Federal-Mogul Corporation

The Federal-Mogul Corporation is a manufacturing company for a variety of industrial products. The company no longer uses asbestos in products, but its past high asbestos use led to illness in workers and consumers and resulting lawsuits.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you might be entitled to 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. 

Federal-Mogul Corporation History

Federal-Mogul was created in 1899 by J. Howard Muzzy and Edward Lyon. The founders formed two companies together to create the Muzzy-Lyon Company.

Shortly after, they acquired a subsidiary, Mogul Metal Company, and began manufacturing diecast bearings for engines. In 1910, the company’s first significant order came when Buick asked for 10,000 bearings.

In 1924, Mogul Metal Company merged with Federal Bearing and Bushing and became known as Federal-Mogul Corporation. The company continued to expand slowly, but the years 1941 through 1945 provided the biggest growth after Federal-Mogul began producing products to help during World War II.

After that, Federal-Mogul purchased numerous other manufacturers to add to its growing business.

Federal-Mogul and Asbestos Use

Federal-Mogul purchased additional companies that used asbestos. It did so knowing that these businesses manufactured asbestos-containing materials.

Two manufacturers, in particular, Turner & Newall and Fel-Pro, were known for their heavy use of asbestos in seals, gaskets, construction materials, and more.

By 2001, the sheer amount of asbestos-related against Federal-Mogul reached a point in which they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It took six years for the company to come out of bankruptcy fully.

Once it emerged from bankruptcy, the company created an asbestos trust fund for a reorganization agreement.

In 2007, the amount funded to the trust fund, which is to be used to compensate pending and future claims, was around $635 million.

Federal-Mogul Asbestos Claims and Lawsuits

Although Federal-Mogul tried earnestly to avoid filing for bankruptcy, nothing could prevent the company from facing the overabundant and growing amount of asbestos-related claims and lawsuits.

By the time Federal-Mogul filed for bankruptcy, there were already over 300,000 claims. The following asbestos-related lawsuit is just one of the numerous cases that Federal-Mogul faced:

Texaco Workers’ Lawsuit

In 2001, a total of 22 former Texaco employees and contractors won $35.2 million in an asbestos-related lawsuit against Federal-Mogul’s former owners.

According to court documents, the workers were employed at one of Texaco’s refineries, where they worked with and around Flexitallic gaskets that contained excessive amounts of asbestos.

The plaintiffs were eventually diagnosed with asbestosis after working at the refinery from the 1940s through the 1970s.

The former owners of Federal-Mogul that were found liable for damages included U.S. Gypsum Co. and Gasket Holdings (the owners of Flexitallic). Individual plaintiffs were awarded $1.6 million each.

Occupations Affected by Federal-Mogul Products

The vast manufacturing and distribution of asbestos-containing products placed workers in various occupations in danger of fatal health problems. The following jobs are among the most common that were affected by Federal-Mogul’s products:

• Construction workers
• Auto mechanics
• Shipyard workers
• Refinery workers
• Refractory plant workers
• Employees who manufactured products for companies that were acquired by Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul Corporation Today

Federal-Mogul still operates. Known as Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation, the company focuses on supplying various automotive and equipment parts to the world.

It also designs, creates, and manufactures original equipment power-train components, as well as systems protection products, which are used for transportation applications.

Contact a mesothelioma lawyer if Federal-Mogul asbestos products harmed you or your family. They can help you seek compensation.

Additional Information and Legal Resources for Asbestos Victims

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area.