Armstrong World Industries (AWI) was one of the nation’s top manufacturers of asbestos-containing products before this toxic mineral became regulated by the federal government. Today, people who were impacted by exposure to asbestos from AWI products and construction materials may qualify for financial compensation through the company’s asbestos trust fund. To find out if you are eligible or to request legal assistance for your trust fund claim, contact the attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP. We can help you navigate the legal process.
Health Risks Associated With Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that can cause serious health problems, including an incurable and aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma. It does this by becoming lodged in the body and causing inflammation, irritation and a buildup of scar tissue over time.
The average latency period for mesothelioma, meaning the amount of time between the date of asbestos exposure and the development of cancer, is 20-60+ years. This means many people who were exposed to asbestos through Armstrong World Industries’ products do not discover their illnesses until many years later.
What Asbestos Products Did Armstrong World Industries Make?
Armstrong World Industries was founded in 1860. It began as a supplier of wine bottle corks but expanded its enterprise into other products and industries. AWI eventually became known for its asbestos-containing construction materials. Asbestos was a common additive in construction and building products due to its natural ability to resist heat and corrosion.
AWI relied on asbestos to create products such as:
- Acoustic insulation
- Adhesives
- Asbestos felt
- Asbestos paper
- Ceiling tiles
- Flooring felt
- Gasketing material
- Insulation materials
- Plasters
- Shipbuilding materials
- Spray-on insulation
- Vinyl and linoleum floor tiles
Two of Armstrong World Industries’ spray-on insulation products, Limpet and Armaspray, were made entirely out of asbestos. These products were discontinued early during the regulation of asbestos by the Environmental Protection Agency. By 1987, AWI was required to discontinue the use of asbestos in all of its products. Unfortunately, these regulations came too late for thousands of victims who had already been exposed to asbestos by the company’s products.
Who Is Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From Armstrong World Industries?
Studies show that the people who are most at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease are those with high levels of asbestos exposure, although no amount of asbestos is deemed “safe” by researchers. High-risk individuals include people who are near or around asbestos in their regular environments, such as at a job that deals with asbestos or in a home that contains asbestos materials.
Those who are most at risk of asbestos-related illnesses include:
- Building contractors
- Carpenters
- Cement masons
- Construction workers
- Electricians and HVAC technicians
- First responders, including firefighters
- Insulation installers
- Manufacturing facility and plant workers
- Military members
- Plumbers
- Repair and renovation workers
Armstrong World Industries may no longer produce asbestos-containing materials, but victims today are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other life-altering illnesses due to contact with their products from years ago. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with an illness connected to asbestos exposure and believe this company is to blame, find out if you are eligible to file a claim with the Armstrong World Industries Trust.
What Is the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust?
AWI faced lawsuits from thousands of workers and consumers who were injured due to exposure to asbestos from their products. As a result, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000. In 2007, as part of its bankruptcy proceedings, the company created the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust. Like other asbestos trust funds, it contains money that is protected and given only to victims with injuries from asbestos exposure.
When it was created, the AWI Trust Fund was supplied with $2.1 billion for asbestos victims. After paying out around 600,000 claims, the trust currently contains approximately $2 million still available to victims of asbestos exposure. Qualifying individuals can file one of two types of claims according to AWI’s Trust Distribution Procedures: an expedited review or individual review. An expedited review is faster than a more detailed individual review but may result in less financial compensation.
An attorney can help you determine which type of trust fund claim to file based on your particular circumstances. Then, your lawyer can collect and submit all of the required evidence and paperwork to file an asbestos trust fund claim, including exposure documentation and your medical records. Your lawyer can help you pursue maximum financial compensation through all available legal outlets, including a potential mesothelioma lawsuit.
Other Legal Options for Victims of Asbestos Exposure
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a civil claim that could potentially be brought against a company that manufactured or distributed products that contained asbestos. It seeks compensation on the grounds that the defendant was negligent, or failed to use a reasonable amount of care. For example, a lawsuit against Armstrong World Industries may attempt to prove that the company knew or reasonably should have known of the health risks associated with the use of asbestos in its products, yet continued to use this toxic mineral without warning workers or consumers.
Some mesothelioma lawsuits can be based on strict product liability laws or a breach of warranty. These are types of defective product claims often filed by injured consumers. A mesothelioma lawsuit may have the power to compensate you and your family more fully than an AWI Trust Fund claim alone. An asbestos attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can review your specific circumstances and legal options to help you maximize your financial recovery for a life-changing asbestos-related illness.
Seek Legal Assistance From an Attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP
Navigating an Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust Fund claim can be difficult on your own. The attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP have years of experience with asbestos and mesothelioma cases, including many trust fund claims. We have collected over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We can assist you and your family through every phase of the legal process as someone who has been injured by AWI. We accept clients across the nation.
For more information about an Armstrong World Industries Trust Fund claim, call (866) 871-7971 or send us an online message with a brief description of your case. Our attorneys will get back to you as soon as possible.
