H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust Fund
In the first half of the 20th century, H.K. Porter was the nation’s largest producer of locomotives, using asbestos products to fireproof and insulate its locomotives and industrial parts. After being found liable for exposing countless workers and consumers to asbestos through its products, H.K. Porter set up an asbestos trust fund in 1998 to compensate exposed victims. If you or a loved one were harmed by H.K. Porter’s asbestos products, contact The Gori Law Firm for more information on your legal rights and options.
- H.K. Porter used asbestos in many of its products in the 20th century, from railroad locomotives to industrial parts.
- The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust began with $77 million in funding and currently contains about $20 million.
- Claimants must meet certain medical and exposure criteria in order to access funds from the trust.
- Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the claims process and maximize your chance of a successful and fair payout.
H.K. Porter Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a highly toxic mineral that puts workers and their families at risk for asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Still, H.K. Porter knowingly used asbestos in its products and was later found legally responsible for exposing countless people to asbestos. After facing over 100,000 lawsuits and paying out hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements, H.K. Porter filed for bankruptcy in 1991. Seven years later, the company established the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust to compensate victims of asbestos exposure as part of its reorganization plan.
H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust Eligibility Requirements
To receive compensation from an asbestos trust fund, claimants must meet certain eligibility requirements regarding their diagnosis and the circumstances of their exposure. H.K. Porter compensates victims of four “disease levels”: mesothelioma, lung cancer, other cancer, and non-malignancy. The eligibility requirements for filing a claim vary based on your level, though all claimants must submit at least one diagnostic report from a qualified physician.
Medical Requirements
Again, medical requirements for the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust vary by disease level, and the trust maintains the right to request additional medical documentation for all individual claims. By disease level, the baseline requirements are as follows:
- Mesothelioma – Claims must be supported by a pathology report confirming the diagnosis to secure mesothelioma compensation.
- Asbestos-related lung cancer – Claims must be supported by a physician’s opinion attributing the cancer wholly or partly to asbestos exposure or by proof of at least 10 years of occupational exposure.
- Other cancers – Claims must be supported by additional medical documentation and a physician’s opinion attributing the cancer at least partly to asbestos exposure or by proof of at least 10 years of occupational exposure.
- Non-malignant asbestos-related diseases – Claims must be supported by additional medical documentation, such as chest X-ray reports.
Exposure Requirements
The exposure requirements for the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust vary based on the disease in question and the circumstances surrounding it. Generally, all claimants must provide evidence of their asbestos exposure, including information about job sites, occupations, dates of employment, and dates of exposure.
History of Asbestos Use in H.K. Porter Products
Unfortunately, H.K. Porter used asbestos in its locomotives for decades. The toxic material was used to insulate train engines, which operated at extremely high temperatures. The presence of asbestos, however, was a death sentence for many workers employed by H.K. Porter and in the rail industry. Moreover, because asbestos fibers are an airborne hazard, anyone working at a job site was at risk. If asbestos particles are inhaled, they lodge themselves in the lining of the lungs, heart, or chest cavity.
As early as the 1920s, physicians recognized that exposure to asbestos caused severe sickness when British medical journals identified asbestosis. At the same time, insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada stopped selling life insurance to asbestos workers. Moreover, safer substitutes for most asbestos uses were known as early as the 1930s. Nevertheless, H.K. Porter chose to protect its substantial profit margins rather than discontinue its use of the deadly mineral.
Asbestos fibers remain in a person’s lungs for years, and symptoms may not develop for decades. Accordingly, H.K. Porter’s victims can live for forty years or more without knowing they are quietly developing a deadly illness. Even after H.K. Porter ended locomotive production in 1950, the company continued manufacturing and selling asbestos products, including conveyor belts, elevator belts, oil field products, and ducting. H.K. Porter’s asbestos products ended up in shipyards and factories across the country.
H.K. Porter Products Containing Asbestos
H.K. Porter used various asbestos-containing parts in its locomotives, and when the company acquired other manufacturers, its line of asbestos products only grew. Some of the most common asbestos-containing products manufactured, distributed, and used by H.K. Porter include:
- Brakes and brake pads
- Ductwork
- Fireproof cloth
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Packing materials
- Refractory materials
- Steam valves
- Tools
- Water tanks
Jobs at High Risk of Exposure to Asbestos in H.K. Porter Products
Some occupations have historically faced a higher risk of asbestos exposure than others. For instance, modern-day construction workers tend to face more exposure. Even workers who did not handle asbestos directly could have been exposed to airborne fibers released by other workers on the job site. Some of the highest-risk jobs for exposure to asbestos in H.K. Porter products include:
Don't Wait — File Your H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust Claim Today
If you or a loved one developed an asbestos-related disease as a result of exposure through H.K. Porter products, you may be eligible to recover compensation from the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust. When filing a trust fund claim, having a skilled lawyer on your side increases your chance of securing a fair payout. With over 20 years of experience litigating mesothelioma claims and over a century of combined legal experience, our asbestos attorneys have the knowledge and skill to file a strong asbestos trust fund claim on your behalf.
Since our founding in 2008, The Gori Law Firm has recovered more than $4 billion in case results for victims of asbestos exposure throughout the U.S. Our team works closely with our clients to provide the personalized support and resources they need throughout the legal process. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos through employment at H.K. Porter or exposure to the company’s products, call (618) 659-9833 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
