H.K. Porter Inc. used asbestos to fireproof and insulate its railroad locomotives throughout much of the 20th century. Mounting lawsuits against H.K. Porter forced the company to file for bankruptcy and establish an asbestos trust fund to pay existing and future claims.
Quick Facts About H.K. Porter, Inc. Trust Fund and Lawsuits
Founded:
1866
Years Operated:
1866 - Present
Headquarters:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Business:
Manufactured railroad locomotives and industrial parts
Asbestos Trust:
Yes
Bankruptcy Status:
Filed in 1991 and reorganized in 1998
Information About the H.K. Porter, Inc. Asbestos Trust Fund
The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust was established through the Chapter 11 reorganization in 1998 to handle both current and future asbestos claims. It has paid more than $300 million since. The company declared bankruptcy in 1991.
H.K. Porter manufactured products containing asbestos. People who later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases filed numerous asbestos lawsuits.
H.K. Porter, Inc. Asbestos Trust Updates
The current payment percentage is 3.0%.
Mesothelioma has a scheduled payment of $20,000.
Lung cancer has a scheduled payment of $12,000.
Other cancers have a scheduled payment of $7,500.
The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust continues to follow structured procedures for reviewing and paying asbestos trust fund claims. In 2025, the trust resumed making new offers after confirming the trustee’s authority to amend procedures. Law firms can file claims electronically to speed processing and reduce paperwork. The trust updates rules and procedures over time to manage funds fairly for both current and future claimants.
Legal Help for People Exposed to H.K. Porter, Inc. Asbestos Products
People diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases after working with H.K. Porter products gain key advantages from a skilled attorney. A mesothelioma attorney collects your exposure records, employment history and medical proof, then files strong claims with the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust before deadlines pass.
Experienced mesothelioma attorneys review your full career to spot all companies that exposed you to asbestos. They pursue trust fund claims and lawsuits against firms that never went bankrupt, plus workers’ compensation where applicable. Attorneys coordinate these options so one payout doesn’t affect others.
Our Patient Advocates match you with top asbestos attorneys who know H.K. Porter claims inside out. They offer free, private help 24/7 that covers attorney referrals, mesothelioma specialist visits, support groups for patients and families and insurance guidance.
Exposed to Asbestos at H.K. Porter, Inc.?
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
H.K. Porter faced more than 100,000 claims in the early 1980s as people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases sought compensation for the company’s asbestos products. The company paid more than $200 million before declaring bankruptcy and establishing its asbestos trust fund.
Mesothelioma lawsuits involving H.K. Porter often named multiple asbestos manufacturers because many workers encountered products from several companies over the course of their careers. These cases helped establish the company’s role in widespread occupational asbestos exposure and laid the groundwork for claims paid today through the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust fund.
H.K. Porter’s Asbestos Connection
H.K. Porter Inc., founded in Pittsburgh in 1866, became closely tied to asbestos through its locomotive production. The company grew into the largest U.S. manufacturer of industrial locomotives during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and many of its machines included asbestos parts to handle high heat. Workers who came into contact with those parts faced serious risks of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
H.K. Porter also led the fireless locomotive market. These locomotives stored steam and hot water in a pressure vessel, rather than using a boiler. They, along with other Porter models, relied on asbestos in brakes, gaskets and insulation to manage extreme heat.
People who operated, repaired or maintained Porter locomotives were exposed to asbestos. Railroad workers, engineers and insulators carried the highest risks because inhaled fibers can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer decades after first exposure.
H.K. Porter Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
People who worked in production for this asbestos manufacturer were at risk of exposure. And workers in a variety of fields who came into contact with H.K. Porter’s asbestos products were also at risk.
Higher Risk Jobs
Engineers
Factory workers
Insulators
Metal workers
Railroad workers
These jobs required close contact with asbestos-containing parts. The parts used were in the manufacturing and maintenance of locomotives and industrial equipment.
H.K. Porter Products That Contained Asbestos
H.K. Porter used asbestos extensively to insulate and fireproof materials in their locomotive engines and boilers. After the company stopped building new locomotives in 1950, asbestos exposure risks persisted because H.K. Porter continued manufacturing and selling asbestos-containing products. The company also acquired several companies that manufactured and sold asbestos-containing products.
Key H.K. Porter Products With Asbestos
Brakes and brake pads
Fireproof cloth
Gaskets
Insulation and packing materials
Pipes and steam valves
Many of these products were sold to shipyards and related industries nationwide, thereby extending the risk of asbestos exposure. The use of asbestos by H.K. Porter continued despite early knowledge of its dangers.
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Asbestos.com. (2026, January 13). H.K. Porter, Inc. Trust Fund and Lawsuits. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/companies/h-k-porter-inc/
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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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