North American Refractories Asbestos Trust Fund
The North American Refractories Company (NARCO) Asbestos Trust was established in 2013 as part of the company’s bankruptcy reorganization plan. The asbestos trust fund was originally funded with over $6 billion to handle claims arising from exposure to asbestos products manufactured, sold, or distributed by NARCO or its predecessors. Over 300,000 claims have since been filed.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease as a result of exposure to NARCO products, reach out to The Gori Law Firm today to learn more about your rights and eligibility for compensation. Call (618) 659-9833 or contact us to schedule your free consultation.
- The North American Refractories Company (NARCO), a fireproof refractory product manufacturer, used asbestos in many of its products throughout the 20th century, exposing thousands of workers to asbestos.
- NARCO formed an asbestos trust fund in 2013 as part of its bankruptcy proceedings, providing a way for victims of exposure to NARCO’s asbestos-containing products to receive compensation for their illnesses.
- An attorney can assist you in filing your trust fund claim on time and with the right documents to give you the best chance of recovery.
North American Refractories Company (NARCO) Asbestos Lawsuits
The North American Refractories Company specializes in high-grade fireproof refractory products used in industries like cement, lime, steel, and glass manufacturing for their high-temperature resistance. Historically focused on the steel industry, the company operated four factories with around 700 employees.
For decades, NARCO used asbestos in its products for its heat resistance and affordability despite knowing the significant health risks it posed as early as the 1920s. The lack of protection for workers led to severe health issues and enormous litigation costs. Even though safer substitutes for asbestos were introduced as early as the 1930s, NARCO continued using asbestos to protect its profits. In 2002, NARCO filed for bankruptcy protection and was ordered to establish a trust account to pay asbestos exposure claims by injured individuals.
North American Refractories Asbestos Trust Eligibility Requirements
The NARCO asbestos trust compensates for seven “disease levels”: mesothelioma, lung cancer 1, lung cancer 2, other cancer, severe asbestosis, asbestosis/pleural disease, and other asbestos diseases. Each disease level has its own eligibility requirements for medical and exposure circumstances. Potential claimants must generally satisfy the requirements in order to access asbestos-exposure compensation from the trust.
However, claimants who do not meet the criteria for a listed disease level but have a significant asbestos-related medical condition may apply for individual review. In these cases, claimants must provide a physician’s report describing their medical condition in detail and other supporting evidence.
Medical Requirements
All diagnoses require proof of a 10-year latency period and an examination by the diagnosing physician or a board-certified pathologist. Additionally, claims must be filed within three years of the date of diagnosis. According to the Trust Distribution Procedures, the medical criteria for each disease level are as follows:
- Mesothelioma – A diagnosis of mesothelioma and evidence of exposure to a specific asbestos-containing product manufactured or distributed by NARCO.
- Lung cancer 1 – A diagnosis of primary lung cancer, evidence of an underlying bilateral asbestos-related nonmalignant disease, evidence of occupational exposure, and supporting medical documents establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor.
- Lung cancer 2 – A diagnosis of primary lung cancer, evidence of occupational exposure, and supporting medical documents establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor.
- Other cancer – A diagnosis of a primary colorectal, laryngeal, esophageal, pharyngeal, or stomach cancer, evidence of an underlying bilateral asbestos-related disease, evidence of occupational exposure, and supporting medical documents establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor.
- Severe asbestosis – A diagnosis, evidence of occupational exposure, and supporting medical documents establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor.
- Asbestosis/pleural disease – A diagnosis of a bilateral asbestos-related nonmalignant disease, evidence of occupational exposure, and supporting medical documents establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor.
- Other asbestos disease – A diagnosis of a bilateral asbestos-related nonmalignant disease, evidence of occupational exposure to NARCO products, and five years of cumulative occupational exposure to asbestos.
Before paying claimants, the NARCO Asbestos Trust administrators must be confident that the medical evidence supporting the claim credibly establishes asbestos-related harm. The NARCO Asbestos Trust also reserves the right to request medical documentation and testing, such as X-rays, pulmonary function tests, laboratory tests, tissue samples, and more.
Exposure Requirements
To access funds from the NARCO trust, claimants must submit evidence of occupational exposure to a NARCO product at a particular worksite and time. Our attorneys can help you gather all available evidence.
Asbestos Use by North American Refractories
NARCO was founded in 1929 in Ohio and expanded its asbestos product offerings through the early 1980s. However, by the time the company discontinued its asbestos use, tens of thousands of people had already been exposed to asbestos. The company settled nearly 200,000 asbestos-related cases by the early 2000s when it filed for bankruptcy.
North American Refractories Products Containing Asbestos
The majority of NARCO’s plants manufactured fireclay products, while some manufactured silica bricks or specialized products like blast furnace bricks and roof bricks. Before the 1980s, these products contained asbestos, as did NARCO products like concrete, furnace fittings, and brake pads. Other NARCO products known to have contained asbestos include:
- Aerogun
- Anti-Erode Trowel
- BOF-Cote
- BOF-Patch
- CM Gun Mix
- CM-18 Gun Mix
- MC Gun Mix
- Narcocast Trowels
- Narcogun
- Narcolite Refractory Cement
- Narmag 60 DBRC
- Narmag OH Gun Mix
- Staz-On Insulating Cement
- Super 505 Hot Gun
- Unicote
W0-339 MC Gun
Jobs at High Risk of Exposure to Asbestos in North American Refractories Products
Many types of workers assisted in producing, distributing, and installing NARCO products, from cement workers to chemical plant workers to engineers. Other occupations that may have faced a high risk of exposure to NARCO’s asbestos products include:
Don't Wait–File Your North American Refractories Asbestos Trust Claim Today
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after exposure to NARCO products, you may be eligible for compensation from the NARCO Asbestos Trust. Hiring an experienced asbestos attorney from The Gori Law Firm can ensure that you file the correct documents on time to maximize your chance of receiving a payout. Additionally, if you are represented by an attorney, the NARCO Trust will communicate directly with your attorney regarding your claim, taking the pressure off while you focus on your well-being and family.
The Gori Law Firm was formed in 2008 and has recovered more than $4 billion in case results for asbestos exposure victims throughout the U.S. With over 20 years litigating asbestos exposure claims and a century of combined legal experience, our legal team works closely with each client to provide the personalized support and resources they need. Call (618) 659-9833 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our nationally-recognized asbestos lawyers.
