E.J. Bartells Company established a $20 million asbestos trust fund after bankruptcy to compensate people diagnosed with mesothelioma from its insulation products. The trust handles claims for cements, tapes, pipe coverings and refractory materials used until the late 1970s.
Quick Facts About The E.J. Bartells Company Trust Fund and Lawsuits
Founded:
1923
Years Operated:
1923 - circa 2004
Headquarters:
Renton, Washington
Business:
Manufacturer of refractory and industrial products
Asbestos Trust:
Yes
Bankruptcy Status:
Filed in 2000 and reorganized in 2001.
What Is the E.J. Bartells Company Asbestos Trust Fund?
The E.J. Bartells Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000 after facing thousands of asbestos-related claims. The bankruptcy court confirmed a reorganization plan in 2001 that required the company to establish a $20 million asbestos trust fund to compensate people.
This asbestos trust fund was specifically designed to address asbestos liabilities arising from the company’s insulation and refractory products. As of 2008, the trust had paid approximately $15 million in asbestos-related claims. The trust continues to administer claims, though it doesn’t maintain a public website or release regular updates.
Legal Help for People Exposed to E.J. Bartells Company Asbestos Products
People diagnosed with mesothelioma after using E.J. Bartells insulation or refractory products can work with a lawyer to file claims with the E.J. Bartells Asbestos Trust. Your attorney compiles your employment history, medical records and product identification details to meet the trust’s strict submission requirements and deadlines.
Your mesothelioma lawyer will perform a detailed job history and potential exposure audit to identify any and all possible contributing companies. You may be able to file claims with other asbestos trust funds or lawsuits against non-bankrupt manufacturers.
A Patient Advocate will match you with a respected and experienced lawyer who specializes in asbestos insulation claims. Your Patient Advocate will also offer constant support, connections to mesothelioma experts, free resources and assistance with insurance and VA benefits claims.
Exposed to Asbestos at The E.J. Bartells Company?
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
The original E.J. Bartells Corporation faced many mesothelioma lawsuits because of its use of asbestos. Former employees and people who worked with these products filed claims, citing exposure that led to serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
In one prominent case, the wife of a former machinist and electrician sued multiple companies for her husband’s asbestos exposure, including The E.J. Bartells Company. A jury found the company partly responsible for his death from pleural mesothelioma and awarded the family $3 million in punitive damages, $1.5 million in non-economic damages and $307,000 in compensatory damages.
Another lawsuit involved the family of a former employee who died from asbestosis. They pursued death benefits, disability benefits and funeral cost compensation. The family reached a settlement with some of the third-party defendants and received $750 monthly payments over 20 years.
E.J. Bartells Corporation’s Connection to Asbestos
The E.J. Bartells Company used asbestos in many of its products until the late 1970s. Edwin J. Bartells founded the company in 1923 to provide a wide range of insulation and refractory products. Refractory materials are heat-resistant products used to line furnaces, pipes and other equipment exposed to high temperatures. Asbestos was added to these products because the mineral resists fire and heat.
Bartells supplied asbestos products to major industrial clients, including Boeing, Xerox, Intel, Apollo Sheet Metal and J.H. Kelly. Workers handling these products faced a high risk of asbestos exposure, which could later lead to serious illnesses like mesothelioma.
The company phased out asbestos from its products in the late 1970s. Distribution International acquired and merged with the company in 2015. TopBuild acquired Distribution International in 2021 and continues to operate the business under its ownership.
Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From the E.J. Bartells Company?
Many workers handled E.J. Bartell’s asbestos products in their jobs, which put them at risk for serious respiratory diseases and cancers. Occupational asbestos exposure could occur during installation, maintenance or repair of these materials.
Higher Risk Occupations
Construction workers
Electricians
Insulators
Pipe workers
Plumbers
Former employees of The E.J. Bartells Company should consider regular health screenings for potential asbestos-related illnesses. People may not encounter new E.J. Bartells asbestos products, but could be exposed to legacy products from the company in older buildings or equipment.
E.J. Bartells Company’s Asbestos Products
The E.J. Bartells Company manufactured a variety of asbestos-containing products that were widely used in construction and industrial settings. These products were heat-resistant and durable, which made them valuable for insulating pipes, ductwork and other equipment, but dangerous when fibers became airborne.
Asbestos Products From E.J. Bartells
Adhesives
Cement
Duct connectors
Insulation
Insulation pads and tapes
Pipe coverings
Sealants
Tapes
Workers who installed, maintained or repaired these products faced elevated risks of asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Family members and others could also be exposed through secondary contact, such as handling contaminated clothing or dust from work areas.
Recommended Reading
Address
1 S. Orange Ave., Suite 301, Orlando, FL 32801
Connect with us
Navigation
Monthly Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on treatment, research, clinical trials, doctors and survivors
The information on this website is proprietary and protected. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying or dissemination will be prosecuted. Please read our privacy policy and terms of service for more information about our website.
This website and its content may be deemed attorney advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome.
The Mesothelioma Center’s claim as the most trusted resource is based on our more than 150 5-star Google and BBB reviews. Our organization also helps more than half of all mesothelioma patients annually diagnosed.
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
Fact Checked
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Reviewed
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Asbestos.com. (2026, January 23). The E.J. Bartells Company Trust Fund and Lawsuits. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/companies/ej-bartells-co/
MLA
"The E.J. Bartells Company Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Asbestos.com, 23 Jan 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/companies/ej-bartells-co/.
Chicago
Asbestos.com. "The E.J. Bartells Company Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Last modified January 23, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/companies/ej-bartells-co/.
D. Carl Money is an attorney at Nemeroff Law. He has devoted his career to fighting for workers diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. Money has more than 25 years of experience fighting for people with asbestos-related diseases. He’s licensed in Texas, New York, England and Wales and belongs to various legal organizations across the U.S. and U.K.
Fact-checked and verified content:
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
