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

Updated

Founded in 1920, Turner & Newell rapidly expanded into a major asbestos products manufacturer. Due to the scale of its operations, T&N exerted significant influence on the global asbestos marketplace.

Unfortunately, they used this influence to hide the dangers of asbestos.

In 1953, Turner & Newall asked a researcher to investigate the link between asbestos and lung diseases. When the researcher’s work found a causal link, Turner & Newall hired another researcher to discredit the work.

Company officials refused to acknowledge any connection between asbestos and disease. T&N used public relations firms, attorneys, and politicians to quash any discussion of regulations on asbestos.

When U.S. auto parts manufacturer Federal-Mogul purchased T&N and all its subsidiaries in 1998, it also took on responsibility for this long history of unethical and negligent behavior.

Federal-Mogul declared bankruptcy in 2001 due to mounting asbestos-related legal costs.

Formed in 2007, the Federal-Mogul Asbestos Trust comprises four subfunds, one of which is the Turner & Newall Asbestos Personal Injury Trust Subfund.

The T&N Trust Subfund was funded with $685 million to compensate victims exposed to asbestos by T&N.

Like most asbestos trust funds, the T&N Trust only pays a percentage of each claim’s value to ensure enough funds remain for all current and future victims. The T&N Trust’s current payment percentage is 3.9%.

See if you qualify for compensation from the Turner & Newall Asbestos Trust today.

Key Information

  • T&N operated the world’s largest asbestos factory in Rochdale, England. It’s now the site of a massive environmental cleanup effort.
  • T&N was notorious for its efforts to hide the dangers of asbestos; it engaged in bribery, spied on employees, and covered up research, all to protect its bottom line.
  • While initially most famous for their asbestos textiles, T&N’s rapid expansion during the 20th century saw them manufacture virtually every type of asbestos product on the market. It also owned mines and acquired companies focused on distribution and installation.
  • The top occupations impacted were factory workers, miners, and construction workers.

Turner & Newall Asbestos Exposure

In 1920, Turner Brothers Asbestos Co., Newalls Insulation Co., Washington Chemical Co., and J.W. Roberts, Ltd. merged to form Turner & Newall.

Over the 20th century, T&N expanded its operations globally. The company purchased mines, other manufacturers, distributors, and installation companies.

It used its reach to sell dangerous, asbestos-contaminated products worldwide, opting for the material due to its heat-, fire-, and chemical-resistant qualities.

Despite T&N being a U.K.-based corporation, nearly 1,000 sites in the United States have been confirmed to have Turner & Newall asbestos-containing products.

Sites include:

  • Power plants
  • Naval yards
  • Schools
  • Restaurants
  • Federal buildings
  • Radio and television studios
  • Hospitals
  • Jails
  • Churches
  • Country clubs

The Turner & Newall factory in Rochdale, England, was the largest asbestos factory in the world. Now the site of a massive environmental cleanup effort, the factory was notorious for spewing asbestos into the local landscape.

The contamination was so widespread that every second household within a few blocks of the Rochdale plant had a family member with an asbestos-related disease.

Despite the known dangers of asbestos, Turner & Newall actively worked to discredit asbestos-disease claims.

Not only did it do its best to avoid caring for sick and dying employees, but the company also kept dossiers on individuals they considered subversive, often labeling opponents as communists to discredit them. 

Overall, through its mines, products, and policies, T&N willingly and knowingly exposed hundreds of thousands of people to asbestos all over the world.

Exposed to Asbestos

See if you qualify for compensation from the Turner & Newall Trust Fund today.

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Secondary Exposure

Turner & Newall went to great lengths to hide the dangers of asbestos from its employees. Their secrecy and negligence robbed employees and consumers of the right to protect themselves and their families from asbestos. 

Secondary or second-hand asbestos exposure occurs when workers inadvertently track asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, or hair. Secondary exposure accounts for up to 20% of all mesothelioma cases.

Studies show that 64% of women — often the wives, mothers, or daughters of those who worked with asbestos products — and 12% of men with mesothelioma experienced secondary exposure.

If you or a loved one suspect you have been exposed to Turner & Newall asbestos-containing products and have developed an asbestos-related illness, reach out to us today to find out how we may be able to help.

Asbestos Lawsuits With Turner & Newall

When Federal-Mogul bought T&N in 1998, it set aside $2.1 billion to settle asbestos-related claims. Unfortunately, they significantly underestimated the scale of T&N’s legal liabilities and were pushed into bankruptcy in 2001. 

Like many asbestos companies, T&N knew about the dangers of asbestos and actively worked to hide them from the public.

T&N, in particular, has a long history of unethical behavior surrounding asbestos, bribing politicians, spying on and working to discredit opponents, and actively denying and burying research that did not fit their desired narrative. 

All of this well-documented maneuvering has left them vulnerable to lawsuits.

For example:

  • Nellie Kershaw, the first person in the U.K. found to have died of asbestosis, worked for T&N. Following her death in 1924, Nellie’s family attempted to get compensation from T&N but were denied. However, her death led to the 1931 Asbestos Industry Regulations, the world’s first laws governing asbestos use.
  • In 2014, the widow of a pipefitter was awarded $9.3 million in damages following her husband’s death due to exposure to products manufactured by T&N and other companies.

