Shook & Fletcher is an insulation manufacturing company based in Decatur, Georgia. The company used asbestos in its insulation until the 1970s, which led to illness in many workers. Lawsuits forced the company into bankruptcy and the creation and funding of an asbestos trust fund.
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Did Shook & Fletcher Use Asbestos?
Shook & Fletcher manufactured insulation products with asbestos until the 1970s. At the time, asbestos was a common choice for insulation. It was inexpensive, abundant, and efficient at insulating and protecting against fire. The company no longer uses asbestos.
Shook & Fletcher Company History
Shook & Fletcher was founded in 1901 in Birmingham, Alabama. It began as a supplier of iron, coal, and bricks to the regional steel industry.
Shook & Fletcher began producing insulation products in 1949. It eventually became the largest manufacturer of industrial insulation in the Southeast.
In 1967, the company’s employees bought Shook & Fletcher, which remains employee-owned today.
Shook & Fletcher used asbestos to make insulation through most of the 1970s. This was around the time the risks of asbestos exposure, including malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, became more widely known.
Although the company replaced asbestos with chemicals that provided the same benefits, it came after many people had already worked with the company’s asbestos-containing products for decades.
Exposure to asbestos through Shook & Fletcher products led to lawsuits from workers who got sick. Eventually, the company filed for bankruptcy and set up an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims.
Which Products Did Shook & Fletcher Make With Asbestos?
Shook & Fletcher created and distributed many different insulating products with asbestos. Insulation was the primary product type it used asbestos to make, but the company also manufactured some other asbestos construction materials.
Shook & Fletcher’s asbestos-containing products included:
- Cement
- Ceramic fiber
- Insulation
- Fiber piping and fiberglass
- Plastic jacketing
- Adhesives
- Tapes
- Ceramic fiber
- Foam
Who Was Exposed to Asbestos in Shook & Fletcher Products?
The first workers at risk of exposure to Shook & Fletcher asbestos products were the company’s employees. They worked in manufacturing facilities handling asbestos and asbestos materials.
More than 30 other manufacturing companies also helped to produce Shook & Fletcher products. All of these workers were at high risk of exposure.
Workers in other industries also risked exposure to asbestos by using Shook & Fletcher insulation and other products. The construction industry, in particular, used a lot of asbestos insulation and other products, putting many types of workers at risk of exposure;
- Insulation workers
- Drywall workers
- Plumbers
- Maintenance workers
- Renovation and repair workers
- Demolition workers
- Laborers
Shook & Fletcher insulation went into buildings in many different industries. People in these workplaces were also at risk:
- Chemical plants
- Steel mills
- Textile mills
- Paper mills
- Power plants
- Factories
- Shipyards
- Oil refineries
Even after Shook & Fletcher discontinued asbestos in products, workers were still in danger as the old products remained at many commercial and industrial locations.
Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Lawsuits
Shook & Fletcher stopped using asbestos in the 1970s, but the damage was already done. Injured workers brought lawsuits against the company, often along with many other asbestos companies.
In one example of a lawsuit against Shook & Fletcher, a widow sued the company and others over her husband’s death from mesothelioma. He worked as an insulator for multiple companies, including Shook & Fletcher. The widow received an $8.4 million jury award.
Shook & Fletcher also lost a lawsuit with its insurer. It sued the insurer in 1993, seeking funds to resolve asbestos claims. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bankruptcy and Trust Fund
By 2002, Shook & Fletcher faced over 55,000 asbestos-related claims and lawsuits.
Rather than continue to engage in legal battles, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under an agreement that it would establish an asbestos trust fund to pay off pending and future asbestos claims.
The Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Settlement Trust was established once the company emerged from bankruptcy. MFR Claims, Inc. handles the company’s asbestos-related claims.
Shook & Fletcher president and CEO Wayne Killion Jr., stated that although the company was financially “healthy,” the lawsuits that began shortly after the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) asbestos regulations led to lawsuits from all over the country.
“We’re a strong company with a healthy balance sheet, and we have a large amount of insurance coverage remaining. We’ve been sued from every area of the country.”
While some previous asbestos-related lawsuits against Shook & Fletcher were eventually dismissed, most cases were settled out of court.
Before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company had already paid out over $400 million in mesothelioma lawsuits and other asbestos-related claims.
According to the company’s asbestos trust fund page, the current payment percentage is currently set at 50%. This is much higher than most asbestos trusts pay.
Shook & Fletcher Today
Shook & Fletcher recovered from its 2002 bankruptcy filing. Headquartered in Decatur, Georgia, the company remains in operation today. It does not use any asbestos in its products today.
Shook & Fletcher continues to focus on commercial and industrial insulation as well as custom products. It has six distribution centers located throughout the Southeast.
If You Were Exposed to Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Products
If you worked with Shook & Fletcher insulation, contact a mesothelioma lawyer to determine your eligibility for compensation through the trust. They can also help you file a claim and ensure you get your fair share.
An experienced asbestos firm can also review your work history to find other potential sources of compensation. If you have an asbestos illness, it’s likely you were exposed by multiple asbestos companies. They can find additional trust funds and help you file a lawsuit against other companies.
Additional Help and Resources
Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you may qualify for significant compensation. 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. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
