A.P. Green Industries relied heavily on asbestos to make high-heat refractory products. This led to exposure and asbestos illnesses in many workers. Some filed lawsuits, forcing the company to set up an asbestos trust fund to ensure future claimants received compensation.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you might be entitled to substantial compensation. 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.
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Did A.P. Green Use Asbestos?
A.P. Green Industries manufactured refractory materials, like fireproof bricks, that had to withstand very high temperatures. The products were used in many industries that generated a lot of heat, such as steel and metal working.
A.P. Green used asbestos in its refractory products for decades. Asbestos effectively resists high heat and temperature and fireproofs materials.
A.P. Green Industries History
A.P. Green Industries started as a small brick-making company in Mexico, Missouri. Allen Percival Green founded the company in 1910.
- Green more than doubled his investment within five years as his business expanded. He purchased a larger factory and began specializing in refractory products that could withstand fire and extremely high temperatures.
- To withstand such extreme temperatures, A.P. Green Industries relied on asbestos.
- U.S. Gypsum acquired A.P. Green in 1967. The company merged with Global Industrial Technologies, another refractory company, in 1998.
- The new company was investigated by the Federal Trade Commission for antitrust violations. In response, it sold a division to RHI Refractories American.
- ANH Refractories Company was formed in 2002 when A.P. Green, NARCO (North American Refractories Company), and Harbison-Walker left RHI. A.P. Green no longer exists independently.
A.P. Green filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos lawsuits when ANH was formed. It created an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims.
Which A.P. Green Products Contained Asbestos?
A.P. Green made refractory products, materials designed to withstand very high heat. Asbestos was ideal for these products, so the company used it for decades until the 1970s.
Asbestos was used in several A.P. Green Industries products, including:
- A. P. Green Insulating Cement
- Kast-O-Lite
- Greencast
- SK-7 Insulating Castables
- Green PC
- Castable Block Mix
- Insulation Adhesive
- Insulation Coating
- Mizzou GR
Workers from different occupational fields began developing malignant mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and other asbestos injuries due to the asbestos fibers from the company’s products.
A.P. Green Industries Asbestos Lawsuits
In just a little over 12 years, from 1995 to 2007, A.P. Green Industries faced over 350,000 asbestos-related lawsuits. Workers and contractors who fell ill from constant asbestos exposure brought these suits against the company.
Five plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against A.P. Green, Harbison-Walker, Armstrong Contracting and Supply, and other companies for asbestos exposure. They won a verdict of $40 million against the defendants.
In 2002, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They cited an economic recession as the reason behind filing for bankruptcy. The primary reason stemmed from the many asbestos-related lawsuits brought against them.
To file for bankruptcy, however, A.P. Green Industries was required to set up an asbestos trust fund to handle all future claims.
Since the U.S. Gypsum Company acquired A.P. Green Industries in 1967, the asbestos trust fund is set up under the United States Gypsum (USG) Asbestos Personal Injury Trust.
Currently, A.P. Green Industries has paid over $400 million to asbestos victims.
Who Was Affected By A.P. Green Industries Asbestos?
Refractory companies created products used in several industries. Workers from all types of industries were placed at risk.
For instance, installers and technicians were constantly exposed to cement and adhesives containing asbestos, while repair workers and plant workers were exposed to asbestos in machinery and equipment.
According to estimations, most A.P. Green Industries’ products contained around 15% or more asbestos.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that no amount of asbestos is safe, regardless of how little or how much a product contains.
The A.P. Green Asbestos Trust
Hundreds of thousands of lawsuits against A.P. Green led to the formation of an asbestos trust fund during bankruptcy proceedings.
The A.P. Green asbestos trust exists under the U.S. Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Trust. This is because U.S. Gypsum acquired the company in the 1960s. The trust began taking claims in 2013. The A.P. Green Asbestos trust fund’s initial payment percentage was 4.5%.
Compensation for Workers Exposed to A.P. Green Asbestos
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos or think you may have been, contact your physician immediately for a medical checkup. Then, talk to a mesothelioma lawyer to learn about your legal and compensation options.
You cannot sue A.P. Green for damages, but you may be able to get compensation through an asbestos trust fund. A lawyer can investigate your work history to determine which companies exposed you to asbestos and which trusts you qualify for.
Additional Information and Legal Resources
Fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