T&N and its subsidiaries have faced thousands of lawsuits surrounding their asbestos use and the enormous harm it has inflicted upon people and places. 

Exposed to Asbestos

See if you qualify for compensation from the Turner & Newall Trust Fund today.

Start Your Free Claim

Associated Companies 

Initially formed in England, T&N rapidly grew into a multinational company with interests spread across several continents.

It was involved in every aspect of the asbestos production cycle, from mining raw asbestos to manufacturing, distributing, and installing asbestos products. 

The owner of the world’s largest asbestos factory in Rochdale, England, T&N was purchased by U.S.-based auto parts maker Federal-Mogul Co in 1998.

Companies Associated With Turner & Newall:

  • Albion Asbestos Co., Ltd.
  • Associated Engineering Group
  • Bells United Asbestos Co.
  • British Industrial Plastics
  • Carbon Cement Co.
  • Carbon Dioxide Co., Ltd.
  • Cassiar Asbestos Corporation, Ltd.
  • C. L. Whitaker and Co., Ltd.
  • Engineering Components, Ltd.
  • Federal-Mogul Friction Products Limited
  • Federal-Mogul Limited
  • Ferodo Limited
  • Flexitallic, Inc.
  • Gasket Holdings, Inc.
  • George MacLellan & Company
  • ​​Glass Fabrics, Ltd.
  • Hobdell, Way, and Co. 
  • JW Roberts Limited
  • Keasbey and Mattison
  • Mineral Wood Products, Ltd.
  • Moore Plastics, Co.
  • Newalls Insulation Company Limited
  • Quasi-Arc, Co.
  • Raybestos-Belaco, Ltd.
  • Reid, McFarlane, and Co.
  • Rhodesian & General Asbestos Corporation, Ltd.
  • Siluminite Insulator Co., Ltd.
  • Stillite Products, Ltd.
  • Storey Brothers
  • Sutcliffe Brothers and Bryce
  • TAC Construction Materials, Ltd.
  • T&N Shelf 26 Limited
  • TBA Industrial Products Limited
  • Tenmat, Ltd.
  • Thomas Anderson, Ltd.
  • Turners Asbestos Cement Limited
  • Turner Brothers Asbestos Co.
  • Universal Metallic Packing Co.
  • Washington Chemical Co.

High-Risk Jobs Associated With Turner & Newall

Turner & Newall became popular by weaving asbestos fibers into cotton materials to form nearly indestructible textiles.

From there, Turner & Newall branched out to purchase companies that produced a wide range of products. They also purchased mines and distribution companies and offered installation services.

Due to the diverse nature of Turner & Newall products, many high-risk occupations are associated with the company.

The T&N Trust acknowledges over 55,000 occupations affected by exposure to their products, services, or operations.

Jobs at Highest Risk for Asbestos Exposure

Miners/Mineworkers

Those who worked in T&N’s mines in Canada, South Africa, Swaziland, and Southern Rhodesia face a high risk of exposure. During mining, asbestos fibers are released into the air.

Anyone who breathes them in, whether they worked inside the mine or in the operations above ground, is at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

Factory Workers

Turner & Newall plant workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos during manufacturing.

Conditions at the T&N plant in Rochdale, England, were so dangerous that in the surrounding community, every second family was said to have at least one person suffering from an asbestos illness.

Construction Workers

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Anyone who installed, repaired, removed, or otherwise handled any of T&N’s many asbestos-containing construction products was likely exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.

Other At-Risk Jobs

Asbestos Products Used at Turner & Newall

Turner & Newall used asbestos as the primary ingredient in its products from its founding in 1920.

Asbestos particles blanketed the ground outside its Rochdale, England factory. T&N made dozens of different asbestos-contaminated products for a wide variety of industries. It sold those products globally.

Turner & Newall asbestos-containing products remain in place across the United States and other locations worldwide.

Top Asbestos-Containing Products Used at T&N Include:

  • Asbestos Cement
  • Asbestos Hair Belting
  • Asbestos Yarn
  • Atlas Turner Newalls 85% Magnesia
  • Atlas Turner Newalls Newtempheit
  • Duresto Asbestos Felt
  • Pax Felt Asbestos Felt
  • Sindanyo Asbestos Electric Arc and Heat Resisting Board
  • Trafford Tile Asbestos Cement Sheets
  • Turner & Newall Aircell Pipe Covering
  • Turner & Newall Featherweight Pipe Covering
  • Turner & Newall K & M Hy-Temp Block Insulation
  • Turner & Newall K & M Pipe Covering
  • Turner & Newall K & M Rope Packing
  • Turner & Newall Kaytherm Pipe Covering
  • Turner & Newall Sprayed Limpet Asbestos

The Formation of the Turner & Newall Asbestos Trust

The Turner and Newall Asbestos Trust Subfund is one of four asbestos trust subfunds that make up the Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, formed in 2007 to compensate victims of asbestos exposure harmed by T&N and its subsidiaries.

