Garlock Asbestos Use
Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC used asbestos, a cancer-causing mineral, to make industrial sealing and insulation products like gaskets and packing materials for decades. Asbestos was durable, heat-resistant, and insulating, which allowed gaskets to withstand high temperatures and corrosive conditions.
Even a single exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma and other serious diseases 10-50 years later.
Garlock stopped making asbestos products in the 1970s when the dangers began to be revealed. However, by that time, workers across many different industries had already been exposed, and thousands of them sued the company for damages.
As Garlock’s legal liabilities grew, it declared bankruptcy to protect itself against asbestos lawsuits. In order to stay in business, it established an asbestos trust fund to compensate current and future victims who were exposed to its products.
Key Facts About Garlock Sealing Technologies & Asbestos
- Asbestos products: Gaskets, packing materials, sheeting, and valve and pump components
- Industries affected: Chemical processing, power generation, shipbuilding, and more
- At-risk workers: Navy veterans, pipefitters, shipyard workers, and many others
- Asbestos trust information: Garlock Settlement Facility, funded with $480 million
By filing asbestos trust fund claims, those affected can seek mesothelioma compensation without going to court. See if you qualify right now.
Garlock Asbestos Trust Fund Information
Garlock Sealing Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010 after it had already been hit with over 900,000 asbestos claims. Chapter 11 allows a company to reorganize its finances while continuing to do business.
A Garlock asbestos trust called the GST Settlement Facility was established in 2017 and funded with $480 million.
Who Can File a Garlock Asbestos Settlement Trust Claim?
You may be able to file a Garlock asbestos trust claim if:
- You were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another related disease after being exposed to asbestos in Garlock products.
- A loved one was diagnosed with or passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos illness after being exposed.
People who developed mesothelioma but never worked directly with asbestos may be able to file a secondary exposure claim. In some cases, family members working with Garlock asbestos products unknowingly brought home asbestos on their clothes or hair.
A mesothelioma lawyer has the resources to determine how, when, and where you were exposed to asbestos and to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Steps to File a Garlock Sealing Technologies Bankruptcy Trust Claim
The Garlock asbestos trust was created to compensate current and future victims for asbestos-related illnesses related to the company’s products. The basic steps involved in filing a claim are listed below.
- Collect documents: A claimant must provide information about their diagnosis and the Garlock asbestos products they were exposed to. An asbestos lawyer can review your job history to identify the specific products that made you sick.
- File the claim: Your lawyer will file a claim with the Garlock asbestos trust and any other trusts you’re eligible for based on your exposure history.
- Claim review: The trust administrators will review your claim and determine your eligibility.
Access compensation: Many mesothelioma victims receive trust fund compensation within 90 days of filing a claim without ever going to court.
The amount of money you may receive from a Garlock asbestos claim depends on the type of disease that you’ve been diagnosed with and several other factors.
In 2021, the trust assigned mesothelioma a potential maximum value of $298,200. Since the Garlock asbestos trust payment percentage is 85% for mesothelioma, those with this cancer may be entitled to a total payout of $253,470.
The best way to find out how much your claim may be worth is to speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney.
Call (866) 608-8933 now to take the first step toward accessing the money you deserve.
Garlock Asbestos Products
Garlock asbestos packing and sealing products were used in boilers, engines, pumps, and many other industrial applications. The asbestos ensured that this equipment could withstand heat, high pressure, and other stressors.
Asbestos products made by Garlock included:
- Asbestos sheets
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Packing materials
- Pump components
- Seals
- Valve components
When these products were handled or became damaged due to normal wear and tear, tiny asbestos fibers may have been released into the air. Individuals who breathe in or swallow asbestos dust are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Jobs at Risk of Garlock Asbestos Exposure
Anyone who worked at a Garlock Sealing Technologies manufacturing facility likely was exposed to asbestos. Others who are at high risk are blue-collar workers who directly handled Garlock asbestos gaskets and insulation and Navy veterans who served on vessels that contained these materials.
High-risk Garlock asbestos exposure jobs include:
- Boilermakers
- Chemical plant technicians
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Factory workers
- Longshoremen
- Mechanics
- Oil refinery workers
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Shipyard workers
- Steamfitters
- Welders
- U.S. military veterans
This is only a partial list — many other workers may have been exposed to asbestos when working with or around Garlock asbestos products.
During World War II, the U.S. military relied on Garlock asbestos products to insulate pipes and prevent leaks on Navy ships and submarines.
If you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be able to access compensation from the Garlock Sealing Technologies asbestos trust and other sources. Get started right now with a Free Case Review.
Did Garlock Know Asbestos Was Dangerous?
Yes, evidence suggests that Garlock Sealing Technologies, like many other asbestos companies, knew of the health risks related to asbestos for decades before it stopped using the carcinogen in its manufacturing process.
When Garlock declared bankruptcy, it came to light that the company had been warned about the hazards of asbestos by medical experts, industry groups, and even some of its own employees.
Garlock asbestos lawsuits generally alleged that the manufacturer knew asbestos was dangerous but failed to warn users until it was too late.
Before its bankruptcy proceedings, Garlock had paid over $1 billion in settlements and other costs related to legal claims.
Get Help for Mesothelioma From Garlock Asbestos Products
Mesothelioma Hope can help those who’ve developed mesothelioma linked to products made by Garlock Sealing Technologies get the financial compensation they deserve.
Our team can help you:
- Determine how and where you may have been exposed
- File claims with the Garlock asbestos trust and other bankruptcy trusts
- Explore other forms of mesothelioma compensation
- Connect with mesothelioma specialists and support resources
Take the first step toward compensation and justice by calling (866) 608-8933 right now to see if you can file asbestos trust fund claims.
Garlock Sealing Technologies FAQs
Do Garlock gaskets contain asbestos?
No, as of 1980, Garlock gaskets no longer contain asbestos. However, for decades, Garlock Sealing Technologies manufactured asbestos gaskets, packing, and other products, putting millions of hardworking Americans in harm’s way.
What percentage does the Garlock asbestos trust pay?
As of August 2024, the Garlock asbestos trust payment percentage is 85% for malignant mesothelioma. This means that individuals with this cancer may be able to access 85% of the potential maximum value that the trust has specified for this asbestos-related disease.
Contact our team now to see if you’re eligible for money from the Garlock asbestos trust.
What is the history of the Garlock company?
Established in 1887 in Palmyra, New York, by Olin J. Garlock, Garlock Sealing Technologies manufactured seals for steam engine pistons. As the company grew, it started making a variety of sealing products, like gaskets and packing, that were used in the U.S. Navy and many different industries.
Up until 1980, Garlock used asbestos to ensure its products could handle high temperatures without degrading. However, after it was hit with hundreds of thousands of asbestos lawsuits, it filed for bankruptcy and set up a trust fund to pay those who had been harmed.
Today, qualifying asbestos victims can access money from this trust to help pay for their medical bills and other expenses.