Owens Illinois Asbestos Use
Owens-Illinois produced insulation products under the brand name Kaylo that contained asbestos, exposing countless hardworking men and women to this cancer-causing mineral.
This led to thousands of lawsuits filed by people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
As its legal liabilities grew, Owens-Illinois declared bankruptcy to protect itself against more 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.
Asbestos was used in Kaylo insulation until the 1970s when it was replaced with fiberglass.
Key Facts About Owens Illinois & Asbestos
- Asbestos products: Kaylo block insulation, pipe insulation, and pipe covering
- Industries affected: Chemical processing, construction, shipbuilding, and more
- At-risk workers: Insulators, pipefitters, plumbers, shipyard workers, and many others
- Trust fund: Owens-Illinois Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, funded with $610 million in 2022
By filing a claim with the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust, mesothelioma victims can seek financial compensation without going to court. See if you qualify right now.
Owens-Illinois Asbestos Trust Fund Information
In January 2020, Owens-Illinois strategically transferred its asbestos liabilities to a newly created subsidiary, Paddock Enterprises LLC.
This maneuver, part of a legal strategy known as the “Texas Two-Step,” allowed the company to shield itself from direct financial exposure while ensuring that money was allocated to compensate asbestos victims through a dedicated trust fund.
Who Can File an Owens-Illinois Asbestos Settlement Trust Claim?
You may be able to file a Owens-Illinois asbestos trust claim if:
- You were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another related disease after being exposed to asbestos in Owens-Illinois pipe insulation products.
- A loved one was diagnosed with or passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos illness after being exposed to their products.
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 insulation products manufactured by Owens-Illinois unknowingly brought home asbestos on their clothes or hair.
A mesothelioma lawyer can gather evidence showing how, when, and where you were exposed to asbestos, allowing you to concentrate fully on your treatment and recovery.
Steps to File an Owens-Illinois Asbestos Claim
The Owens-Illinois asbestos trust was created to compensate people affected by asbestos-related illnesses caused by the company’s insulation products. The basic steps involved in filing a claim are listed below.
- Collect documents: An asbestos lawyer can review your employment records and military history to identify the specific products that made you sick.
- File the claim: Your lawyer will file a claim with the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust and any other trusts you’re eligible for based on your exposure history.
- Claim review: The administrators of the Owens-Illinois Asbestos Personal Injury Trust will review your claim and determine your eligibility.
- Access compensation: Many asbestos victims receive trust fund compensation within 90 days of filing a claim — without ever going to court.
Asbestos trust fund payouts are calculated based on a percentage system to ensure there’s enough money left for future claims.
As of August 2024, the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust pays 50% of the maximum case value for mesothelioma. We can check if you qualify for a payout and connect you with an asbestos lawyer to start the claims process. Call (866) 608-8933 now to speak with us.
Asbestos Products Made by Owens-Illinois
The asbestos products made at Owens-Illinois were Kaylo branded insulation materials. The company manufactured these products up until 1958, when it sold the rights to Owens Corning. Despite the sale, Owens-Illinois remained liable for the asbestos-containing products it had produced.
Asbestos products made at Owens-Illinois plants include:
- Block insulation used to prevent condensation from forming and becoming trapped within the walls in industrial settings
- Pipe insulation found wrapped around pipes in order to provide temperature control and prevent pipes from freezing or condensing
- Pipe covering designed to conceal and insulate pipes in industrial facilities, power plants, and military ships
These insulation products exposed many workers and service members to asbestos fibers, leading to serious health issues like mesothelioma. If you or a loved one were exposed to Kaylo asbestos products, you may be owed compensation from the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust.
Jobs at High Risk of Owens-Illinois Asbestos Exposure
Anyone who worked at an Owens-Illinois manufacturing facility likely was exposed to asbestos. Other high-risk groups include blue-collar workers who directly handled Kaylo asbestos insulation and Navy veterans who built or served on ships that contained this product.
Specific high-risk occupations include:
- Construction workers
- Contractors
- Demolition workers
- Drywall installers
- Electricians
- HVAC mechanics
- Insulators
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Power plant workers
- Roofers
- Shipyard workers
This is only a partial list — many other workers may have been exposed to asbestos when working with or around asbestos insulation.
Owens-Illinois asbestos products were commonly used to insulate pipes, boilers, and other equipment on Navy ships.
If you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be able to access compensation from Owens-Illinois and other asbestos companies. Get started right now with a Free Case Review.
Did Owens-Illinois Know Asbestos Was Dangerous?
Yes, there’s evidence Owens-Illinois knew asbestos was dangerous long before it stopped using the mineral in its manufacturing processes.
Owens-Illinois was presented with a lab report on the dangers of asbestos products in 1948. However, like many other asbestos companies at the time, it hid the risks from the public to protect its profits.
Before declaring bankruptcy, Owens-Illinois had been hit with more than 400 asbestos lawsuits filed by victims and their surviving loved ones.
Get Help Starting an Owens-Illinois Asbestos Claim
Mesothelioma Hope is committed to helping asbestos victims access the support and compensation they deserve.
Our team can help you:
- Determine how and where you may have been exposed
- File claims with the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust and other bankruptcy trusts
- Explore other forms of mesothelioma compensation
- Connect with mesothelioma specialists and support resources
Take the first step now by calling (866) 608-8933 or filling out our contact form.
Owens-Illinois Asbestos Trust FAQs
What is the Owens Illinois asbestos trust?
The Owens-Illinois Asbestos Trust, officially called the Owens-Illinois, Inc. 524(g) Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, was established to compensate those harmed by asbestos in the Kaylo insulation the company produced and sold until the early 1970s.
The trust was set up in 2022 as part of a bankruptcy reorganization plan after the company had already paid millions of dollars to settle asbestos lawsuits.
Today, patients who developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease from the company’s products can file a trust fund claim to pursue compensation for treatment, travel, and daily living expenses.
What percentage does the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust pay?
As of August 2024, the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust pays 50% of the set amount for malignant mesothelioma claims.
This means eligible patients and surviving loved ones can receive half of the maximum compensation the trust offers for a mesothelioma diagnosis, which is currently $382,600.
Contact our team now to see if you can access compensation from the Owens-Illinois asbestos trust.
What is the history of Owens-Illinois?
Founded in 1903, Owens-Illinois started as a glass manufacturer and later began making an asbestos-containing insulation material sold as Kaylo® in the 1940s. This product was widely used in industries like construction, pipefitting, and shipbuilding.
As asbestos-related health risks became more widely known, Owens-Illinois faced a growing number of lawsuits from workers who had been exposed to their products.
Owens Illinois asbestos claims primarily came from people who developed serious illnesses like mesothelioma after handling or working near the company’s asbestos-containing materials.
In 2020, Owens-Illinois declared bankruptcy and later set up a trust fund with $610 million to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. The company is still in business today, now manufacturing glass packaging under the name O-I Glass, Inc.
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