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Asbestos Companies

Fact checked and legally reviewed by Samuel Meirowitz • Contributor & Legal Advisor

Asbestos was widely used to enhance products' tensile strength and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. Despite its known dangers, many companies relied on it as a cost-effective solution for manufacturing challenges.

Workers harmed by asbestos exposure and their families may be eligible for compensation through lawsuits, trust funds, or other legal avenues.

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Asbestos was used by hundreds of manufacturers in a wide range of products, from building materials and car parts to industrial goods and protective clothing, infiltrating nearly every aspect of American life.  

Exposure to asbestos leads to serious illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Despite knowing the risks to workers and consumers, many manufacturers prioritized profits over safety.  

Workers and their family members affected by asbestos-related diseases have the right to seek compensation from these negligent companies. Victims can file personal injury lawsuits or access asbestos trust funds, which provide a faster, less stressful route to compensation without going to trial.

Fill out the form below to see if you or your loved one may be eligible for financial compensation.

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List of Bankrupt Asbestos Companies With Established Trust Funds

Frequently denied access to funds and benefits through workers’ compensation, workers injured as a result of asbestos exposure began suing their former employers in the 1970s. As the dangers of asbestos became more well-known and understood, negligent asbestos companies were swamped by overwhelming amounts of litigation. 

Unable to meet their legal liabilities, many companies avoided responsibility by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Asbestos companies that file for bankruptcy are obligated to establish personal injury trust funds to compensate all current and future victims of their negligence. 

These asbestos trust funds are run by a court-appointed board of trustees responsible for reviewing claims and overseeing the trust’s finances. Filing a claim against an asbestos trust fund is one of the fastest ways for eligible asbestos exposure victims to receive compensation.

Asbestos companies with trust funds:

List of Asbestos Companies Still In Operation

Not all asbestos companies have trust funds. Many asbestos product manufacturers are still in operation, having never filed for bankruptcy. Although these companies no longer use asbestos in their products or processes, they are still responsible for those injured by past activities.

The only way to receive compensation from one of these companies is to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against them. Most asbestos lawsuits end in a settlement without ever going to trial. 

Working with an experienced asbestos attorney can help you understand your potential options for compensation. 

Asbestos companies without trust funds:

Check Your Compensation Eligibility Now

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Were you or your family member diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness?

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Based on your answers, it seems like you may have a potential claim. How can we get in touch to confirm your eligibility?

Your information will be kept private

History of the Asbestos Industry

Asbestos, known for its heat resistance and durability, played a crucial role in many construction projects in the early 1900s, helping business owners and executives amass significant fortunes. Used extensively in shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing, asbestos placed workers at high risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma.  

Even as scientific research began to highlight the harmful effects of asbestos, many manufacturers were slow to respond, prioritizing profits over people. In fact, some actively worked to suppress or discredit studies linking asbestos to serious health risks.  

By the mid-20th century, the growing body of evidence led to widespread awareness of the dangers of asbestos. This sparked a wave of personal injury claims and lawsuits in the 1970s, forcing numerous asbestos manufacturers into bankruptcy.  

Asbestos laws and regulations continue to evolve, and victims of asbestos exposure still have options for seeking compensation. If you or a loved one has been affected, consulting with an experienced asbestos lawyer can help you understand your rights and potential legal options.

Occupations Affected By Asbestos Manufacturers

Asbestos was widely used across various industries, putting workers at risk of exposure.  

Many former asbestos product manufacturers keep records of professions and job sites where workers were particularly vulnerable to asbestos exposure. However, anyone who worked with or around asbestos-containing products faces some level of risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

High-risk occupations include:

Most Common Products Created With Asbestos

Throughout much of the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in various products and applications, impacting numerous industries and professions.

Individuals who frequently worked with or used the following asbestos-containing products are at a higher risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses.

