Congoleum Corporation, once the largest linoleum producer in the world, manufactured flooring products that contained asbestos from 1947 to 1983. Exposure to these products can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. If you or a loved one was exposed to a Congoleum asbestos product and have been diagnosed with a related illness, you may be eligible for compensation from the Congoleum Plan Trust. Contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP to learn more during a free case consultation.
Illnesses Connected to Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a group of minerals that were mined and used in manufacturing throughout most of the 1900s until they became federally regulated in the 1980s by the Environmental Protection Agency. Asbestos was added to many products because of its natural resistance to heat and chemicals, as well as its durability. In 1987, all six types of asbestos were confirmed as carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Asbestos is the main cause of malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer. The average life expectancy for a patient with mesothelioma is an average of 12 to 21 months with treatment, according to the National Library of Medicine. Other illnesses associated with exposure to asbestos include lung cancer, asbestosis (a chronic lung disease) and pleural diseases.
According to the National Cancer Institute, a single asbestos exposure incident can result in mesothelioma or other adverse health effects. Overall evidence suggests there is no such thing as a “safe” level of asbestos exposure. However, the risk of mesothelioma increases with substantial environmental contact. This means the people most at risk are exposed to asbestos often, such as workers facing daily occupational exposure.
Asbestos Products Manufactured by Congoleum Corporation
Congoleum Corporation was founded in Scotland in the early 1800s under the name Nairn Linoleum Co., a floor cloth manufacturer. It began manufacturing vinyl flooring, asphalt tile and sheet flooring when it moved to the United States. In 1947, Congoleum added asbestos to its products for durability – especially flooring products, as they needed to withstand foot traffic. This decision put their employees and consumers at risk.
Asbestos products manufactured by Congoleum include:
- Asbestos felt
- Asphalt tile
- CongoWall
- Cushioflor
- Fashionflor
- Floor cloth
- Flor-Ever Vinyl
- Gold Seal Narion
- Inlaid linoleum flooring
- Ranchtile
- Sheet flooring
- Ultraflo
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Vinylbest
- Wood grain products
Congoleum added asbestos to its products and building materials as a cost-effective way to improve resistance despite known health risks. Unfortunately, this exposed thousands of victims to asbestos. Although Congoleum ceased the use of asbestos in its flooring products in about 1983, it was too late for many victims who had already been exposed to this toxic substance.
The Most At-Risk Individuals From Congoleum Asbestos Products
Anyone who worked for Congoleum Corporation could be at risk of asbestos exposure, including workers in facilities where asbestos floor tiles were manufactured. The cutting and sanding of flooring products in these facilities could release asbestos dust into the air, putting anyone in the vicinity at risk of exposure and developing related diseases.
Workers and laborers who were responsible for installing, removing or repairing Congoleum floors in residential or commercial buildings were also at risk. This can include construction workers, demolition workers, contractors and tilers. In addition, consumers who worked, lived or went to school in places where Congoleum floor tiles were used could be exposed to asbestos due to the wear and tear or breakdown of the floors over time. This can release asbestos fibers into the atmosphere and injure consumers.
Finally, any loved ones of Congoleum employees may have suffered secondary exposure to asbestos. This is contact with asbestos fibers and particles brought home on the worker. Many Congoleum employees did not have the opportunity to change their clothes or wash before coming home with asbestos dust on them. This has resulted in many lawsuits being brought by family members of workers for secondary asbestos exposure.
What Is the Congoleum Plan Trust?
In 1981, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection named Congoleum as one of the six primary manufacturers of asbestos products. Soon after this announcement, Congoleum Corporation faced thousands of lawsuits from employees and consumers for harmful asbestos exposure. Many victims developed mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. In 2003, Congoleum filed for bankruptcy due to financial losses from asbestos litigation.
The Congoleum Plan Trust was developed as part of the company’s bankruptcy restructuring in 2010. This asbestos trust fund was initially given $270 million in assets to compensate victims with asbestos-related injuries due to Congoleum products. It currently has a payment percentage of 12.5 percent, meaning approved claims will be paid at 12.5 percent of their assigned values. Payment percentages are used by asbestos trust funds to preserve funds for future victims.
How to File a Claim With the Congoleum Plan Trust
If an individual has documentation proving an asbestos-related diagnosis and exposure to one or more Congoleum asbestos products, he or she may be eligible for a portion of funds from the Congoleum Plan Trust. If you wish to file a claim with this trust, start by contacting an attorney who has experience handling asbestos and mesothelioma cases. The lawyers at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you understand your rights and file a claim with the Congoleum Trust.
Filing a claim requires filling out and submitting the Claim Form, along with supplying supporting documentation and evidence. The trust offers an expedited review and an individual review. The process that is right for you will depend on the circumstances. Your asbestos attorney can help you choose and file the required paperwork. This may include medical documentation of your diagnosis, proof of exposure to Congoleum product(s) and a death certificate if you are filing on behalf of a deceased loved one.
Contact Us for a Free Case Consultation
It is important to protect your rights by hiring a mesothelioma attorney during this difficult time. Filing an asbestos trust fund claim or a personal injury lawsuit can come with many challenges. A lawyer will have the resources, knowledge and experience to help you file a valid claim and seek the financial compensation that you deserve for a life-changing illness. Contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP for a free case consultation. Schedule a case review with an asbestos attorney today by calling (866) 871-7971.
