The E.J. Bartells Company manufactured and distributed insulation and refractory products that contained asbestos from 1923 until the 1970s. Asbestos is a toxic mineral that can cause serious and deadly illnesses in people who are exposed to it – including an aggressive type of cancer called mesothelioma.
At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our attorneys represent victims of asbestos exposure during trust fund claims and personal injury lawsuits. We can help you seek financial compensation from the E.J. Bartells Asbestos Settlement Trust.
Health Risks Posed by Products That Contain Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of six minerals that have all been confirmed as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Exposure to asbestos can lead to microscopic fibers getting stuck in the lungs and other organs for many decades. During this time, the fibers can rub and irritate the surrounding tissues enough to cause inflammation and a buildup of scar tissue.
In some cases, asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma (cancer of the protective layer of tissue that surrounds the organs), lung cancer, a chronic lung disease called asbestosis or pleural conditions. Breathing in or ingesting asbestos particles just once could be enough to result in mesothelioma, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, prolonged or frequent exposure to asbestos enhances an individual’s risk of developing related illnesses.
The E.J. Bartells Company’s History of Asbestos Use
Many top product manufacturers in the 1900s used asbestos in their products despite known health risks – including the E.J. Bartells Company, which was founded in 1923 and focused on insulation and refractory products and services. Asbestos was added to a variety of consumer products due to its low cost, availability, durability, and natural ability to resist heat and chemical corrosion.
E.J. Bartells manufactured most – if not all – of its products using asbestos, which included:
- Adhesives and tapes
- Air handling units
- Cement
- Duct connectors
- Expansion joints
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment
- Insulation pads
- Mechanical insulation
- Pipe coverings
- Refractory insulation
- Sealants
Although E.J. Bartells stopped using asbestos in its products in the 1970s, this was too late for thousands of employees and consumers who had already been exposed. This includes anyone who worked for E.J. Bartells at its manufacturing plants or utilized asbestos products manufactured by them, such as machinists, electricians, HVAC technicians, construction workers, pipe workers, plumbers and insulators.
What Is the E.J. Bartells Asbestos Settlement Trust?
When products that contain asbestos are cut, broken, sanded, disturbed or worn down over time, they can release asbestos particles or dust into the air. This puts anyone in the vicinity at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. If victims develop mesothelioma or other illnesses that are related to asbestos exposure in the years after coming into contact with an E.J. Bartells asbestos product, they may qualify for compensation from the E.J. Bartells Asbestos Settlement Trust.
An asbestos trust fund is a source of compensation that is reserved for asbestos exposure victims as part of a company’s bankruptcy restructuring. These trusts allow companies to pay asbestos victims and remain in business. Anyone who suffered due to the toxicity of asbestos present in a product manufactured by E.J. Bartells may be eligible for compensation from the company’s trust, which was established in 2001.
The E.J. Bartells Asbestos Settlement Trust was an outcome of the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000 due to financial losses from asbestos litigation. It was initially funded with $20 million in assets to pay asbestos victims. Today, funds are still available and the trust remains active for claimants. To be eligible for a portion of the fund, a claimant must have supporting documentation proving an asbestos-related illness diagnosis and exposure to E.J. Bartells asbestos product(s).
Steps for Filing a Claim With the E.J. Bartells Trust
If you believe you are a qualified claimant for the E.J. Bartells Trust, consult with a mesothelioma attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP to begin the legal process. We understand how asbestos trust fund claims work and can help you obtain, fill out and submit the required forms to initiate your case. Hiring a lawyer can help you avoid making mistakes on claims paperwork that can interfere with your ability to receive a payout.
Our attorneys can help you collect the required supporting documentation, as well, which generally includes medical records proving your asbestos-related diagnosis and evidence of exposure to an asbestos product manufactured by E.J. Bartells. You may also need a letter from your physician stating that at least 10 years have passed between your date of diagnosis and the date of exposure to asbestos from E.J. Bartells. Our team of asbestos attorneys can guide you through each step of the legal process to improve your odds of success.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
The statute of limitations, or legal deadline for filing, an asbestos trust fund claim is generally the statute of limitations in the jurisdiction where the claimant is filing. Every state has unique statutes of limitations on asbestos claims. In most cases, the clock on the statute of limitations does not start ticking until the claimant’s date of diagnosis. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you meet your filing deadline.
How Much Is an Asbestos Trust Fund Claim Worth?
A successful asbestos trust fund claim can provide financial compensation that helps a victim and victim’s family pay for related medical expenses, mesothelioma treatments, palliative or end-of-life care, lost wages, and more. The potential value of an asbestos trust fund claim depends on many factors that are unique to the case.
Determining factors often include the claimant’s type of diagnosis, illness severity, age and overall health, occupation, industry of exposure, and the scheduled values used by the trust (if any). An attorney can help you fight for maximum mesothelioma compensation, even if this means filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
Being diagnosed with a life-changing illness such as mesothelioma or lung cancer is an extremely difficult ordeal. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our attorneys are here to help victims understand and protect their legal rights. While we know that nothing can make up for such a severe diagnosis, we hope to help our clients move forward with less financial stress and greater peace of mind using high-quality legal services.
Find out if you are eligible to file an E.J. Bartells Asbestos Settlement Trust claim during a free case consultation with one of our attorneys. Contact us online anytime or call (866) 871-7971 to schedule a free case evaluation.
