Insulation contractor C. E. Thurston & Sons, Inc. once used asbestos products. C.E. Thurston distributed these asbestos-containing to many different industries and workplaces. Asbestos exposure and resulting illnesses led to lawsuits, bankruptcy, and an asbestos trust fund.
With more than $30 billion currently set aside in trust funds, you may qualify for substantial compensation if you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Did C.E. Thurston Use Asbestos?
C.E. Thurston & Sons never made asbestos insulation. It distributed and installed asbestos insulation for many years. Because it used asbestos materials, the company has been held liable for asbestos exposure and resulting illnesses in workers and others.
C.E. Thurston History
Established in 1919, C.E. Thurston started as a mechanical packing and manufacturing company in Virginia.
- Later, the company added insulation contracting to its business and began offering services to numerous companies. This work included insulation removal, repair, and installation.
- Although C.E. Thurston was not personally responsible for manufacturing asbestos products, many companies it worked with did make asbestos products.
- In the 1970s, the company phased out asbestos in the products it used for contracting services. It stopped using asbestos altogether by the end of the decade.
- In 1991, C.E. Thurston bought Mechanical Insulation Services, Inc., an insulation contractor. It bought other companies during the 1980s and 1990s to expand its services to more states and regions.
- C.E. Thurston eventually faced thousands of lawsuits through its own use of asbestos and asbestos use by companies it acquired. It created the Asbestos Claims Facility to resolve these lawsuits, but it eventually went defunct.
Ultimately, C.E. Thurston was forced to seek protection in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It emerged and reorganized in 2006. Today, it continues to provide insulation contracting services as well as asbestos abatement and safety training.
Who Was Affected by C.E. Thurston’s Asbestos Use?
C.E. Thurston did not directly manufacture asbestos, but they hired workers to distribute and install asbestos-containing insulation.
Insulation installation workers face the highest risks of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other forms of illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.
None of the workers were required to wear protective gear and clothing to help reduce the risk of asbestos fibers inhalation.
Further, people who never worked for C.E. Thurston but were around the products that the company distributed are also at risk for developing life-threatening diseases, including:
- Repair workers
- Construction workers
- Painters
- Shipbuilders
- Ship mechanics
- Power plant workers
U.S. Navy veterans have higher rates of mesothelioma than other populations, mostly due to the extensive use of asbestos insulation on ships. C.E. Thurston was one of several contractors that worked with the Navy to build and insulate vessels.
C.E. Thurston Asbestos Lawsuits
Beginning in the 1980s, C.E. Thurstan faced thousands of lawsuits over asbestos exposure and resulting illnesses. The company entered into the Wellington Agreement in 1985 to resolve the lawsuits with 33 other companies.
According to the Duke University School of Law, the Wellington Agreement was a signed agreement created for select companies to handle massive amounts of asbestos-related claims.
It was named after Harry Wellington, the former Dean of Yale University Law School. Unfortunately, the agreement was suspended only a few short years later after several companies withdrew.
The C.E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust
Afterward, C.E. Thurston attempted another agreement known as the Center for Claims Resolution (CCR). It started in 2001, but in 2003, the company decided to handle asbestos-related claims alone and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
As a result, the C.E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust was created, which remains open today.
As of 2006, around $53 million was in the company’s trust fund. In 2012, it was temporarily suspended while the payment percentage for each claim was investigated.
A few months later, the trust fund opened again with a new payment percentage for claimants: 25%.
Although the percentage revision lowered the payment amount for claimants, it was necessary to compensate for future asbestos claims.
C.E. Thurston Today
C.E. Thurston remains in operation. Instead of working with companies associated with asbestos use, the business is now a leading company in asbestos abatement and lead abatement.
The company still offers insulation contracting services but focuses on customers in the commercial and industrial sectors.
How to Get Compensation if You Worked with C.E. Thurston Products
If you think C.E. Thurston exposed you to asbestos, contact a mesothelioma lawyer to seek compensation. They can investigate your work history to find all of the companies that could be held liable for your asbestos exposure.
They can help you make a claim with the C.E. Thurston trust or others. They can also determine if a lawsuit makes sense, and if so, will file for you and give you the best chance of receiving compensation.
Additional Resources for Asbestos Victims
Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, there is a good chance you’ll qualify for considerable 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.
