Leslie Controls, Inc.

Leslie Controls’ History with Asbestos

Leslie Controls has manufactured control valves for more than 100 years. To improve heat resistance, the company used asbestos in pumps, gaskets, pipe parts and steam valves. During World War I and World War II, Leslie supplied asbestos-containing control valves to U.S. Navy ships.

Asbestos fibers provided fireproofing but created serious health risks. People exposed to these products later developed illnesses such as  mesothelioma and lung cancer. Workers in Leslie manufacturing plants, service members and civilians who made or worked with Leslie asbestos products faced the risk of asbestos exposure.

Today, Leslie operates as a subsidiary of CIRCOR. The company continues to produce control valves and other equipment, but asbestos is no longer part of its manufacturing process.

Development of the Leslie Controls Asbestos Trust

Like many other asbestos companies, Leslie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010 under the weight of asbestos litigation. The majority of these mesothelioma lawsuits involved exposure on U.S. Navy ships from the 1940s through the 1980s.

As part of the bankruptcy reorganization plan, an asbestos trust fund was created. The Leslie Controls Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was created in 2011 to process, liquidate, and pay future mesothelioma lawsuits. 

The trust initially had an estimated $75 million and set its first payment percentage at 40%. As of the most recent 2023 report, the trust holds approximately $61.5 million in net assets.

In July 2025, the trust increased the payment percentage to 6.25%. People who received payments based on the prior 5% rate will get supplemental payments to match the new 6.25% rate.

Asbestos Litigation Involving Leslie Controls

Leslie Controls faced thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits from employees who manufactured asbestos valves, as well as military veterans and other workers who handled the company’s products during their jobs. Before the company filed for bankruptcy, some lawsuits resulted in compensation, while others were decided in Leslie’s favor.

Notable Mesothelioma Lawsuits

• Davis v. Leslie Controls, Inc.: John R. Davis, who worked with Leslie products during his career, developed mesothelioma. The jury awarded him $100,000 in economic damages and $25 million in non-economic damages. His wife, Anna J. Davis, received $10 million for loss of consortium. The jury assigned 7.1% of the liability to Leslie Controls.
• Merrill v. Leslie Controls, Inc.: A U.S. Navy veteran claimed he developed mesothelioma from exposure to Leslie’s asbestos gaskets and valves. He was initially awarded $1.2 million, but a district court of appeals reversed the decision 2 years later.

These cases illustrate the serious health risks linked to Leslie’s asbestos-containing products and the complex legal landscape for individuals seeking mesothelioma compensation. They show that, while some plaintiffs received substantial awards, outcomes could vary greatly depending on the case.

Leslie Controls’ Asbestos Products 

Leslie Controls manufactured several asbestos-containing products used across industrial, military and commercial settings. These materials were especially dangerous because they could release asbestos fibers during installation, maintenance or repair.

Products With Asbestos Content

• Actuators and controls
• Control valves
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Packing
• Pipes
• Regulators
• Steam water heaters

Employees who produced these asbestos products faced a significant risk of exposure. In addition, workers and veterans who installed, repaired or maintained Leslie control valves were also at significant risk.

Workers at Risk

Occupational asbestos exposure from Leslie products affected both manufacturing employees and those in various industrial or military occupations. Diseases like mesothelioma often take decades to appear after initial exposure.

Occupations With Higher Exposure to Leslie Valves

• Boiler operators
• Chemical plant workers
• Factory workers
• HVAC technicians
• Industrial workers
• Insulators
• Machinists
• Marines
• Oil and gas refinery workers
• Plumbers
• Power plant employees
• Shipyard workers
• Water treatment plant workers

For veterans, asbestos exposure was especially dangerous aboard Navy ships. Poor ventilation and tight quarters meant that anyone on board could inhale fibers. Veterans working in engine rooms, boiler rooms or pump rooms often handled Leslie valves directly, increasing their risk.

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