jury ruled in favor of the worker with a $12 million verdict. The case was settled for an unspecified amount following the verdict.
Questions About Filing a Claim Against Garlock Sealing Technologies? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question
Garlock Sealing Technologies Asbestos Trust Fund
Garlock Sealing Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2010. Garlock’s bankruptcy reorganization plan was approved on June 12, 2017, and the company moved forward with establishing an asbestos trust fund for their asbestos-related liabilities.
The Garlock Sealing Technologies Settlement Facility trust fund began accepting asbestos claims in September 2018. It accepts claims for individuals harmed by Garlock and Anchor Packing Company products. The trust was initially funded with $480 million.
People who develop asbestos-related illnesses after exposure to Garlock or Anchor Packing Company products may be eligible to file a claim with the trust. Claims are then processed and may result in compensation. The Garlock trust does not have a payment percentage but assesses claims based on the severity of exposure and disease.
The maximum reward amounts for mesothelioma victims were increased in 2021. However, actual payment amounts may vary based on numerous factors, including age, disease severity, exposure history and firm asbestos settlement history. Victims should talk to a mesothelioma lawyer to learn more about filing a claim against the trust and other legal options they may have.
Sources
Cision PR Newswire. Garlock Sealing Technologies Moves Toward a Permanent Resolution of Asbestos Litigation.
EnPro Industries. 2008 Annual Report.
Garlock. About Us.
Garlock Settlement Facility. Garlock Bankruptcy Overview of the Disclosure Statement and the Plan of Reorganization.
Garlock Settlement Facility. Garlock Opening Announcement.
Garlock Settlement Facility. GST SETTLEMENT FACILITY HIGHEST POTENTIAL SETTLEMENT OFFER BY DISEASE AND CONTACT GROUP.
Garlock Settlement Facility. GST SETTLEMENT FACILITY NOTICE OF INCREASE TO MAXIMUM SETTLEMENT VALUES.
Garlock Settlement Facility. Instructions for Completing the GST Settlement Facility Proof of Claim Form.
Garlock Settlement Facility. SETTLEMENT FACILITY SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CLAIMS RESOLUTION PROCEDURES.
Reuters. EnPro, Garlock reach $480 million settlement on asbestos claims.
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Tara Strand specializes in writing content about mesothelioma and asbestos. She focuses on topics like mesothelioma awareness, research, treatment, asbestos trust funds and other advocacy efforts.
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For more than two decades, Jennifer Lucarelli has served as Legal Advisor at Mesothelioma.com. She has advocated for more than 1,000 asbestos victims, securing millions in settlements and helping them access quality medical care.
