The Abex Corporation, a Virginia-based company that specialized in asbestos brakes, faced many mesothelioma lawsuits over the years. Ownership of Abex changed hands a few times, and the parent companies eventually set up an asbestos trust fund to compensate claimants.
If you suffer from mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
Did Abex Use Asbestos?
Abex Corporation used asbestos in many of its products until the 1980s. Like similar manufacturers, Abex relied on asbestos for its insulating properties. In friction products, like brakes, asbestos was used to prevent overheating and fire.
History of The Abex Corporation
- The Abex Corporation began as the American Brake Shoe and Foundry, founded in 1902 when five railroad brake show manufacturers consolidated.
- In addition to manufacturing asbestos railroad brakes, the company produced wheels and other parts for railroad cars. It eventually expanded its product line to include friction parts and hydraulic systems for the automotive, railroad, and aerospace industries.
- To reflect its more diverse product line, American Brake Shoe and Foundry changed its name to Abex in 1966.
- In 1968, Illinois Central Industries Inc. purchased Abex and, ten years later, merged it with the Pneumo Corporation.
- Cooper Industries acquired the Abex Friction Products division in 1994. Federal-Mogul Corporation acquired both the friction products line and Abex Corporation in 1998.
- Abex first began to use asbestos in the 1920s. A subsidiary called American Brake Materials Corporation introduced a new brake product that contained asbestos. The company continued using asbestos throughout the 1980s.
- This led to exposure and workers over many years and eventually asbestos-related illnesses in some. Many of these workers filed lawsuits that eventually led to Federal-Mogul’s bankruptcy and the funding of a trust to compensate victims. Today, Federal-Mogul still owns the Abex brand.
What Abex Products Were Made With Asbestos?
Abex made many items that contained asbestos because it specialized in friction products. These are products that must be able to withstand the heat generated by friction to avoid overheating and fire.
Some of the products Abex made with asbestos include:
- Brakes
- Brake linings
- Brake shoes
It is likely that Abex also used asbestos in some of its hydraulic systems, control systems for aircraft, and railroad car components.
Who Was at Risk of Exposure to Asbestos in Abex Products?
Abex employees involved in the manufacturing of the company’s products had very high risks of asbestos exposure. They handled asbestos directly or worked near others who did. Handing asbestos releases fibers, which workers are likely to inhale.
Thousands of workers across many different companies were also affected, including those who installed Abex products into automobiles, aircraft, and trains and mechanics who repaired and replaced asbestos-containing parts.
Abex Asbestos Lawsuits
Abex and its parent companies began facing lawsuits over asbestos exposure in the 1990s. Workers who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses sued for damages:
- Charles Gillenwater worked as a pipefitter in the 1970s. He inhaled asbestos fibers and later developed mesothelioma. He sued several companies, including Pneumo Abex. A jury awarded him $9.6 million in compensatory damages and $80 million in punitive damages. The companies held liable included Pneumo Abex, Honeywell, and Owens-Illinois. An appeals court threw out the punitive award.
- Gary Hampton died from peritoneal mesothelioma after working as a mechanic for many years. He worked with and handled Abex brakes and other parts that contained asbestos. Hampton’s family sued in 2014 and received a $37 million jury award.
- Another mechanic, Gordon Bankhead, worked with Abex automotive products and was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2010. He died within a year, and his family continued his lawsuit against Abex. They won $11 million in 2014.
Bankruptcy and Abex Asbestos Trust Fund
Federal-Mogul filed for bankruptcy in 2001. The company faced lawsuits over Abex products and asbestos products made by several other companies it acquired.
Cooper Industries also took responsibility for the liabilities associated with Abex asbestos products. Together, the companies set up the Pneumo Abex Asbestos Claims Settlement Trust in 2011 with $307 million.
The trust faced legal issues in 2018 when companies that had acquired Cooper Industries in 2012 tried to avoid paying into the trust. Eaton Corporation was ordered to contribute $293 million.
Abex Conceals the Dangers of Asbestos
Although many lawsuits surfaced after Abex closed its doors, one particular case resulted in information that the company willingly withheld information on the dangers of asbestos.
Abex knew of the life-threatening hazards that can occur after inhaling asbestos fibers, but they concealed the details from employees and contractors.
A jury found the company guilty of knowingly and willingly concealing asbestos hazards. The plaintiff won $20 million.
EPA Names Abex a Superfund Site
A Superfund site is an abandoned or closed area contaminated by hazardous materials. The hazardous wastes are so severe that the ecosystem and local residents are affected.
After investigating the site, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Abex as one of the most hazardous waste sites in the nation, containing not only asbestos but excessive amounts of lead.
In 1992, the federal government ordered the company to clean up the site and remove the soil.
If you worked for Abex or used the company’s asbestos products, a mesothelioma lawyer can help you seek compensation.
What to Do if You Were Exposed to Abex Asbestos Products
If you worked with Abex products, you could be at risk for mesothelioma and other illnesses. If you receive a diagnosis, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer.
Asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers can explain your options for seeking compensation. They can guide your next steps and ensure you get the best chance of recovering damages, either through asbestos trust funds, a lawsuit, or both.
Legal Resources For Those Affected By Asbestos
Remember, if you or a loved one have been injured by asbestos, there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Don’t forget to fill out the form for our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area.
