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Crown Cork and Seal Company

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

Crown Cork and Seal did not produce asbestos products; however, its asbestos liability stems from the acquisition of the Mundet Corporation in 1963. Mundet was responsible for manufacturing asbestos cement and insulation used in various commercial applications.

Workers and families impacted by exposure to Mundet asbestos products may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation.

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Key Information

  • Compensation: If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related illness as a result of exposure to Mundet asbestos products or activities, you may be eligible for compensation.
  • Products: Mundet manufactured and sold asbestos-contaminated block insulation, cement, and pipe coverings for commercial use.
  • Occupations: In addition to putting Mundet employees and their families at risk, end users such as construction workers, pipefitters, and insulators are also at heightened risk for asbestos-related diseases.
  • Get Help Today: Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation to determine your eligibility for compensation against Crown Cork and Seal.

Crown Cork and Seal & Asbestos Exposure

The Crown Cork and Seal Company was founded in 1892 when William Painter patented the now ubiquitous “crown cork” bottle cap. Crown Cork never used asbestos to manufacture its products; its asbestos liability stems from its 1963 acquisition of the Mundet Corporation.

Mundet operated with two divisions: one that produced cork-lined bottle caps and another that manufactured asbestos-containing insulation and cement products. While Mundet ceased production of its asbestos products in 1963, the same year it was acquired, Crown Cork and Seal inherited the liability for these products.

Just 93 days after the acquisition, Crown Cork sold the insulation and cement division of Mundet. However, due to legal obligations, Crown Cork and Seal remains responsible for the asbestos-related activities and products associated with Mundet.

Individuals who had frequent and prolonged exposure to Mundet’s asbestos cement and insulation products — such as Mundet factory workers, construction and demolition professionals, and U.S. Navy veterans — are now at elevated risk of developing serious asbestos-related diseases.

– Daniel Wasserberg, Attorney
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Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos is a family of six minerals with similar properties. All varieties of asbestos separate into thin, durable stands that are highly resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity. These characteristics led to broad manufacturing use during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Unfortunately, asbestos is a deadly carcinogen, a fact that manufacturers like Mundet were well aware of. Mundet and others like them chose to continue using asbestos despite the significant risk to employees and consumers.  

When asbestos is mined, disturbed, or damaged, its fibers become airborne. Inhaled or ingested, these toxic particles can irritate body tissues, leading to scarring and DNA alterations that may trigger the development of life-threatening diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the thin linings surrounding various organs. It is particularly deadly and expensive to treat. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos-related illnesses:

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Financial Compensation From Crown Cork and Seal

Crown Cork and Seal has never filed for bankruptcy or established an asbestos trust fund to handle their liabilities. However, injured workers and their families impacted by exposure to Mundet asbestos products and activities may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation. 

Most victims pursue legal compensation by filing an asbestos lawsuit.

There are two primary types of lawsuits 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.

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

Because the use of asbestos products was widespread, many victims can seek compensation from multiple companies. 

A good asbestos lawyer can help you identify and pursue reparations from all the parties responsible for your illness, maximizing your potential compensation while holding negligent manufacturers accountable.

Asbestos Lawsuits Against Crown Cork and Seal

Shipfitter

In 2012, a Louisiana jury awarded $12 million to a retired shipfitter and iron worker who developed mesothelioma due to occupational asbestos exposure. Crown Cork was deemed 33% responsible due to the victim’s regular exposure to Mundet-manufactured asbestos pipe coverings.

Oil Refinery Worker

A California jury awarded $5 million in combined compensatory and punitive damages to the family of an oil refinery worker who died of mesothelioma. The victim had been exposed to asbestos particles from Mundet insulation during their work at the refinery.

Pipefitter

A welder’s helper and pipefitter in Texas developed mesothelioma after years of exposure to asbestos products manufactured by Mundet and others. When he brought a lawsuit against them, Crown Cork and Seal initially succeeded in dodging responsibility for their subsidiary.

After his death, his heirs succeeded in appealing, and the court granted partial summary judgment, establishing Crown Cork’s liability for Mundet’s asbestos-containing products.

U.S. Navy Boiler Tender

When the victim, diagnosed with mesothelioma, and his wife filed their lawsuit in 2002, Crown Cork acknowledged liability for compensatory damages. However, changes to the Texas legal code, which limited the liability of companies that acquired asbestos-producing businesses but did not continue manufacturing asbestos products, complicated the case.

The company sought to apply the new ruling retroactively, attempting to deny responsibility. After years of legal battles, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2010.

Crown Cork and Seal paid $21 million to settle asbestos lawsuits in 2022 and $17 million in settlements in 2023. According to its 2023 annual report, Crown Cork’s total accrual for pending and future asbestos-related claims and related legal costs was $204 million, including $158 million for unasserted claims.

– Daniel Wasserberg, Attorney
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Mundet Products That Contained Asbestos

Mundet Corporation produced asbestos products from the 1950s until 1963, specializing in asbestos insulation and cement products commonly used in commercial construction. 

The company primarily used chrysotile asbestos, incorporating it into products to enhance durability and improve heat, chemical, and fire resistance. When Crown Cork and Seal acquired Mundet in 1963, it inherited the associated asbestos liability.

Mundet products that contained asbestos:

  • Mundet Asbestos Cement
  • Mundet Block Insulation
  • Mundet Cork 85% Magnesia Asbestos Insulation
  • Mundet Mineral Wool Finishing Cement
  • Mundet Mineral Wool Insulating Cement
  • Mundet Pipe Covering

Occupations At-Risk 

Mundet employees were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos while working to manufacture contaminated products. 

Additionally, the end users of Mundet asbestos products who installed, repaired, or maintained equipment or facilities where dangerous products were installed face an elevated risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.

High-risk occupations include:

Check Your Compensation Eligibility Now

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

Step 3 of 3

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

Contact me by *
Your information will be kept private

Asbestos fibers cling to hair, skin, and clothing. Many asbestos workers brought these dangerous particles home from work with them, putting their loved ones and family members at risk of asbestos illness due to secondary exposure in the home. 

Get Help Today 

Asbestos is a highly toxic carcinogen that can lead to severe illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and more. Companies that used asbestos were aware of its dangers but chose to prioritize profits over the health and safety of workers and consumers.

If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related illness due to exposure to Mundet products or activities, you may be eligible for various forms of compensation. Our experienced legal partners are here to guide you through your options, crafting a personalized legal strategy tailored to the specifics of your case.

Let us help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our team today for access to free resources, support, and a complimentary case evaluation.

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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.

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