Bestwall Gypsum

Bestwall Gypsum was a manufacturer of building products. The company is still in operation today, as part of Georgia-Pacific, in Atlanta. Although the company no longer uses asbestos to make its products, Bestwall Gypsum relied on the harmful material for its insulation and fire-resistant properties for many decades.

If you or a loved one have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, 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.

Bestwall Gypsum History

Bestwall Gypsum was founded in 1961, but its origins started from Beaver Products’ Bestwall, a gypsum wallboard.

In 1928, CertainTeed Corporation bought Beavers Products’ Bestwall. At the time, CertainTeed Corporation was one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of gypsum-related products.

The success of the company continued to grow throughout the 1950s, and stockholders created a spin-off company named Bestwall Gypsum.

Along with gypsum products, the company added additional products to its line, including joint and spackling compounds.

In 1965, Georgia-Pacific, a paper product manufacturing company, purchased Bestwall Gypsum. At the time, both Georgia-Pacific and Bestwall not only continued to use asbestos in products but also knew of its health dangers. It hid the information from consumers and workers.

In fact, Bestwall Gypsum continued asbestos use until the late 1970s, after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed strict regulations on its use.

Bestwall Gypsum Mesothelioma Lawsuits

During the 1980s, the first signs of illness began to surface in many of Bestwall Gypsum’s former employees.

Customers were also being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, which were traced back to the use of both Bestwall Gypsum and Georgia-Pacific’s products. Former employees and consumers began filing asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits.

Merlin Olsen

Former television star and NFL football player Merlin Olsen was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2009.

After in-depth investigations, his mesothelioma attorney discovered that Olsen was exposed to asbestos while working as a broadcaster for NBC, which used Bestwall Gypsum products.

While working at age 11, Olsen was also exposed to asbestos when performing general maintenance duties for a company that used Bestwall Gypsum products.

In 2010, Olsen died of complications surrounding malignant mesothelioma. His wife, June Olsen, pursued a lawsuit on his behalf against Georgia-Pacific, CertainTeed Corporation (in connection with Bestwall Gypsum), and numerous other companies.

Although NBC was eventually dropped from the lawsuit, in 2011, the lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount by the remaining companies, including Georgia-Pacific.

By 2005, Georgia-Pacific had already faced over 300,000 asbestos-related claims, equaling a total of $830 million.

Occupations Affected by Bestwall Gypsum Products

Not only were Bestwall Gypsum employees placed at risk for life-threatening asbestos illnesses, but many workers in different companies worked with and/or around products that the company distributed.

The following occupations are among the many that were placed at direct risk because of Bestwall Gypsum:

• Maintenance workers
• Shipyard workers
• Construction workers
• Insulation installers
• Machinists

Asbestos-Containing Products Manufactured by Bestwall Gypsum

Bestwall Gypsum manufactured numerous different types of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

The following ACMs were manufactured and sold by Bestwall Gypsum between 1950 through 1977:

• Drywall adhesive
• Kalite acoustical plaster
• Dry, triple-duty, and all-purpose joint compound
• Spackling compound
• Topping compound
• Bedding compound
• Texture
• Cement

You might be eligible for compensation if you worked with Bestwall Gypsum asbestos products. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer to determine your options.

Additional Information and Legal Resources

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area.