Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in various industries due to its heat-resistant properties and durability. It was commonly found in construction materials, insulation, and industrial products. However, it was later discovered that asbestos exposure poses serious health risks, including diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These diseases often take decades to develop after exposure, making asbestos a hidden danger for many workers and their families.
One company involved in the production of asbestos-containing products was the Quigley Company, Inc., which manufactured insulation materials used in high-temperature industrial settings. Over time, as the health risks of asbestos became clear, Quigley, like many other companies, faced thousands of lawsuits from individuals who were exposed to their asbestos products and developed serious illnesses.
In response, the Quigley Asbestos Trust was established to handle the claims of people who were harmed by these products. The trust provides a way for individuals who were exposed to Quigley’s asbestos-containing products to seek compensation for their asbestos-related diseases without having to go through lengthy litigation.
The Quigley Asbestos Trust plays a crucial role in offering financial relief to victims and ensuring that they receive compensation for the harm caused by asbestos exposure.
The Quigley Company
The Quigley Company, Inc. was a manufacturing company founded in the early 1900s, known primarily for producing products that contained asbestos. These products were widely used in industrial settings due to the unique properties of asbestos, such as heat resistance and durability. While Quigley had a significant presence in the manufacturing industry, its legacy has been closely tied to the health risks and legal liabilities associated with asbestos exposure.
Why Was Asbestos Used by the Quigley Company, Inc?
The Quigley Company initially focused on producing refractory materials—products designed to withstand high temperatures for industrial furnaces, boilers, and other equipment. One of its primary product lines included Insulag and Panelag, both of which contained asbestos. These products were primarily used in steel mills, power plants, and shipyards, where extreme heat resistance was critical.
Asbestos Lawsuits Against the Quigley Company, Inc
Quigley, like many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products, faced a massive number of personal injury lawsuits.
Many of the lawsuits against Quigley were based on claims that the company was negligent in manufacturing and selling asbestos products without adequately warning users of the potential dangers. Even though the severe health risks of asbestos became widely understood by the mid-20th century, Quigley continued to sell products containing asbestos without providing clear warnings or instructions for safe handling.
Plaintiffs in these cases typically alleged that:
- Quigley knew or should have known about the dangers of asbestos but failed to take appropriate steps to protect workers and consumers.
- The company did not provide adequate warnings about the risks of asbestos exposure.
- The design of the asbestos-containing products was inherently unsafe.
By the early 2000s, Quigley was named in thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits. The sheer volume of claims, combined with the high costs of litigation, led Quigley to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2004.
What is the Quigley Asbestos Trust?
The Quigley Asbestos Trust is a fund established as part of the bankruptcy reorganization of the Quigley Company, Inc., a former subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. Quigley was involved in the manufacturing of products that contained asbestos, which was used widely in industrial applications for its heat resistance and insulation properties. However, asbestos is now known to cause serious health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, all of which can develop years after exposure.
The trust was created as a result of Quigley’s bankruptcy proceedings to resolve the asbestos-related personal injury claims filed against the company. The goal of the trust is to provide compensation to individuals who were exposed to Quigley’s asbestos-containing products and later developed asbestos-related diseases.
Who Can Make a Claim?
These lawsuits were typically filed by workers, including:
- Industrial workers, such as those in steel mills or shipbuilding.
- Tradespeople, such as electricians, pipefitters, and insulation installers, who came into regular contact with Quigley’s products.
- End-users who were exposed in various settings where asbestos was present.
If you fall into any of those categories or have been exposed to Quigley asbestos in any other way, you may be able to make a claim.
How Does the Quigley Asbestos Trust Work?
Claimants who were exposed to Quigley’s asbestos products and developed asbestos-related diseases can file a claim with the trust. The requirements for a valid claim under the Quigley Asbestos Trust Distribution Procedures (TDP) are as follows:
- Submit a Complete Claim Form: Claimants must provide a filled-out claim form along with necessary documents, like a medical report from a doctor and, if applicable, a death certificate.
- Proof of Quigley Exposure: To qualify for compensation for any asbestos-related disease, claimants must show they were exposed to Quigley’s asbestos products before December 21, 1982.
- Specific Requirements for Certain Diseases:
- For Asbestosis/Pleural Disease Level I, claimants must show 6 months of exposure to Quigley products before the 1982 date and 5 years of cumulative asbestos exposure in their job.
- For more severe diseases like Severe Asbestosis, Other Cancers, or Lung Cancer I, claimants need to show 6 months of Quigley exposure before the 1982 date, plus significant exposure to asbestos in their work.
- If You Don’t Meet the Standard Requirements: If a claimant cannot meet the standard requirements for quick review, they can ask for a more detailed, individual review of their exposure to Quigley products.
Payment Percentages and Trust Funding
Pfizer acquired Quigley in 1968, before the health risks of asbestos became widely known. When Quigley started facing thousands of lawsuits related to asbestos exposure, Pfizer contributed financially to the Quigley Asbestos Trust as part of a settlement agreement to limit its liability from asbestos claims. Pfizer’s involvement has been crucial because of its significant financial resources, which helped fund the trust and provide relief for victims.
The trust offers a streamlined process for asbestos victims to seek compensation without going through lengthy litigation. However, given the volume of claims and the limits of the trust’s resources, compensation amounts may be lower than those that could have been awarded in court. The goal is to ensure that funds are available for as many victims as possible.
Seeking Legal Assistance
Each state has a statute of limitations for filing asbestos claims, which is typically a few years from the time you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness or the time of death (in wrongful death cases). An experienced attorney will help you navigate this.
By seeking an experienced lawyer and gathering the necessary information about your exposure and medical condition, you’ll have a better chance of successfully navigating your asbestos-related legal claim.
Reach Out For Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos through Quigley products and have developed a related illness, you may be entitled to compensation through the Quigley Asbestos Trust. At Bailey Glasser, we have the expertise to guide you through the claims process and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait – time may be limited to file your claim.
Call us today at (866) 871-7971 or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let our experienced team fight for your rights!
