Being exposed to asbestos can harm an individual for life. An aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, many manufacturers used asbestos in their products in the 1900s as a low-cost alternative to other ingredients. The Flintkote Company (Flintkote) was one of them.
If you worked for Flintkote or were exposed to one of their asbestos products and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP for a free consultation with an attorney. You may qualify for compensation from the Flintkote Asbestos Trust.
What Health Risks Are Associated With Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos is a group of silicate minerals that were heavily mined throughout the 1900s for use in a variety of consumer goods. It was a popular ingredient due to its natural ability to resist corrosion, heat and chemicals – especially to produce building materials. The health risks associated with being exposed to asbestos were documented by doctors in the early 1900s. However, it took until 1987 for all six types of asbestos to be confirmed as carcinogenic (cancer-causing) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Exposure to asbestos can cause multiple types of cancers and other adverse health effects. Mesothelioma is the deadliest outcome of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelial tissues that surround and protect many internal organs, including the lungs. The average life expectancy for a patient who is diagnosed with mesothelioma ranges from 12 to 21 months with treatment, according to the National Library of Medicine. Other serious illnesses associated with asbestos exposure include asbestosis, lung cancer and pleural conditions.
What Asbestos Products Did Flintkote Produce?
The Flintkote Company was established in 1901 and operated until 1987. Its core business was manufacturing roofing materials for commercial and residential use, although it also developed other products. Its flagship product was asbestos roofing tiles, which were known for their durability and heat resistance. In 1945, Flintkote purchased its own asbestos mine in Canada.
Unfortunately, if Flintkote’s asbestos roofing tiles became damaged or disturbed, they could release asbestos particles into the air. This puts everyone in the vicinity at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers, where they might become lodged in the body and remain for many years. During that time, the fibers can cause irritation, inflammation and a buildup of scar tissue. They may even alter the DNA in the surrounding cells to cause malignant tumors.
Flintkote continued manufacturing products that contained asbestos until approximately 1982. This included asbestos cement and siding in addition to shingles. By the time Flintkote ceased its use of asbestos, it was too late for thousands of individuals who had already been exposed to asbestos through their products. Anyone who worked with Flinkote’s products, installed them, worked for Flintkote in its mines or manufacturing facilities, or lived or worked in buildings that were built using their asbestos materials could be at risk of related diseases.
Who Is Most at Risk of Exposure?
The National Cancer Institute states that while no level of asbestos exposure is deemed safe, the individuals who are most at risk of developing related illnesses are exposed to it on a regular basis, such as at a job where they work directly with asbestos. Therefore, anyone who suffered substantial environmental contact with Flintkote asbestos products as a worker is at risk.
High-risk individuals and occupations include:
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Demolition crews
- Drywall installers
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Laborers
- Masons
- Pipefitters
- Plant and factory workers
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Tilers
People who interacted often with at-risk workers could also be in danger of secondary asbestos exposure. This occurs when asbestos travels home with a worker on his or her hair, clothing or shoes – putting anyone who enters the worker’s home or vehicle at risk of asbestos exposure. A worker’s spouse and children are the most common victims to suffer mesothelioma and other illnesses due to secondary asbestos exposure.
What Is The Flintkote Asbestos Trust?
In the early 1970s, The Flintkote Company began facing lawsuits for the asbestos it used in its products. Despite the litigation, Flintkote continued manufacturing products using asbestos until 1982, and the products were sold until 1984. Twenty years later, in 2004, Flintkote had faced enough litigation from asbestos lawsuits that it had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. One outcome of its bankruptcy restructuring was the establishment of The Flintkote Asbestos Trust.
An asbestos trust fund is a reserve of money set aside to compensate those who were exposed to asbestos by a bankrupt company’s products or at their locations. Asbestos trusts enable a company to stay in business and compensate victims of exposure after declaring bankruptcy. The Flintkote Asbestos Trust was established in 2015 and funded with $214 million. Similar to most asbestos trusts, the Flintkote trust uses a payment percentage to ensure that funds will still be available for future claimants. The current payment percentage is 11 percent.
Are You Eligible for Compensation?
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, including mesothelioma, and had a history of working at a Flintkote location or with one of its products, you may be entitled to a portion of the money still available in The Flintkote Asbestos Trust. You or your mesothelioma attorney will need to prove using evidence and documentation that you were: 1) diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and 2) exposed to an asbestos-containing product that was manufactured by Flintkote.
If you are eligible to file a claim, your attorney can help you with the required paperwork and legal process. This involves filling out and submitting the correct claim form based on whether you wish to request an expedited or individual review. Both types of reviews have advantages; an attorney can help you choose the right option for you depending on your unique situation. Your lawyer can also collect and submit the required supporting documents, such as your medical records or a death certificate for a deceased loved one.
Request a Free Consultation With Bailey & Glasser, LLP
If you are a victim of asbestos exposure from a Flintkote product, call (866) 871-7971 today or contact us online anytime to schedule a free case evaluation. The attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can represent you in or out of court to pursue justice and maximum financial compensation on your behalf. We can help you seek the case results that you deserve.
