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Gardner Denver

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

Gardner Denver produced industrial pumps and steam control equipment containing asbestos. Its ties to the U.S. Navy put thousands of veterans and government workers at risk of asbestos exposure.

Although the company has not established an asbestos trust fund, victims or their loved ones may be eligible to pursue financial compensation through a lawsuit.

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Gardner Denver & Asbestos Exposure

Founded in 1859 by Robert W. Gardner, the company’s innovative ​​”fly-ball” governors, which controlled steam engine speeds, rapidly gained popularity, allowing for consistent expansion. The company continued to innovate, and its steam pumps, mud pumps, and vertical air compressors secured government contracts during the Great Depression and World War II. 

Many of these products were contaminated with asbestos, which the company valued for its durability and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. Evidence suggests that Gardner Denver was aware of the dangers of asbestos as early as the 1930s, but prioritized profits over employee and consumer safety, continuing to use asbestos components until the 1980s.

In April 2019, Gardner Denver announced a merger with Ingersoll Rand, which was finalized in 2020, forming Ingersoll Rand, Inc. The combined operations of the two companies span four continents and are projected to generate billions in revenue.  

Gardner Denver & the U.S. Navy

Gardner Denver, a major supplier to the U.S. Navy starting in the 1940s, provided air compressors and mud pumps for various naval ships, such as aircraft carriers and destroyers. These products incorporated asbestos-containing parts like gaskets and insulation packing.

Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding, and many people believed it was crucial for providing tight seals, as well as heat- and pressure-resistance, particularly on ships where the risks associated with fire are severe. 

Unfortunately, the enclosed nature of shipboard life also elevates the risks of asbestos exposure, as poor ventilation can lead to an increased risk of inhaling asbestos particles.  

Although Gardner Denver discontinued use of asbestos in the 1980s, several ships containing their asbestos-contaminated products stayed in commission until the early 1990s.

Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos is a family of six minerals that share a similar structure and properties. All forms of asbestos separate into thin, durable strands that are nonconductive, resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals — and carcinogenic.

When asbestos is mined, manufactured, damaged, disturbed, repaired, or removed, it sheds particles that may be inhaled or ingested. These particles lodge into tissues in the body, causing scarring, irritation, and DNA changes that may lead to serious health conditions.

Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease, is a rare and incurable cancer affecting the linings of organs, most often the lungs. Its treatment is costly, averaging $400,000 annually in out-of-pocket expenses. Notably, asbestos exposure is the sole identified cause of this cancer.

Asbestos-related illnesses include:

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

Despite its well-documented hazards, asbestos was a prevalent additive in the 20th century. Companies such as Gardner Denver frequently chose to keep using asbestos in their manufacturing processes, prioritizing ease and financial gain at the expense of public well-being.

Financial Compensation From Gardner Denver

Gardner Denver has not established a trust fund, choosing to handle its asbestos liabilities through the court system. In June 2018, the company announced it had set aside $100.8 million to address current and future asbestos litigation and settlement costs.

Victims and their families have two primary methods available for seeking legal 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.

Asbestos use was widespread across many products and industries, and many victims are eligible to seek compensation from multiple companies. Working with an experienced asbestos lawyer can help victims maximize potential compensation and hold all responsible companies accountable.

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 Lawsuits Against Gardner Denver

Gardner Denver actively manages its asbestos liabilities through court proceedings, seeking summary judgments to limit financial responsibility. Litigation is ongoing, though specific settlement details are unavailable.

John Adler

John Adler served as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS Prevail from 1957 to 1960, where he worked with Gardner Denver compressors in the ship’s engine room. Although he did not directly service the compressors, Adler developed mesothelioma from proximity to maintenance activities that released airborne fibers.

After Adler filed suit in 2012, Gardner Denver requested summary judgment. The request was denied, with the court finding sufficient grounds for a trial to proceed.

John W. Pruitt, Sr. 

John Pruitt was exposed to asbestos while working as a machinist’s mate in the U.S. Navy. He serviced black oil pumps and fire pumps aboard the USS Tolovana and other vessels, where regular exposure to the asbestos packing and gaskets used in Gardner Denver machines led to his eventual mesothelioma diagnosis. 

He filed suit against multiple manufacturers in 2018, and Gardner Denver once again sought summary judgment, which was denied, allowing the case to proceed.  

Paul F. McCarthy 

Paul McCarthy was a Navy veteran who served on the USS Glennon from 1951 to 1955. Exposure to asbestos-containing products aboard the ship, including those made or sold by Gardner Denver, resulted in his mesothelioma diagnosis. The condition ultimately caused his death before his trial could occur.

Mary Suprey filed suit on behalf of McCarthy’s estate in 2017, seeking to hold multiple manufacturers accountable through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Asbestos-Containing Products Used at Gardner Denver

Gardner Denver incorporated asbestos-containing parts in their widely used industrial equipment. Asbestos provided added strength and heat resistance to various components, including gaskets, packing, insulation, seals, stuffing boxes, and connection joints.

Gardner Denver asbestos-contaminated products include:

• Air compressors
• Centrifugal compressors
• Construction equipment
• Industrial blowers
• Mining equipment
• Mud pumps (including Gardner Denver 6″ x 8″ FD FXX Mud Pump)
• Petroleum pumps
• Pipeline equipment
• Reciprocating compressors
• Vacuum systems

Occupations At-Risk

Gardner Denver products were used in shipbuilding, oil refining, power plants, construction, manufacturing, and more. Because countless people in these industries worked with Gardner Denver’s products, many were exposed to asbestos and the risk of related illnesses.

High-risk occupations include:

• Boilermakers
• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Engineers
• Factory workers
• Machinists
• Maintenance workers
• Mechanics
• Navy veterans
• Pipefitters
• Power plant employees
• Pump operators
• Oil field workers
• Shipyard workers

Beyond those working directly with asbestos, their families and other close contacts frequently face risks from secondary exposure. This happens when dangerous asbestos fibers are carried into the home on the clothing, skin, or hair of workers.

Get Help Today 

Asbestos can be deadly and is a proven cause of severe illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These diseases cause victims and their families enormous physical suffering, emotional strain, and financial pressure.

Companies like Gardner Denver knew about these potential consequences and continued using asbestos anyway, putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk for the sake of protecting their bottom line.  

Our experienced legal partners at Meirowitz & Wasserberg help victims fight back, seeking the maximum possible compensation for their injuries and holding negligent companies accountable. 

If you’re ready to pursue justice, we can connect you with free resources to help you on your journey. Reach out now for a free case evaluation.