The T&N Trust recognizes eight scheduled conditions that are eligible for financial compensation. It was funded with $685 million and began accepting claims in 2010. 

Understanding the Different Review Processes

The T&N trust offers claimants two review processes to choose from when filing a claim: expedited and individual. Each review type has distinct benefits; not every claimant is eligible for each type.

An experienced asbestos attorney can help you choose the proper review process if you’re eligible to file a claim. 

Expedited Review

Expedited review (ER) is the quickest and most straightforward way to receive compensation from the trust. ER claims offer a quick resolution and a standardized payment amount — the scheduled value — for covered illnesses.  

The ER claims process is most suitable for those with clear documentation who need a guaranteed settlement amount quickly to meet pressing expenses after a diagnosis.

Foreign Claims, Secondary Exposure Claims, and Lung Cancer 2 (Disease Level VI) are not eligible for ER.

Individual Review

Individual review (IR) takes longer because each claim must be examined and judged based on merit. IR settlements can be greater or smaller than the scheduled value provided by ER, though on average, they yield a higher settlement. 

IR is most suitable for those who can wait longer for payment, do not meet the full documentation criteria required by ER, or are hoping for a larger settlement. 

Settlement and Payment Percentage in 2024

To ensure that enough funds remain to compensate current and future claimants, the T&N Asbestos Trust only pays a percentage of the settlement value of each claim.

The current payment percentage is 3.9%.

This pro-rata payment system means that a mesothelioma settlement worth $200,000 will yield a final payment of $7,800 once the payment percentage is applied. 

The chart below shows the scheduled value offered by the T&N Asbestos Trust for ER review claims:

DiseaseCompensation
Mesothelioma$200,000
Lung Cancer$42,500
Other Cancer$14,750
Severe Asbestosis$42,500
AsbestosisUp to $12,700

IR review claims yield a higher settlement value on average. However, the final amount may also be lower depending on the individual circumstances of the claimant.

The chart below shows the average value of an IR claim made to the T&N trust:

DiseaseCompensation
Mesothelioma$250,000
Lung Cancer$60,000
Other Cancer$19,500
Severe Asbestosis$54,500
AsbestosisUp to $13,500

Asbestos exposure victims may be able to claim funds from multiple trusts due to exposure to many different types of products while at job sites. Holding all responsible companies accountable offers asbestos victims the opportunity to receive the maximum compensation available.

See if you qualify for compensation from the Turner & Newall Asbestos Trust today.

Eligibility Requirements for the T&N Asbestos Trust

Before claimants receive payment from a trust, they must prove they are eligible. There are two primary types of eligibility requirements: medical and exposure. To meet these requirements, claimants must provide significant documentation.

Medical Requirements

Medical requirements vary depending on which disease a claimant has been diagnosed with. However, some standard requirements are shared across most diagnoses.

  • Diagnosis with one of the scheduled illnesses by a physician or pathologist
  • Proof of the diagnosis in the form of testing and imagery, like:
    • CAT scan
    • Pathology report
    • Pleural testing
    • X-ray
  • Supporting medical documentation linking the illness to asbestos exposure
  • 10-year latency

Exposure Requirements

Claimants to the T&N trust must provide proof of significant occupational exposure — as defined by the trust distribution procedures (TDP) — and six months of T&N-specific exposure before December 31, 1982.

Documents commonly used to provide proof include:

  • Affidavits/witness statements 
  • Construction records
  • Employment records
  • Insurance records
  • Military service records
  • Paystubs
  • Sales records

Filing a Personal Injury Claim Against Turner & Newall

Filing a claim against the T&N Asbestos PI Trust requires relatively few steps. However, completing them to a satisfactory degree in the eyes of the trust may require professional assistance. 

  1. Choose between expedited and individual review.
  2. Submit a completed T&N Subfund Claim form, including all the necessary documentation. Claims can be filed by mail or online.
  3. Monitor the status of your claim. Be sure to respond promptly to any documentation deficiencies the trust finds.
  4. If the claim is approved, accept the settlement offer and receive payment.

Remember, all claims must be filed within the statute of limitations to be considered for payment. Working with a lawyer with experience dealing with these trusts can help streamline the process and maximize potential compensation.

Loved Ones & Family Members

Unfortunately, victims of asbestos exposure may not always be able to file a claim on their own. Often, they are too ill to manage the claims process.

In other cases, the fast-moving nature of many asbestos-related illnesses may mean they have already passed away. 

However, the death of an asbestos victim does not negate the responsibility an asbestos company has towards them and their heirs.

The family members of asbestos victims can and may need to file a claim on behalf of their loved one.

When this happens, the situation is often fraught; financial stress, grief, and the challenges of caretaking can make navigating the claims process feel impossible. 

An experienced lawyer can help ease this burden, shouldering the work of filing and pursuing the maximum amount of compensation in the shortest amount of time.

We may be able to help you start the claim filing process today.

Reach out to us today to learn more.

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Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg

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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