Hercules Chemical Company Asbestos Trust

The Hercules Chemical Company Inc. manufactured a variety of plumbing products including chemicals, solvents, sealants, and more. These products were made with asbestos, a dangerous mineral known to cause mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Due to the widespread use of these products, thousands of workers and their families were unknowingly exposed to asbestos. The top occupations affected include plumbers, HVAC workers, and electricians. 

Individuals and loved ones who developed asbestos-related diseases linked to the Hercules Chemical Company may be able to collect trust fund compensation to cover treatment costs, lost wages, and more. Fill out the form below to learn if you qualify to file a claim.

History of Hercules Chemical

Hercules Chemical Company started in 1915 as a drainpipe solvent manufacturer. The company expanded its product line to include chemicals and solvents used in plumbing, including Sta-Put plumber’s putty. In 1999, Hercules acquired Cloroben Chemical Company, further expanding the line of plumbing products.

Other well-known Hercules products include Glub, Cobbler, Johni bolts and rings, Haymaker and Megaloc thread sealant.

When the company filed for bankruptcy protection, executives said the core business was profitable. Just before Hercules filed bankruptcy, in 2007, the company posted sales of $36.7 million.

The company said the burden from asbestos liability stemmed from the manufacturing and sales of pre-mixed furnace cement from 1939 to 1983. Company executives said the product in question contained a small amount of fully encapsulated asbestos.

High-Risk Occupations

Top occupations included:

• Construction workers
• Demolition workers
• Furnace operators
• HVAC workers
• Plumbers
• Asbestos worker
• Insulation worker
• Electrician worker
• Boiler tender
• Boiler worker
• Boiler Mechanic Helper

Hercules Evidentiary Requirements

The Hercules trust has designated five disease levels as eligible for compensation for expedited and individual reviews.

Each disease level has specific evidentiary requirements, including the following:

Medical Evidence

• A statement from a physician that at least 10 years have elapsed between initial exposure and diagnosis.
• A physician report explaining the extent of the disease.
• Evidence of bilateral asbestos-related nonmalignant disease.

Exposure Evidence

• Proof of exposure to asbestos-containing products that have been manufactured, supplied, sold, distributed or marketed by Hercules.

Significant Occupational Exposure

• Employment of at least five cumulative years, with a minimum of two years before 1986, at or near a Hercules asbestos-containing product.
• Handled Hercules-related raw asbestosis fiber.
• Fabricated Hercules asbestos-containing products.
• Worked with Hercules asbestos-containing products.

Sufficiency of Evidence

• Sworn affidavit from claimant attesting to asbestos exposure
• Sworn statement by co-worker attesting to asbestos exposure

Hercules Settlements and Payments

Each disease level has specific values and exposure and medical criteria for financial compensation.

The Hercules trust pays 2% of a claim settlement to ensure there will be enough money to pay all future claimants. With a 2% payout, claimants who are approved for a mesothelioma settlement ($70,000) will receive $1,400.

The trust has the sole discretion to determine if the claimant has serious financial need to qualify for exigent hardship.  Claims submitted as an exigent hardship must meet the medical and exposure criteria for Disease Levels II through V. An exigent hardship claim allows claimants to receive expedited funds.

Secondary Exposure Claims

Claimants who allege an asbestos disease as a result of exposure to someone who was exposed to Hercules Corporation asbestos may file a secondary exposure claim. The claimant must meet the same medical and exposure criteria as other claimants.

The financial statement revealed the Hercules Chemical Company trust has paid the following:

All claimants to the Hercules trust must pay a $15 filing fee. Many claimants also choose to use the services of an attorney skilled in asbestos litigation and trust fund claims.

Asbestos attorneys help clients get the largest settlement possible because they understand all of the details involved in filing a trust claim.