From 1961 to 1977, Bondex International, Inc. sold various products and building materials that contained asbestos – a dangerous mineral that causes an aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma. If you or a loved one worked for Bondex or with or around its asbestos products and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible for financial compensation from the Bondex Trust. Contact an attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP today for a free case consultation.
Why Is Asbestos Exposure Dangerous?
Asbestos is a group of six silicate minerals that were widely used for manufacturing purposes throughout the 1900s for its natural properties, such as heat and chemical resistance. In 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency passed the Clean Air Act, which first identified asbestos as a hazardous air pollutant.
Soon afterward, regulations were passed by the federal government restricting the use of asbestos. Unfortunately, these laws came too late for thousands of victims who had already been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos exposure can cause various illnesses, including a terminal type of cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelial tissues, caused by asbestos fibers and particles becoming lodged and causing irritation and scarring.
The National Cancer Institute states that there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure. Being exposed just once could be enough to cause cancer and other health problems, including asbestosis (a chronic lung disease) and lung cancer. However, studies show that a higher amount of exposure – such as daily exposure in the workplace – increases an individual’s risk of developing asbestos-related diseases exponentially.
What Are Common Bondex Asbestos Products?
Bondex International, Inc. was established by the Reardon Company in 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri. Bondex was known for manufacturing building materials, including products for residential, commercial and industrial applications. It also manufactured several “do-it-yourself” products for home repairs. In 1961, Bondex began using asbestos in many of its products as a cheap additive, despite known risks.
Various asbestos-containing products that were manufactured by Bondex include:
- Concrete repair products
- Joint cements
- Joint compounds
- Masonry products
- Plasters
- Putties
- Roof cements
- Surface preparation and repair products
- Textured paints
- Topping cements
- Wall and ceiling textures
In 1978, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned asbestos-containing joint compounds like the ones manufactured by Bondex International, Inc. However, Bondex sought an extension to the product recall deadline rather than immediately removing its products from the market based on the argument that its products were not an imminent hazard. Bondex asbestos products remained available until approximately 1981. At this point, the damage had already been done, and thousands of people had already been exposed to its asbestos products.
Who Was Most at Risk From Bondex Asbestos Products?
Individuals who worked for Bondex International, Inc. at one of its manufacturing facilities were at a high risk of asbestos exposure, as were their families (from secondary exposure). Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos is brought home on a worker’s hair or clothes. Workers in high-risk occupations, such as construction workers, drywall hangers, painters and carpenters, were also at risk.
In addition, consumers who used Bondex asbestos products in their homes may have been exposed. This includes exposure to product names such as SX All-Purpose Joint Cement, Bondex Trax Joint Cement, Dramex Texture Paint, Bondex Water Putty, Bondex Permaroof and Bondex Handy-Patch All Purpose Patcher.
What Is the Bondex Trust?
In 2010, Bondex and its holding company, Specialty Products Holding Corp., filed for bankruptcy after facing thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits. As part of its bankruptcy filing, Bondex put money into an asbestos trust fund to compensate people who developed asbestos-related illnesses and injuries as a result of exposure to the company’s s products. The Bondex Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was established in 2016 and initially funded with $797.5 million in assets.
Thousands of claims have been paid by the Bondex Trust since it began taking claims on July 1, 2016. Claims are paid using a payment percentage to ensure funds remain in the trust for future victims. While this percentage is subject to change by the trust, it is currently set at 22 percent. This means that approved claims will be paid at 22 percent of their assigned value. Values are based on factors such as the claimant’s specific diagnosis, type of illness and illness severity.
How to File a Claim With the Bondex Trust
If you wish to file a claim with the Bondex Trust, you have two choices: expedited review or individual review. There are benefits to both, with the main difference being a faster payout with the expedited review. An individual case review is evaluated differently and will take longer. However, higher compensation may be available with a successful individual case review. Mesothelioma claims, for example, are paid at an average of $80,000 with an expedited review and $125,000 with an individual review.
To file a claim, you or your mesothelioma attorney must fill out and submit the Bondex Claim Form. This form requests information about the individual, his or her health status and asbestos-related disease, and exposure to Bondex asbestos product(s). The form can be submitted electronically through the e-File system or mailed in paper form to:
- Claims Processing Facility, Inc.
East West Corporate Center
1771 West Diehl Rd., Suite 220
Naperville, IL 60563
In addition to the Claim Form, you or your lawyer must submit proper documentation to support your filing. This may include medical documentation and records that prove your exposure to Bondex asbestos products. If your lawyer is filing an asbestos trust fund claim on behalf of a deceased loved one, a death certificate must also be included. An asbestos attorney from Bailey & Glasser, LLP is equipped to help you and your family with every step of the Bondex Trust claims filing process.
Contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP for a Free Case Consultation
Do not hesitate to contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP if you or a loved one was exposed to an asbestos product created by Bondex International, Inc. or its parent company, Reardon, and has developed an asbestos-related illness. Our asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers have years of experience and a history of obtaining outstanding results for past clients.
We can guide you through the trust fund claims process and discuss your ability to seek financial compensation through other means, such as a mesothelioma lawsuit. Call (866) 871-7971 today for a free consultation.
