AMETEK, Inc. 

AMETEK, Inc. & Asbestos Exposure

AMETEK was created by consolidating several smaller industrial businesses during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Initially called American Machine and Metals, Inc., the company changed its name to AMETEK in the 1960s, when it began acquiring niche technology and instrumentation companies.

One of these companies was Haveg Industries, acquired by AMETEK in 1980. Haveg manufactured resin and plastic products for industrial use. Many of these products contained asbestos, which was used to increase durability and prevent damage from heat and chemical corrosion.  

Like many asbestos companies, Haveg Industries used asbestos in its products for decades, although by the early 1990s, it had become the world’s largest producer of silica yarn, an asbestos replacement. 

AMETEK, though not a manufacturer of asbestos products itself, assumed responsibility for victims of past negligence due to its ownership of Haveg and several other legacy businesses that utilized asbestos.

Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos is a family of six minerals that share similar properties, hazards, and structure. All forms of asbestos are nonconductive, durable, and resistant to heat, fire, and chemical corrosion. These properties made it valuable in numerous industries throughout the 20th century.

Unfortunately, asbestos is also extremely hazardous. It easily separates into thin, microscopic strands when disturbed or used. These particles can remain suspended in the air in poorly ventilated areas for hours, making it easy for people to inhale or swallow them. 

Once asbestos enters the body, it does not degrade. It remains trapped in body tissues, where it can cause irritation, scarring, and genetic damage that can lead to serious illnesses decades after exposure occurred.     

Asbestos-related illnesses include:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural effusions
• Other forms of cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare and terminal cancer whose only known cause is asbestos exposure. It is incredibly expensive to treat, costing patients and their families an average of $400,000 out of pocket annually. Without compensation, many patients find it a difficult price to pay.   

Financial Compensation From AMETEK, Inc.

AMETEK has never declared bankruptcy or established an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. Injured workers and their family members seeking compensation from AMETEK must pursue it through the courts.

There are two primary types of lawsuits victims can use to hold negligent asbestos companies accountable:

• Personal injury lawsuit: Allows living victims of asbestos exposure to seek compensation for their losses.
• Wrongful death lawsuit: Allows the dependents or family members of deceased asbestos exposure victims to recover damages for the loss of their loved one.

Many victims can pursue compensation from more than one asbestos company. A reputable asbestos attorney can help you identify and seek compensation from all of the companies responsible for your injuries. Ensuring that all negligent companies are held accountable serves as a deterrent against future wrongdoing and maximizes your potential compensation.  

Your lawyer can also help you identify and apply for other forms of financial aid, including:

• Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Asbestos trust funds
• Workers’ compensation
• Treatment grants

Asbestos Lawsuits Against AMETEK, Inc. 

AMETEK’s primary asbestos liability is a result of its acquisitions, notably Haveg Industries. Although the company’s connection to asbestos is less direct, making accountability difficult without an experienced asbestos lawyer, it has still faced legal action from some plaintiffs.

Maria Patti

Maria Patti was exposed to asbestos from products manufactured and supplied by AMETEK to her employer, Grieco Brothers. After Maria developed mesothelioma, she and her husband filed suit against AMETEK, but the company succeeded in having the case dismissed on a technicality. 

Bruce Spillman

Bruce Spillman was a refinery and industrial worker who developed mesothelioma. In his lawsuit, he claimed that exposure to asbestos from multiple companies’ products (including AMETEK’s) and premises led to his illness.

After his death, his family continued the case as a wrongful death lawsuit. Although his family did not win their case, the court upheld their right to pursue workers’ compensation. 

Maynard Herman

Maynard Herman developed mesothelioma following occupational exposure to asbestos products linked to Haveg Industries. Although AMETEK initially attempted to deny responsibility for products sold before its acquisition, the court found that the plaintiff had presented sufficient evidence to suggest potential liability on AMETEK’s part, and the case was allowed to proceed. 

Rounsavall v. AMETEK

The case of Rounsavall v. AMETEK is an asbestos mass tort case involving product liability and personal injury claims against multiple defendants, including AMETEK.
Mass tort cases involve multiple plaintiffs (victims) who have experienced similar harm from a similar source. There is often limited information about the outcome of these claims, as many companies prefer to settle out of court.

Asbestos-Containing Products Used at AMETEK, Inc. 

AMETEK is not known for using asbestos in its products. However, several of its subsidiaries did use the dangerous mineral in their products, leaving AMETEK with ongoing legal responsibilities to their victims.

Asbestos-containing products connected to AMETEK include:

• 41 Resin Cement  
• 61 Resin Cement 
• Chemtite Piping 
• Haveg Cement Pipe 
• Haveg Transite Pipe

Occupations At-Risk

​​Like many major industrial manufacturers, AMETEK has connections to numerous industries and a broad, diversified reach. Its asbestos use and activities have impacted people in many professions.

High-risk occupations include:

• Construction workers  
• Demolition workers
• Factory workers
• Insulators
• Maintenance staff 
• Plumbers/pipefitters

Due to secondary or “take-home” exposure, the loved ones and family members of asbestos workers also face a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos particles can infiltrate the home, clinging to an employee’s hair, skin, and clothing. This exposes residents during routine household activities like doing laundry.

Get Help Today 

Mesothelioma and lung cancer, illnesses often linked to asbestos exposure, carry a high cost, not only in human life but also financially. The burden of diagnosis and treatment for these frequently deadly diseases causes significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship for individuals and their families.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Companies like AMETEK have a responsibility to the people they have harmed. The Mesothelioma Fund and our legal partners at Meirowitz & Wasserberg can help you pursue the financial assistance you may be due. 

Meirowitz & Wasserberg is a specialized personal injury law firm with decades of experience in asbestos law. The firm helps clients navigate the unique complexities of asbestos litigation, assisting them with every step of the process — from building the case to negotiating a fair settlement or taking the case to court.  

You can learn more about your eligibility for compensation and your potential case value through a free consultation. Reach out now to take the first step toward justice and financial security.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

Learn More