Asbestos was most heavily used in the construction industry due to natural properties that made it a desirable building material, such as heat resistance and durability. The Synkoloid Company was a top manufacturer of asbestos-containing construction products in the mid-1900s. If you or a loved one was exposed to these asbestos products, you may be entitled to financial compensation through the Synkoloid Company/Artra Asbestos Trust. Contact us to discuss your eligibility for compensation with an attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP for free.
The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos refers to six silicate minerals that have been linked to many serious cancers and diseases. Before the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed that all six types of asbestos could cause cancer, this mineral was implemented in numerous consumer products and construction materials. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos can lead to chronic and life-threatening illnesses, including asbestosis, lung cancer and an aggressive type of cancer called mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma refers to cancer of the mesothelial tissues, which is the thin protective membrane that surrounds most of the internal organs. If asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can become lodged in the mesothelium. Over time, these particles can rub and irritate the surrounding tissues, causing enough damage to potentially create cancer cells. Currently, the average life expectancy for a patient who is diagnosed with mesothelioma is 12 to 21 months with treatment, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Synkoloid Company’s History of Using Asbestos in its Products
The Synkoloid Company was founded in 1894 and originally manufactured paint, spackling paste and wood finish. In 1949, it began to manufacture products that contained asbestos. Its primary products were joint compounds and wall surface pastes.
The asbestos products manufactured by Synkoloid include:
- Cement Patch Tex-Add
- EZE-Tex Texture
- Flexi-Patch
- Kool-Kap Roof Coating
- Plastibond
- Prime ’N Fill
- Snohide
- Stucco ’N Cement Patch
- Surface Conditioner
- Synko-Topping
- Tex-Wall
- Triple Duty Joint Compound
- Vinyl Prep Mix
- Vinyl Roof Paint
- Vinyl Tex-Wall Surface Condition Paste
The trust has a list of known asbestos-containing products. Synkoloid continued to produce asbestos-containing products until 1976, a year after Synkoloid Company was purchased by Artra Group, Inc. Since then, Artra Group and Synkoloid Company have been named in thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits.
What Is the Synkoloid Company (Artra) Asbestos Trust?
Asbestos litigation forced the companies into bankruptcy, which they came out of in 2007. As part of their restructuring for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Artra Group partnered with the Muralo Company (a company that acquired Synkoloid in 1981) to create an asbestos trust fund. The ARTRA Asbestos Trust was originally funded with $74 million. As of 2021, close to 17,000 claims have already been paid from this trust for over $32 million. However, a large percentage of the funds are still available.
Who Is Eligible to File a Claim With the Artra Asbestos Trust?
Synkoloid marketed its products toward the construction industry. For this reason, anyone who worked in construction between 1949 and 1976 could have been exposed to asbestos by one or multiple Synkoloid products. In addition, those hired to inspect, repair, maintain, demolish or renovate these buildings may have been exposed.
High-risk occupations for exposure to Synkoloid asbestos products include:
- Building inspectors
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Drywall installers
- Maintenance workers
- Painters
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
These workers may have exposed their family members and loved ones to asbestos, as well, through secondhand exposure. This is when asbestos fibers and particles are carried home on a worker’s clothing, skin, hair, shoes or equipment. Anyone living with or interacting with someone who worked with Synkoloid asbestos products could be at risk of asbestos exposure.
Compensation Available Through the Trust
If you qualify for compensation through the ARTRA Asbestos Trust, the value of your payout will depend on your specific diagnosis, the severity of your illness, your prognosis for the future and other factors. Depending on the unique facts of each case, victims of Synkoloid asbestos-containing products could receive between $6,000 and $700,000 from the trust.
In general, asbestos trust fund claims are meant to repay victims for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Mental and physical pain and suffering
- The death of a loved one
Currently, the Synkoloid Company/Artra Asbestos Trust has a payment percentage of 0.5 percent. This is among the lowest of all asbestos trust funds currently established. This is the percentage of a claim’s total value that will be paid by the trust. Payment percentages exist to ensure asbestos trusts continue to have funds to pay future victims and their families.
How to File a Claim With the ARTRA Asbestos Trust
If you are eligible to file a claim for funds from the ARTRA Asbestos Trust, you will need to complete and submit the required Claim Form. There are two different types of processes you can choose from: an Expedited Review or Individual Review. The first is faster but could potentially result in a smaller payment. You can learn more about both types by speaking to an attorney.
Along with the form, you will need to submit supporting documentation, including:
- Medical records supporting the diagnosis of the claimed disease level.
- Proof of asbestos exposure through a Synkoloid/Artra product.
- Economic report, W-2 form, Form 1040 or other documentation if seeking lost wages.
- Death certificate, if filing a claim for the death of a loved one.
- Letters of Administration or proof of a personal representative’s official capacity (if applicable).
You can submit your claim by enclosing your documents and mailing them to the address listed or through electronic submission. Making a mistake on the Claim Form or missing information could delay your claim and even lead to a denial. An asbestos attorney can help you complete confusing paperwork and meet the trust’s filing requirements. This includes obtaining copies of the necessary documentation. An attorney can give you the most efficient and effective trust fund claim filing process possible.
Consult With Our Asbestos Attorneys Today
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another disease related to asbestos exposure and have reason to believe the Synkoloid Company or Artra Group is responsible for the product or location that exposed you, you may be eligible to file a claim with their asbestos trust fund. The attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you determine your eligibility and assist you with the required steps to file.
To request your free case consultation with one of our asbestos attorneys, call (866) 871-7971. You can also contact us online with a brief description of your case and we will call you back as soon as possible.
