H.K. Porter Inc. used asbestos to fireproof and insulate its railroad locomotives throughout much of the 20th century. Mounting lawsuits against H.K. Porter forced the company to file for bankruptcy and establish an asbestos trust fund to pay existing and future claims.
Manufactured railroad locomotives and industrial parts
Asbestos Trust:
Yes
Bankruptcy Status:
Filed in 1991 and reorganized in 1998
H.K. Porter’s Asbestos Connection
H.K. Porter Inc., founded in Pittsburgh in 1866, became closely tied to asbestos through its locomotive production. The company grew into the largest U.S. manufacturer of industrial locomotives during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and many of its machines included asbestos parts to handle high heat. Workers who came into contact with those parts faced serious risks of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
H.K. Porter also led the fireless locomotive market. These locomotives stored steam and hot water in a pressure vessel instead of using a boiler. They, along with other Porter models, relied on asbestos in brakes, gaskets and insulation to manage extreme heat.
People who operated, repaired or maintained Porter locomotives were exposed to asbestos. Railroad workers, engineers and insulators carried the greatest risks, since inhaled fibers can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer decades after first contact.
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H.K. Porter manufactured products containing asbestos, leading to numerous asbestos lawsuits from individuals who later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. In the early 1980s, the company was facing more than 100,000 claims.
H.K. Porter Asbestos Claims
More than 100,000 lawsuits filed: H.K. Porter paid more than $200 million before declaring bankruptcy in 1991.
Trust created as part of bankruptcy: The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust was established through the Chapter 11 reorganization in 1998 to handle both current and future asbestos claims. It has paid more than $300 million since.
Payment percentage set at 3%: The trust currently pays about 3% of the value of approved claims, meaning claimants receive a small portion of the full settlement amount to ensure there is enough money available for future claimants.
The trust reduced its payment percentage from 4% to 3% in 2014 to ensure funds would be available for future claimants. In December 2024, the trust received court approval to maintain this 3% rate.
The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust continues to follow structured procedures for reviewing and paying claims. In 2025, the trust resumed making new offers after confirming the trustee’s authority to amend procedures. Law firms can file claims electronically to speed processing and reduce paperwork. The trust updates rules and procedures over time to manage funds fairly for both current and future claimants.
H.K. Porter used asbestos extensively to insulate and fireproof materials in their locomotive engines and boilers. Even after the company stopped building new locomotives in 1950, asbestos exposure risks persisted because H.K. Porter continued manufacturing and selling various asbestos-containing products. The company also acquired several companies that manufactured and sold asbestos-containing products.
Key H.K. Porter Products With Asbestos
Brakes and brake pads
Fireproof cloth
Gaskets
Insulation and packing materials
Pipes and steam valves
Many of these products were sold to shipyards and related industries across the country, extending the risk of asbestos exposure. The use of asbestos by H.K. Porter’s use of asbestos continued despite early knowledge of its dangers.
H.K. Porter Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
People who worked in production for this asbestos manufacturer were at risk of exposure. And workers in a variety of fields who came into contact with H.K. Porter’s asbestos products were also at risk.
Workers With Higher Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Engineers
Factory workers
Insulators
Metal workers
Railroad workers
These jobs required close contact with asbestos-containing parts. The parts used were in the manufacturing and maintenance of locomotives and industrial equipment.
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