The Flintkote Company
The Flintkote Company was established in 1901 and is best known for manufacturing roofing materials. Although the company later added other product lines, such as consumer goods, roofing remains its core industry.
Flintkote expanded into Europe in the 1920s and products containing asbestos were introduced around 1930. In 1956, Flintkote began acquiring companies that produced gypsum, pipes, paper products and new types of asbestos cement. By 1963, the company maintained 126 manufacturing plants in the United States and 21 international plants.
Flintkote Company and Asbestos
Flintkote's flagship product was asbestos roofing shingles. Asbestos was used in many products that needed to be durable, inexpensive and heat-resistant. Although durable, products with asbestos are potentially dangerous if they are damaged or disturbed. If asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled by anyone nearby, potentially causing mesothelioma later in life.
Roofing shingles are generally made with mineral fiber and cement, known as transite. Transite is only regulated in a powder form - after it is transformed during demolition or renovation. If the material cannot be worked with safely, it might not meet regulations.
Health organizations began alerting governments and residents about the harmful properties of asbestos as early as 1940. Many companies ignored the warnings and continued using asbestos in products - exposing workers in the process. Companies did not stop using asbestos until the 1970s when the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency declared it a hazardous, cancerous material and instituted regulations.
Manufacturers are required to provide a materials safety data sheet (MSDS) that lists any carcinogenic potential in the workplace. Despite current regulations, Flintkote asbestos material could still be present in some older buildings that have not undergone renovations.
Flintkote Company and Asbestos Litigation
Flintkote began dealing with asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits in the early 1970s. Flintkote's insurance generally disbursed resulting settlements and awards until 2001, when certain insurers began withholding or delaying payments. This, combined with an increasing number of asbestos and mesothelioma claims, forced the company deep into debt. Asbestos-related claims came from employees and workers in various occupations who were exposed to asbestos-containing Flintkote products during their employment. Construction workers, roofers, insulators, plumbers and pipefitters are just a few of the occupations in which Flintkote products were potentially used.
Flintkote sold its construction, stone and cement manufacturing plants in 1987 to secure more money to pay asbestos-related claims. Because of the number of asbestos-related lawsuits against Flintkote and partner company Flintkote Mines, the companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004. In its filing, Flintkote listed $160 million in assets and $70 million in asbestos legal liabilities. The company had already paid $630 million for more than 350,000 lawsuits and 155,000 cases were pending.
Flintkote and Flintkote Mines eventually established a trust to handle ongoing and future asbestos-related claims. Using pre-established guidelines, trust representatives determine the severity of each claim and the award total.
Looking for More Information?
If you or someone you know worked in an industry where Flintkote products were used, regular checkups are important to diagnosing an asbestos-related disease at an early stage. Mesothelioma symptoms can take as long as 50 years to develop so annual screenings are recommended. For information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, contact one of our Patient Advocates at (800) 615-2270 or complete the form on this page to receive our free informational packet.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 23rd, 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.