Common asbestos products:

  • Automotive parts: Brake parts, gaskets, and valves contained asbestos due to its strength and heat resistance.
  • Cement sheets: Cement sheets were easier to install and more durable than drywall. Asbestos was added to increase durability and heat resistance.
  • Cigarette filters: Many popular cigarette brands used filters laced with crocidolite, the most dangerous type of asbestos.
  • Fireproofing: Fireproof asbestos products included textiles — ranging from kitchen aprons to firefighting gear — cement, flooring, roofing, sealants, and more. 
  • Gaskets: Asbestos-containing gaskets were used in heat-generating engines and heavy equipment to create a seal between pipes or pieces of machinery.
  • Insulation: Due to its resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals, asbestos was considered an ideal insulator. It was used in homes and businesses nationwide and came in many forms, such as bricks, spray foams, sheets, and fiberglass. 
  • Molded plastic products: Asbestos was added to moldable plastics to increase tensile strength and reduce shrinkage when cooling.
  • Plaster: For fire resistance and tensile strength, asbestos was added to drywall mud, repair plaster, putty, tape, and other commonly used construction products.
  • Talcum powder: Talc and asbestos are naturally found near each other, and during mining, asbestos often contaminated the talc used in beauty and personal care products like baby powder and makeup.
  • Tile: Floor, ceiling, and roofing tiles contained asbestos. Tile glue also frequently contained asbestos. 
  • Vinyl: Adding asbestos makes vinyl more durable and flexible.

Some asbestos products are more hazardous than others. The type of asbestos used, its form, and the degree of bodily contact make some products high-risk while others are relatively low-risk.

However, there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. All exposure creates an increased risk of asbestos-related disease development.

Regulation Changes to Asbestos Usage

For most of the 20th Century, asbestos use was completely unregulated. Asbestos companies worked hard to suppress research that showed how dangerous asbestos was for workers and end users. Efforts to regulate asbestos use and removal are still ongoing.

A timeline of government asbestos regulation in the United States:

  • 1918: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report revealing that asbestos workers are at high risk of early death.
  • 1970: The Clean Air Act was passed, which allowed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate asbestos.
  • 1976: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) further regulated asbestos development, use, and disposal.
  • 1989: The EPA issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule.
  • 1991: The U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the EPA’s asbestos ban.
  • 2002: Asbestos mining in the United States ended.
  • 2018: Under the Trump administration, the EPA relaxed some restrictions on asbestos use against the advice of their own scientists.
  • 2024: The EPA banned importing and using chrysotile asbestos but gave companies 12 years to phase it out.

Asbestos Usage Today

Today, asbestos use in the U.S. is minimal. It’s primarily used during chemical processing, specifically in the diaphragm of chloralkali plants for the electrolysis of NaCl (sodium chloride). 

The highest risk of asbestos exposure in the U.S. now comes from asbestos that was manufactured decades ago and remains in older buildings and classic cars. 

More than 55 countries have banned asbestos. However, many other countries — including Russia, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Khazakstan — still mine asbestos and manufacture and use asbestos products. 

Financial Compensation for Asbestos Exposure

Financial compensation may be available if you or someone you love has been injured by asbestos exposure. Victims can file personal injury lawsuits, submit claims to asbestos trust funds, and seek compensation through government programs and organizations like workers’ compensation and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Who can seek compensation:

  • Asbestos workers
  • Consumers or users of asbestos products
  • Bereaved family members and loved ones
  • Victims of secondary asbestos exposure

No matter your situation, you don’t have to face it alone. The expert asbestos attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg are here to guide you through your options and help you seek the maximum compensation possible.

Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers assist clients at every step of the compensation process, handling the complex paperwork and strict deadlines so you can focus on what matters most — your health and family.

At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, we regularly secure over $1 million in compensation for clients, funds that many victims urgently need to cover medical bills and provide financial security for their families.

If you’re ready to explore your potential compensation options, contact us today for a free case assessment.

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Written & Legally Reviewed By

Samuel Meirowitz

Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Samuel Meirowitz is a member of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers.” Mr. Meirowitz was named a “Rising Star” in 2013 & 2014 by Super Lawyers and then a Super Lawyer every year since 2016. In 2013, Mr. Meirowitz obtained what is believed to be the first multi-million-dollar asbestos verdict seen in more than two decades in a New York federal court. In that highly contentious matter, Mr. Meirowitz was able to convince the jury to hold a boiler manufacturer responsible for 60 percent of the $3.8 million awarded, despite the defendant’s attempt to escape all blame by pointing fingers at the plaintiff’s employer and the U.S. Navy (in which the plaintiff admirably served from 1966-70 during the Vietnam conflict). This verdict was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

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