Crown Cork & Seal Company

Highest-Risk Occupations

Crown Cork and Seal’s subsidiary, Mundet, used asbestos from the 1950s until 1963, exposing employees during manufacturing.

End users of Mundet asbestos products who installed, repaired, or maintained equipment or facilities where such products were used also face an elevated risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. 

Who is At Highest Risk for Exposure?

There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure, but individuals who had frequent and prolonged exposure to Mundet’s asbestos-containing cement and insulation products face the highest risk of inhaling shed asbestos fibers during daily work tasks.

Factory Workers

Workers at Mundet plants were exposed to asbestos during the manufacturing process. Employees were responsible for mixing, cutting, and packaging asbestos insulation and cement, exposing them to dangerous asbestos dust.

Because asbestos particles can remain airborne for long periods, even those who did not directly handle asbestos materials face exposure risks. 

Construction Workers

When construction workers cut or applied Mudet asbestos products, such as block insulation, pipe coverings, and cement, they released asbestos fibers into the air.

Due to insufficient warnings about the dangers of asbestos, many workers did not wear protective equipment during construction, renovation, or demolition, thereby increasing the risk of inhalation. 

U.S. Navy Veterans

Naval vessels frequently used Mundet insulation and pipe covering in engine and boiler rooms. Those responsible for installing, repairing, or maintaining the equipment that used these asbestos-containing products were exposed to high levels of asbestos.

U.S. military veterans account for about 30% of asbestos diagnoses every year. 

Family Members Exposed Secondhand

Many asbestos workers brought dangerous asbestos particles home from work, unintentionally putting their loved ones and family members at risk of asbestos illness from secondary exposure.

Those injured by secondary exposure may be able to file personal injury lawsuits. Surviving loved ones may also be eligible for compensation through wrongful death lawsuits.

Crown Cork & Seal Company Asbestos Products

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

The company incorporated asbestos 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.

Top Asbestos-Containing Products

• 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

Securing Compensation From Crown Cork & Seal Company

Although Crown Cork and Seal sold off its asbestos interests 93 days after acquiring Mudet in 1963, it still retains liability for the harm caused by its subsidiary.

If you or a loved one worked with Mundet asbestos-containing products and has since been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation.

Because so many companies made and used asbestos products, some victims can seek compensation from multiple companies or trust funds.

Some claimants are also eligible for additional forms of compensation, such as VA benefits, workers’ compensation, and treatment grants. We can help you determine your eligibility and start your claim for free.

Determining who currently holds liability for past asbestos exposure can be a complex issue. Working with an experienced asbestos attorney who understands the legal landscape and the relationships between companies helps victims secure the maximum compensation they are due, while holding negligent companies accountable.

– Daniel Wasserberg, Attorney

Filing a Lawsuit

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

Very few asbestos lawsuits actually reach trial; most are settled out of court through negotiated payments. While trials offer claimants an opportunity for large payments, the outcome is uncertain.

Even if the court rules in favor of the claimant, many companies choose to appeal. Settlements offer claimants a quick, secure path to compensation without the stress of a trial.

Key Requirements to File

• Diagnosis: Claimants must have a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness (such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis) OR proof of a wrongful death from an asbestos-related illness. 
• Proof of exposure: Documentation linking the victim’s illness to asbestos exposure from Crown Cork & Seal Company through employment or use of their products. 
• Statute of limitations: Potential claimants have a limited time to file a claim. Deadlines vary by state, with most averaging just 2 to 3 years, so it’s critical to move quickly.

Notable Lawsuits Against Crown Cork & Seal Company

In 2001, Crown Cork and Seal set aside $420 million to handle asbestos claims in the U.S. The company has needed it, facing over 70,000 claims since litigation began. 

According to its 2025 annual report, Crown Cork made cash payments of $17 million in 2023, $15 million in 2024, and $19 million in 2025 to settle asbestos claims and pay related legal and defense costs. The company’s accrual for pending and future asbestos-related claims and legal costs was $177 million, including $125 million for unasserted claims. 

Like many asbestos companies, Crown Cork and Seal spends heavily on defending itself in court. Victims and their families deserve the same level of support and expertise. If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related disease from Mundet’s products, we can help. Contact us now to get a free case assessment.

Crown Cork & Seal Company’s Involvement With Asbestos

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. Although 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 Mundet’s insulation and cement division. However, due to legal obligations, Crown Cork and Seal remains responsible for the asbestos-related activities and products associated with Mundet.

Contact Us For a Free Case Assessment

Asbestos is a highly toxic carcinogen that can lead to severe illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Companies that used asbestos, like Mundet, 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 multiple forms of compensation. Seeking compensation from negligent asbestos manufacturers holds them accountable for the harm they’ve done and helps victims recover critical funds. 

Our partner law firm, Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is committed to guiding clients through the legal process, crafting a personalized legal strategy tailored to the specifics of each case. Let us support you in seeking the justice and compensation you deserve. We can help you determine your eligibility and learn more about your case for free. Contact our team today.

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