The John Crane company made asbestos products for many years. John Crane’s asbestos packing and sealing products caused exposure and asbestos illnesses in many workers. The company continues to face asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits.
If you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial 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 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 John Crane Use Asbestos?
John Crane used asbestos for many years until 1985. It was a crucial ingredient in the company’s seals and packing products that helped prevent leaks and reduce heat loss in machinery and equipment in many industries.
John Crane History
John Crane’s history dates back to 1917 when the company opened in Chicago as the “Crane Packing Company.” John Crane started the company after inventing a new flexible type of metal packing.
- The John Crane Company expanded beyond packing to make seals. It introduced the first automotive mechanical seals in the 1940s. It also innovated gas-lubricated seals.
- Among its customers was the U.S. Navy, which used John Crane seal and packing on many of its ships. John Crane received the Navy’s “E” award for contributions to the war effort in the 1940s.
- The company continued to expand by acquiring other companies, including the TI Group, Global Energy Products, Fiberod, and CDI Energy Services.
- John Crane merged with Smiths Industries, a London-based global technology corporation, in the 2000s and remains part of the Smiths Group today.
Although John Crane’s products helped revolutionize seals and other products, many contained asbestos that exposed workers. The company’s long history with asbestos use in these products led to asbestos-related claims and lawsuits.
John Crane Asbestos Products
Asbestos is lightweight, strong, and flexible, which made it easy to mold into shapes for seals and packing materials. It is also an efficient insulator. This trait helped minimize heat loss from packing and seals.
John Crane used asbestos in several of its products until the 1980s:
- Braided packing
- Ring packing
- Molded packing
- Hydraulic packing
- Rope packing
- Gaskets
- Yarn
- Seals
Workers Affected By John Crane Asbestos Products
Workers in John Crane factories were at high risk of asbestos exposure. They handled asbestos materials and risked inhaling the fibers as they worked.
John Crane provided seals, gaskets, and mechanical packing to many companies in various industries. Not only were the company’s own employees at risk of developing life-threatening illnesses, but workers in these other occupations were at risk as well:
- Boilermakers
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Railroad workers
- Shipyard workers
- Automobile mechanics
- Machinists
- Maintenance workers
- Navy veterans
- Railroad workers
- Paper mill workers
Asbestos Lawsuits Against John Crane
Since John Crane was such a major leader in manufacturing with asbestos, it became one of the prime targets of mesothelioma lawsuits. Many former employees and contractors began developing diseases such as asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The company never filed for bankruptcy, even when faced with many lawsuits, which included multi-million dollar verdicts in favor of several plaintiffs.
For example, in February 2012, John Crane lost a lawsuit from the family of former shipyard worker John Bristow. According to court documents, Bristow worked around and handled John Crane’s asbestos-containing seals and gaskets for decades.
Consequently, Bristow was diagnosed with mesothelioma and died shortly after. Bristow’s loved ones filed a mesothelioma lawsuit on his behalf in Newport News, Virginia.
A jury subsequently found John Crane guilty and 100% responsible for Bristow’s illness and death, even though five other companies were named in the lawsuit.
The family won a $9.18 million verdict.
These are examples of other asbestos cases against John Crane that went in favor of the plaintiffs:
- Richard Daciw worked several jobs that involved asbestos and was also exposed through the work he did on his car and home. After developing asbestosis, Daciw sued several companies. He went to trial against John Crane, and the jury awarded him and his wife $25 million.
- Pipefitter Patrick O’Reilly worked for John Crane as a pipefitter from the 1950s through the 1980s. He developed mesothelioma years later. He sued the company but died before the lawsuit concluded. His estate continued the case and was awarded $4.8 million.
- Navy veteran William Mansir was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2011. Navy veterans have high rates of mesothelioma because of the extensive use of asbestos in ships. Mansir worked on boilers, which were insulated with asbestos. He sued John Crane and other asbestos suppliers to the Navy and was awarded $2.4 million.
- Bruce Torgerson was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 77. He served in the U.S. Army and worked as a laborer and engineer. He sued John Crane, testifying before he died that he was exposed to dust from the company’s packing. After years of delays, a jury in Cook County, Illinois, returned a verdict of more than $40 million for Torgerson’s family.
What John Crane Knew About Asbestos
Many asbestos companies knew of the risks of asbestos exposure but failed to warn workers or provide adequate protection. In one lawsuit against John Crane, lawyers uncovered information indicating the company had some knowledge of the dangers of working with asbestos.
The plaintiff in the case was Perry Wilson Adams. He worked in a paper mill and handled asbestos materials, including John Crane products. Adams died from mesothelioma, and his widow continued his case.
Adams’s lawyers found evidence that John Crane intentionally destroyed sales records showing it sold asbestos products to the company where he worked. They also found that the company destroyed many similar documents from the years it used asbestos. This indicated the company knew of the dangers of asbestos and that it was trying to dodge liability.
John Crane Today
John Crane no longer uses asbestos in any of its products but still faces asbestos-related lawsuits. The company is still based in Chicago and has a global presence in numerous countries.
In addition, John Crane recently acquired several other businesses and created the John Crane Production Solutions (JCPS). The subsidiary specializes in oil and gas production and artificial lift products. John Crane also continues to manufacture gaskets and seals.
If You Were Exposed to John Crane Asbestos Products
You could be at risk for an asbestos illness if you worked for John Crane or with the company’s products. An asbestos law firm can help you seek compensation.
Contact a mesothelioma lawyer to learn more about your legal rights or options. You could be eligible to file a lawsuit against John Crane. You might also qualify to make claims with asbestos trust funds.
Additional Resources for Asbestos Victims
Remember to fill out our form for your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
