Combustion Engineering (CE) was an engineering company that focused on fossil fuel, engineering, and nuclear power products. Over several decades, CE manufactured and distributed asbestos-containing products to various companies. This led to asbestos lawsuits, bankruptcy, and the creation of an asbestos trust fund.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
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Did Combustion Engineering Use Asbestos?
Asbestos was once abundant and inexpensive. Many companies used it for its insulating properties. Asbestos was very common in boilers. Combustion Engineering used asbestos in boilers and other products from the 1930s through the 1980s.
Combustion Engineering History
Combustion Engineering started as a boilers, boiler fuel systems, and dryers manufacturer. It was a merger between Grieve Grate Company and American Stoker Company.
- CE was founded in 1912 in Manhattan. The company soon moved its headquarters to Stamford, Connecticut.
- The company continued manufacturing throughout the 1920s, but in the 1930s, CE added other services and began repairing and improving steam engines and power plant assemblies.
- Combustion Engineering began using asbestos in its boilers in the 1930s.
- It merged with Superheater Company in the 1930s and began building boiler assemblies for oil and coal power plants.
- During World War II, CE contributed to the war effort by making and providing boilers for U.S. Navy ships.
- After the war, CE continued to expand its products, many with asbestos. These included cement, plastics, and nuclear power components.
- In 1990, Asea Brown Boveri (ABB Group) acquired CE. Part of the purchase agreement included ABB taking responsibility for the influx of asbestos-related lawsuits against CE.
- By 2003, the company faced so many costly lawsuits that it was forced to enter into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A trust was established in 2005 to compensate victims of asbestos exposure.
Combustion Engineering ultimately became a subsidiary of Alstom, which was then partly bought by General Electric in 2015. GE does not make Combustion Engineering products but does service CE boilers.
Combustion Engineering Asbestos Products
The majority of CE’s products were manufactured and distributed to other companies.
Since most of CE’s products contained asbestos, thousands of people who worked around CE’s materials began to develop serious illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.
The following products have been verified as containing asbestos:
- Boilers
- Block sticks
- Ropes
- Cement
- Joint material
- Fibrous adhesive
- Wool Blocks
- Kaiser cement and blocks
- Lite Wate 22
- Lite Wate 50
- Permaseal Weathercoating
- WeatherKote Protective Air-Check, Coating, Duriseal, and Thermal Coat
Workers Exposed to Asbestos in Combustion Engineering Products
Handling or working around asbestos materials can lead to harmful exposure. Asbestos releases small fibers into the air that can be inhaled. Workers in CE plants faced high risks of this kind of exposure.
Workers for other companies and other industries also faced exposure from working with and around CE asbestos products:
- Construction workers
- Boiler workers
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Shipyard workers
- Power plant workers
- U.S. Navy service members
Combustion Engineering Lawsuits
By 2002, CE faced 111,000 asbestos-related claims filed after exposed workers developed deadly illnesses from working around the company’s products.
By 2004, ABB settled around 94,000 cases. However, ABB was still close to business failure due to many pending asbestos-related lawsuits.
These are just some of the many lawsuits involving Combustion Engineering and asbestos exposure:
- Jerold Anderson died from mesothelioma. He worked with CE boilers in his position at the Wisconsin Electric Power Company. Anderson’s wife filed a wrongful death lawsuit naming several companies, including Combustion Engineering. She took CE to court, and a jury found the company 29% liable for Anderson’s death.
- Wayne Jackson worked for Combustion Engineering from the 1950s through the 1980s. He died from mesothelioma, and his wife filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Her lawsuit included several defendants, most of whom settled. She took one defendant to court and received a jury award of $1.4 million.
- Shipfitter Glenn Taylor developed mesothelioma in the early 1980s. He sued several companies, including Combustion Engineering. He won several settlements. CE settled for $17,500 for its part in causing his asbestos exposure and illness.
Combustion Engineering Asbestos Personal Injury Trust
ABB filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including a reorganization plan and trust fund to compensate current and future plaintiffs. The company stayed in bankruptcy for three years.
Afterward, the company set up the asbestos trust fund under the reorganization plan. Over $900 million has already been paid out to plaintiffs.
The company placed an estimated $1.4 billion into its asbestos trust fund. As of 2020, the payment percentage to claimants is 18.5%.
In addition to the asbestos trust fund, ABB also offered company stock and cash as forms of compensation. Around $350 million in company stock and cash payments were made from 200-2009.
Seeking Compensation if You Have an Asbestos Illness
If you worked with any CE asbestos products, talk to a mesothelioma lawyer about your legal rights. They can determine if you are eligible to file a claim with the trust and take you through the process.
An asbestos attorney can also investigate your work history to determine which companies can be held liable for your exposure. In most cases, more than one company is liable. You could qualify for additional trust funds or a lawsuit.
Legal Information and Resources for Asbestos Victims
If you’ve been injured by asbestos, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
