Rapid-American Corporation (Philip Carey Manufacturing Corp.)

Rapid-American Corporation’s predecessor, the Philip Carey Manufacturing Corporation, used asbestos in its insulation and industrial equipment. Lawsuits related to asbestos exposure led to bankruptcy in 2013. Rapid-American created an asbestos trust and now exists solely to compensate claimants.

With more than $30 billion currently set aside in trust funds, you may qualify for substantial compensation if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer. Le invitamos a completar nuestro formulario hoy para obtener una cotización gratuita. Paquete de compensación financiera, lleno de información sobre abogados con experiencia en mesotelioma en su área, cómo recibir el pago en 90 días, cómo presentar un reclamo ante un fondo fiduciario de asbesto y mucho más. 

Did Rapid-American Use Asbestos?

Rapid-American did not use asbestos. It became embroiled in asbestos liabilities because of asbestos use by Philip Carey. Rapid-American was created as a merger that included Philip Carey. It took on its predecessor’s asbestos liabilities.

Philip Carey/Rapid-American History

• Established in 1873 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Philip Carey Manufacturing Corporation was an insulation company that mined and used asbestos for decades.

• The company’s insulation was used in machinery and products such as boilers, pipes, and generators. It supplied steel mills, refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial workplaces.

• Rapid-American merged with Philip Carey in 1972. Previously, Rapid-American did not use asbestos. It was only the merger with Philip Carey that made it liable for asbestos claims.

• Rapid-American faced its first asbestos lawsuits in the late 1970s.

• Although Rapid-American didn’t manufacture asbestos-containing products, its merger with several companies that did, including Philip Carey, eventually led to bankruptcy.

Philip Carey/Rapid-American Asbestos Products

Rapid-American did not make asbestos products, but Philip Carey did. Philip Carey’s primary type of product was insulation, which at the time was almost always made with asbestos.

Philip Carey was also associated with asbestos through mines. Carey Canada owned asbestos mines in Quebec and supplied the company to make its insulation products.

Philip Carey manufactured numerous asbestos-containing products, including:

• Carey Thermo-Board Concrete
• Carey Rock Wool
• Asbestos Magnesia Diatomite Rock Wool
• Fire-Chex Singles
• Carey Ceramo Glazed Asbestos Siding
• Carey Ceramo Baked-on Ceramic Finish
• Carey Hi-Temp No. 19 (asbestos fiber bonded into commercial pipe insulation)
• Fibrated Emulsion
• Carey Fireclad Jacketing
• Careystone Asbestos Cement Roofing

Who Wast at Risk of Exposure to Philip Carey Asbestos Products?

Philip Carey workers who manufactured asbestos insulation in plants faced high risks of asbestos exposure. By handling and manipulating asbestos and asbestos materials, they were at high risk of inhaling the harmful fibers.

Workers in many other ocupaciones and at other companies were also at risk of exposure to asbestos insulation. These workers handled asbestos products, installed or repaired them, or even worked near them and were at risk of exposure:

• Maquinistas
• Factory Workers
• electricistas
• Metal Workers
• Insulation Installers and Repairers
• Boilermakers
• Instaladores de tuberías
• Fontaneros
• Chemical Plant Workers
• Oil Refinery Workers
• Steel Mill Workers
• Textile Mill Workers
• Power Plant Workers

Rapid-American Asbestos Lawsuits

Rapid-American began facing lawsuits over asbestos exposure and illness as early as the 1970s. These are a few notable examples of Rapid-American asbestos lawsuits:

• Henry Pustejovsky developed asbestosis and mesothelioma after a career as a metal worker. He initially sued Johns Manville over asbestosis. When he received a mesothelioma diagnosis, he sued Rapid-American and other suppliers. A judge initially dismissed the case based on the statute of limitations, but the decision was reversed in the Texas Supreme Court. The decision meant he had a legal right to sue again for a second asbestos illness.

• Julius Novicki died from mesothelioma in 1995. He worked as a welder and used asbestos products supplied by several companies. Novicki’s family sued Rapid-American and others for wrongful death in 1997.

• Jesse Domanske made asbestos shingles at a Philip Carey plant. He died from mesothelioma. Domanske’s widow filed a lawsuit, but Rapid-American won summary judgment and had the case dismissed.

Rapid-American Bankruptcy and Asbestos Trust Fund

The accumulation of asbestos-related claims got so high that by 2013, Rapid-American filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with more than 275,000 claims against it, equaling over $100 million.

Under 13-10687, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan), the company listed its assets at $86.9 million and cited asbestos-related claims as the reason for bankruptcy.

“Recently, Rapid has experienced an increase in the number of mesothelioma claims being filed against it and an increase in the dollar amount sought to settle claims,” said Rapid-American Vice President Paul Weiner.

In 2021, Rapid-American put forth a plan to liquidate its assets and establish an fondo fiduciario para el amianto for claimants. Today, claimants can file with the Rapid-American Asbestos Personal Injury Liquidating Trust.

Seeking Compensation for Exosure to Philip Carey Asbestos Products

If you worked with Rapid-American or Philip Carey products and now have an asbestos illness, talk to un abogado especializado en mesotelioma. They can help you get compensation through the trust.

A lawyer can also review your work history and determine if any other companies could be held liable for your illness. You could be eligible for additional trusts or a lawsuit.

Additional Resources and Help for Asbestos Victims

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, there is a good chance you’ll qualify for considerable 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.