Cleaver-Brooks was a maker of boilers that once used asbestos-containing parts such as gaskets, insulation and refractory linings. The company continues to face asbestos lawsuits and has paid tens of millions of dollars in asbestos lawsuit claims.
Quick Facts About Cleaver-Brooks Compensation and Lawsuits
Founded:
1929
Years Operated:
1929-present
Headquarters:
Thomasville, GA
Business:
Manufactures boiler room equipment across commercial, institutional and industrial markets
Asbestos Trust:
No
Bankruptcy Status:
Not bankrupt
Pursuing Compensation From Cleaver-Brooks
Cleaver-Brooks still defends itself in court against new and ongoing mesothelioma lawsuits. Unlike many other boiler manufacturers facing asbestos claims, the company hasn’t pursued bankruptcy reorganization or established an asbestos trust fund. People seeking compensation file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits if they’ve been exposed to asbestos in Cleaver-Brooks products.
Mesothelioma lawsuits aim to prove asbestos exposure during boiler installation, repair or demolition work. Cleaver-Brooks has settled tens of thousands of claims since 1985 while staying financially solvent.
People diagnosed with asbestos diseases benefit from acting quickly since some legal deadlines can create tight filing windows. Early legal review preserves evidence like co-worker accounts and old job records that courts require. Compensation can cover medical treatment, lost wages and other diagnosis-related expenses.
Legal Help for People Exposed to Cleaver-Brooks Asbestos Products
People with mesothelioma from asbestos in Cleaver-Brooks boilers benefit from working with an experienced lawyer to manage their lawsuit. Your mesothelioma attorney will gather your work and medical records, as well as co-worker testimony.
Your mesothelioma lawyer will review your complete asbestos exposure history and identify any other potentially liable companies. You may be eligible to file a claim with another company’s asbestos trust fund or name another defendant in your lawsuit. You may also qualify for workers’ compensation.
A Patient Advocate can make the process of vetting top lawyers easier for you and your family. They’ll match you with someone knowledgeable, experienced and whose communication style meets your needs. Your Patient Advocate will also offer ongoing support, schedule appointments for you with leaders in mesothelioma treatment, assist you with insurance and VA benefits claims and provide free resources and access to support groups.
Exposed to Asbestos at Cleaver-Brooks?
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
Cleaver-Brooks used asbestos in its boilers. People who worked with these products later developed mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. Since 1985, more than 200,000 asbestos lawsuits have been filed against the company. Cleaver-Brooks has paid millions of dollars in claims.
Cleaver-Brooks Asbestos Lawsuits
$190 million verdict: A New York jury in 2013 awarded these damages to 5 people with mesothelioma who worked with asbestos products from Cleaver-Brooks and others. The court held Cleaver-Brooks responsible for $30.54 million. This remains the largest asbestos award in New York history.
$980,000 verdict upheld: A New York appeals court upheld this award in 2014 for a man who developed mesothelioma cancer after asbestos exposure at McConnell Air Force Base involving Cleaver-Brooks boilers.
Mid-trial settlement: Cleaver-Brooks settled a separate case also in 2014 mid-trial and avoided paying part of a $20 million verdict.
Settlement after 1 day of trial: The company settled in 2015 with a Navy veteran who developed mesothelioma after working with its boilers.
Case reinstated: Donald Robertson, who worked on Cleaver-Brooks boilers, sued after his mesothelioma diagnosis. A circuit court dismissed his claim in 2017, but the Wisconsin Supreme Court reversed that decision in early 2018 and returned the case to trial.
Unlike many asbestos manufacturers, Cleaver-Brooks hasn’t filed for bankruptcy or created an asbestos trust fund. The company continues to defend cases related to asbestos exposure in court. Because asbestos diseases like mesothelioma can take 20 to 60 years to develop, people may keep filing new claims.
Cleaver-Brooks used asbestos fibers in boiler parts like gaskets, insulation and refractory linings to boost heat resistance and fire safety. The company started with engineer John C. Cleaver’s first packaged boiler in 1929 and incorporated the toxic mineral into critical components. Workers who made, installed or repaired these boilers faced asbestos exposure risks during handling and maintenance.
Asbestos strengthened the boilers’ performance under extreme conditions and helped prevent fires in demanding industrial settings. Gaskets sealed connections tightly, insulation protected outer surfaces and refractory linings endured intense internal heat. These features made Cleaver-Brooks boilers popular for commercial and institutional use.
The company grew through the 1992 acquisition of Industrial Boiler Co., and it still manufactures boiler-room equipment today. Cleaver-Brooks faces ongoing asbestos lawsuits in court but stays solvent, unlike many other manufacturers that filed for bankruptcy. It no longer uses asbestos in its products.
Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From Cleaver-Brooks?
Over the decades, thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos on the job from Cleaver-Brooks products. People in certain jobs were especially at risk because their work involved frequent contact with boilers and related equipment.
Higher-Risk Occupations
Boiler tenders
Construction workers
Factory workers
Industrial workers
Insulators
Maintenance men
Pipefitters
Plumbers
Steamfitters
Veterans of the U.S. armed forces
Government regulations, like the Clean Air Act, have helped reduce the use of asbestos in boilers, banning certain kinds of insulation. Despite this progress, some boiler parts, such as gaskets and millboards, haven’t yet been banned and may still contain asbestos, leaving some risk in place today.
A 2022 European Commission report showed that in 2019 alone, more than 70,000 workers lost their lives from past exposure to asbestos. This highlights the seriousness of the issue.
Cleaver-Brooks’ Asbestos Products
Cleaver-Brooks supplied a range of asbestos-containing products for many years. These products were distributed to customers in various industries and work environments.
Cleaver-Brooks Products With Asbestos
Boiler insulation
Cements
Gaskets
Millboard
Pipe covering
Refractory lining materials
Some of these products contained extremely high amounts of asbestos, up to 95% fiber by weight. People who handled or installed these materials faced a significant risk of asbestos exposure.
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D. Carl Money is an attorney at Nemeroff Law. He has devoted his career to fighting for workers diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. Money has more than 25 years of experience fighting for people with asbestos-related diseases. He’s licensed in Texas, New York, England and Wales and belongs to various legal organizations across the U.S. and U.K.
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