Western MacArthur
Western MacArthur Company is a Minnesota-based manufacturer of insulations, HVAC products and roofing products. The company was formed by a 1967 merger between MacArthur Company and Western Asbestos, a manufacturer of asbestos pipe insulation. Western MacArthur, which continued to focus on insulation, eventually moved into wholesale distribution with a specialty in construction products. The still-active company now has 12 branches nationwide.
Western MacArthur and Asbestos
Western MacArthur used asbestos in its products until the 1970s, when the government began regulating its use. Before that time, its main asbestos product was wall and pipe insulation. Asbestos, which is naturally resistant to heat and flame, was used by numerous companies to insulate construction materials at low cost. Western MacArthur insulation was widely used in the construction of buildings, some of which may still contain it.
The company’s use of asbestos has undoubtedly exposed thousands of its employees to the deadly substance. In fact, asbestos exposure is known to have occurred at more than 1,000 Western MacArthur locations and job sites. Construction workers who have installed or uninstalled Western MacArthur products are also at risk since they came into direct contact with asbestos particles. People who lived near Western MacArthur factories and worked in buildings insulated by its products are also among those who may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
The effects of asbestos exposure can take up to 50 years to develop. Accordingly, although the company has not used asbestos in decades, exposure to Western MacArthur products may just begin to have noticeable health effects. These ongoing consequences will continue to affect thousands of individuals each year.
Western MacArthur and Asbestos Litigation
As a result of its asbestos use, Western MacArthur has been the defendant in countless personal injury claims. One such claim was brought by Janice C. Hughes, the widow of an asbestos worker. The husband of Hughes worked for Western Asbestos Company from 1944 to 1967. He was diagnosed in 1977 with both asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma and died the following year. In late 1978, Hughes filed a wrongful death suit against several asbestos manufacturers, including Western Asbestos Company and the successive Western MacArthur Company. Hughes lost the judgment and readily appealed it. The appeal led to the judgment being overturned in 1987, and Western MacArthur was held responsible for the husband’s illness and death.
The millions of dollars in various rulings forced the company into bankruptcy in 2002. Its 2004 restructuring created the Western Asbestos Settlement Trust. The still-active trust fund was designed to settle all ongoing and future asbestos-related claims against the company. In its first five years, the trust paid $1.1 billion in claims. The company’s restructuring also led to settlements with its insurance providers. In rulings against United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (USF&G) and Hartford Insurance Company, the insurers were held accountable for billions of dollars in insurance coverage. These settlements provided a large portion of the fund’s assets.
If you or anyone you know has been exposed to asbestos products made by Western MacArthur, you should seek regular medical exams to monitor signs of asbestos-related disease. Informing your physician about your possible exposure to the often deadly asbestos fibers can help them decide on a plan of action. Diagnosing asbestosis and mesothelioma early may help in the treatment process. Check the Mesothelioma Doctor Directory to find a specialist. If you’ve already been diagnosed, a Patient Advocate can help you decide what course of action is best for you. Call (800) 615-2270 to speak with a Patient Advocate, or complete the form on this page for more information.
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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.
