J.T. Thorpe is one of the biggest industrial refractory contractors in the U.S. J.T. Thorpe once installed asbestos products in workplaces, resulting in exposure and illness in workers. After facing asbestos lawsuits, the company eventually filed for bankruptcy and set up an asbestos trust fund.
If you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. 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.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
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- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Did J.T. Thorpe Use Asbestos?
J.T. Thorpe provides and installs refractory materials designed to withstand high temperatures. It also provides fireproofing, insulation, coatings, and scaffolding.
J.T. Thorpe used asbestos materials in its refractory installations in the past. Asbestos was once commonly used as insulation and in refractory materials to resist heat and protect against fire. J.T. Thorpe no longer uses asbestos.
J.T. Thorpe and Son, Inc. History
J.T. Thorpe was founded in San Francisco in 1906, installing commercial and then large industrial furnaces.
- One of the company’s first big jobs was installing equipment for Standard Oil in California. It then began working on projects throughout the Bay Area. J.T. Thorpe installed furnaces and refractory products on ships, in refineries, and in power plants.
- Beginning in the 1930s, J.T. Thorpe supplied shipyards and many U.S. Navy ships. Asbestos products on Navy ships have led to high rates of mesothelioma in veterans.
- During the 1980s, the company developed business in other areas, creating plants and facilities throughout Northern California.
- By the 1990s, J.T. Thorpe opened offices in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Tucson. The company also started maintenance work, expanding not only throughout the U.S. but also overseas.
- By the end of the 1990s, J.T. Thorpe had expanded its business considerably, adding numerous new industries and markets.
J.T. Thorpe employees and thousands of people in industries where the company installed products were exposed to harmful asbestos fibers. This led to illnesses, lawsuits, and ultimately, J.T. Thorpe’s bankruptcy and asbestos trust fund.
Asbestos Products Used By J.T. Thorpe
J.T. Thorpe didn’t manufacture asbestos products. It installed asbestos products and materials in commercial and industrial workplaces:
- Firebricks
- Insulation
- Refractory blocks
- Refractory cement
- Textiles
Occupations Affected by J.T. Thorpe Asbestos Installations
J.T. Thorpe workers had high risks of asbestos exposure. They handled and installed asbestos products on the job, which could release harmful fibers.
Also at risk were workers in locations that contained asbestos materials installed by J.T. Thorpe, including:
- Oil refinery workers
- Steel mill workers
- Shipyard workers
- Foundry workers
- Insulators
- Construction workers
- Pipefitters
- Boilermakers
- Steamfitters
- Maintenance workers
- U.S. Navy service members
J.T. Thorpe Asbestos Lawsuits
J.T. Thorpe’s asbestos use in installing refractory and other products led to exposure in many workers, some of whom got sick as a result. Many workers with asbestos illnesses filed lawsuits against J.T. Thorpe, seeking damages. These are just two examples:
- Ervan Groves worked for Masonite Corporation in California. From the 1960s through the 1990s, he installed electrical equipment and pipes insulated with asbestos. After getting sick years later, Groves and his wife sued J.T. Thorpe and others and won a $3 million award. J.T. Thorpe was found 10% liable for the damages.
- Secundino Medina developed mesothelioma in 2009 and died from it in 2010. He worked in factories from the late 1950s through the 1980s. He was exposed to asbestos through many companies. Medina’s family sued J.T. Thorpe and others for his asbestos exposure and wrongful death. A jury in California awarded the Medina family $38.9 million.
J.T. Thorpe Bankruptcy and Asbestos Trust Fund
J.T. Thorpe faced so many asbestos-related claims and lawsuits that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002. Before filing for bankruptcy, the company had already faced over 80,000 claims and paid over $100 million.
When J.T. Thorpe emerged from bankruptcy in 2006, it created the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust to solve asbestos-related claims and pay future claimants. The trust was funded with $233 million.
As of May 2022, the payment percentage for the asbestos trust is 50%. This means claimants receive half of their full claim amounts.
It is important to distinguish this trust from others with similar names that are unrelated: J.T. Thorpe Company Successor Trust and Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust.
J.T. Thorpe and Son, Inc. Today
J.T. Thorpe remains in business today and focuses on various services in the refractory contracting field. Although the company is still paying off claims, it no longer uses asbestos in its products.
If you worked with or around J.T. Thorpe products, you could be at risk for an asbestos illness. A lawyer specializing in mesothelioma can help you pursue compensation.
Additional Information and Resources for Asbestos Victims
Don’t forget to fill out our form for our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
