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Buffalo Pumps, Inc.

Fact checked and legally reviewed by Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. • Contributor & Legal Advisor

Buffalo Pumps, Inc. manufactured asbestos-contaminated pump systems for industrial and maritime use until the 1980s, putting thousands of workers, U.S. Navy Veterans, and consumers at risk.

If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure from Buffalo Pumps, you may be eligible for financial compensation.

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Buffalo Pumps, Inc. & Asbestos Exposure

Founded in 1887, Buffalo Pumps reportedly began incorporating asbestos components into its products early on. Known for its heat resistance and durability, asbestos was used in gaskets, insulation, valves, and packing for the company’s widely used marine and commercial pump systems.

Buffalo Pumps became a major supplier to the U.S. military during World War I. It continued supplying the military with marine pump systems during World War II when its products were used on Liberty model cargo ships and aircraft carriers. 

In 1979, Buffalo Pumps, Inc. was acquired by the Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation. It continued using asbestos components until the 1980s, endangering thousands of employees, veterans, and consumers. The company is still in operation today.

Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos is a group of six minerals with similar properties. All varieties of asbestos separate into thin, durable strands that are nonconductive and resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. These properties made it a popular manufacturing additive despite its well-known dangers.

All forms of asbestos are toxic and carcinogenic, but some varieties are more dangerous than others. Buffalo Pumps primarily used chrysotile asbestos, and a large part of the company’s legal defense strategy revolves around the idea that it is a less hazardous variety. 

However, there is no genuinely safe form of asbestos or amount of exposure. All asbestos exposure is dangerous and can cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, decades after exposure occurs.

Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly type of cancer that occurs in the thin linings surrounding various organs. It is expensive to treat, costing an average of $400,000 out of pocket per year. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos-related illnesses:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Asbestosis 
• Other cancer
• Pleural effusions
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural thickening

Financial Compensation From Buffalo Pumps, Inc.

Buffalo Pumps has never declared bankruptcy or established an asbestos trust fund. Instead, the company continues to litigate claims in court to this day. Most Buffalo Pumps asbestos exposure victims pursue legal compensation by filing an asbestos lawsuit.

There are two primary types of lawsuits that victims can use to seek compensation:

• 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.

According to Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation’s 2023 year-end report, the company still had 3,361 active asbestos claims unresolved at the end of this period, down from 7,542 new and pending claims at the beginning of the year. It receives over a thousand new claims annually. 

Victims may also be eligible for other forms of compensation, including:

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

Victims of asbestos exposure in high-risk professions were often exposed to products from multiple manufacturers. Because asbestos was widely used across various industries, many individuals may be eligible to seek compensation from multiple companies responsible for their exposure.

Mounting Asbestos Lawsuits Against Buffalo Pumps, Inc.

Buffalo Pumps and its parent company, the Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation, still face significant asbestos liabilities. According to internal documents, the company has accrued liabilities of $238.7 million, $24 million of which is current and $214.7 million long-term.

The company has a long history of seeking summary judgments to have cases dismissed or settling out of court for undisclosed amounts when this is not possible.

Don’t let your right to compensation expire; reach out to our team of asbestos experts today.

Edward Merwitz

Mr. Merwitz worked as a shipfitter at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the late 1960s. After his death from mesothelioma, his family was awarded $7.25 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against Buffalo Pumps and eight other defendants.

Michele Salvemini

Mr. Salvemini filed suit after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, which he believed stemmed from his work as a marine engineer and shipyard mechanical worker from 1974 to 2007.

His wife continued the lawsuit without success after he died in 2020. The court granted summary judgment in favor of Buffalo Pumps in 2025, citing the inability of the claimant to prove a strong connection between specific Buffalo Pumps products and his illness. 

William Praytor

Mr. Praytor died of asbestos lung cancer in 2016 after facing occupational exposure from 1970 to 1995. His widow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Buffalo Pumps and others, seeking damages of more than $50,000.

Richard Cunningham

Mr. Cunningham worked aboard Navy vessels as a machinist’s mate, where he was exposed to asbestos-contaminated products while servicing pumps and other equipment in naval boiler rooms. He filed suit after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Buffalo Pumps initially succeeded in dismissing the claim. However, the plaintiff and his legal team won the right to appeal and continue pursuing compensation.

Buffalo Pumps, Inc. Products Containing Asbestos

Buffalo Pumps’ marine and commercial pump systems needed to operate in high-stress, high-heat environments. The company used asbestos-contaminated components, such as gaskets, packing, valves, and insulation, to provide durability and heat resistance to vulnerable areas.

When asbestos-contaminated products are disturbed, dangerous particles are released, which can cause serious illness when inhaled or ingested.  

Buffalo Pumps, Inc. Asbestos-Contaminated Pump Systems:

• Single Suction Full Ball Bearing Pumps: Class CH, CL, CM, CS, CO, and CSS
• Double Suction Full Ball Bearing Pumps: Class SA, S, SLH, SU, DSS, and SW
• Paper Stock Pumps: Class DS and DSH
• Sewage Pumps: Class E, RS, and RSL
• Multistage Pumps: Class RR-2 and RR-4

Occupations At Risk

Many Buffalo Pumps asbestos-contaminated parts and systems required regular servicing, cleaning, replacement, and repair. Those responsible for these duties, as well as those nearby when such actions occurred, all face a high risk of asbestos-related illnesses.

The loved ones and family members of asbestos workers are also at risk from secondary, or take-home, asbestos exposure. 

High-risk occupations:

• Boilermakers
• Construction workers
• Engineers
• Factory workers
• Furnace operators
• HVAC workers
• Insulators
• Machinists 
• Maintenance workers
• Miners
• Navy veterans
• Oil refinery workers
• Plumbers
• Power plant workers
• Papermill workers
• Sewage treatment facility workers
• Shipyard workers
• Steamfitters
• Welders

Get Help Today 

Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma can bring significant financial, physical, and emotional challenges. The costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure, exploring your legal options can help you seek financial relief.

Companies like Buffalo Pumps knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure and chose to keep using it, endangering thousands of innocent employees and consumers. Even now, many of these companies will do anything to avoid taking responsibility for their negligence.

Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the claims process and seek accountability from negligent asbestos companies. We offer free resources and expert support to guide you every step of the way, making the process as straightforward as possible.

Getting help takes minutes, but the results can last a lifetime. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and discover if you may be eligible for compensation from Buffalo Pumps, Inc.