Babcock and Wilcox
Stephen Wilcox and George Babcock started their company in 1867. At the time it was called Babcock, Wilcox & Company and it was created to manufacture Stephen’s patented water tube boiler. The company had great success and went on to create and install the first-ever utility boiler in 1881. In 1902, Babcock & Wilcox manufactured the boilers that powered New York City’s first subway.
Babcock & Wilcox soon found itself a niche, providing boilers for a variety of government-funded projects. In December of 1907, a fleet of 16 new American battleships embarked on a trip around the world. The 16 ships came to be known as Teddy Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” and every ship was powered by Babcock & Wilcox boilers.
Its niche continued through the decades, as Babcock & Wilcox received design patents, introduced new boilers and were awarded lucrative government contracts. As technology advanced, so did the products offered by Babcock & Wilcox. The company designed components for the first nuclear-power submarine, designed and manufactured the first “supercritical pressure” coal-fired broiler and initiated the design of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
Babcock & Wilcox is still in operation today, handling everything from environmental management to the management and operation of Los Alamos and other National Laboratories.
Babcock & Wilcox and Asbestos
Because so many Babcock & Wilcox products are intended to withstand or contain extreme heat, early designs often included asbestos. Employees that built, installed or repaired company boilers and refractory products were likely exposed to asbestos while on the job. The dangers of asbestos use did not become fully known until the late 1960s or early 1970s.
In 1973, the Environmental Protection Agency published the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and asbestos was included on the list. It was around that time that Babcock & Wilcox began phasing asbestos out of its products.
The people at risk of asbestos exposure from Babcock & Wilcox products were not limited to those who worked for the company. Babcock & Wilcox boilers and other systems were used in Navy ships, power plants and nuclear facilities, to name a few. This adds dozens of occupations to the list that could have been exposed, including:
- Boat Builders
- Boiler Insulators
- Cold Storage Insulators
- Electric Welders
- Demolition Workers
- Firemen
- Lathe Operators
- Marine Electricians
- Marine Machinists
- Millwrights
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Ship Inspectors
- Shipyard Workers
- Submarine Crews and Repairmen
These are just some of the occupations that were at risk of being exposed to asbestos either directly or by being in an environment where particles could have been released into the air.
Babcock & Wilcox and Asbestos Litigation
Babcock & Wilcox began settling asbestos-related claims in 1982. By 2000, it had settled over 340,000 claims which cost the company more than $1.5 billion. At that point, about 45,000 asbestos claims remained unsettled. Facing the prospect of mounting financial debt, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy early in 2000. Babcock & Wilcox cited not only financial strain, but also an inability to reach what it called “reasonable payouts” to claimants and their lawyers as reasons for filing bankruptcy.
In 2006, as part of the bankruptcy reorganization, a trust was formed to handle asbestos-related claims filed against Babcock & Wilcox. The trust managers developed a website containing information regarding asbestos exposure and claims related to Babcock & Wilcox. It includes a list of nearly 2,000 Babcock & Wilcox-related occupations that are at risk for asbestos exposure.
The trust allows two types of claims to be filed – expedited and individual review. With expedited review, there is a fixed payment, regardless of the claimant’s level of exposure or health condition, but the process is faster. Individual reviews take more time and payments vary. In general, expedited claims are reviewed first and individual claims must wait. Both types of claims are reviewed on an annual basis, but individual claims are more likely to be adjusted and there is a greater risk for reductions in settlement amounts. A mesothelioma lawyer will be able to recommend the best option for your case.
If you currently hold or have held a position with Babcock & Wilcox or one of its affiliates that you believe could have exposed you to asbestos, talk to your doctor. Symptoms of an asbestos-related disease can take many years to arise and early detection is very important for effective treatment.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
