Quick Facts About Leslie Controls, Inc. Trust Fund and Lawsuits
  • wavy circle icon with check mark inside
    Founded:
    1900
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    Years Operated:
    1900 - present
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    Headquarters:
    Tampa, Florida
  • businessman icon standing next to a globe
    Business:
    High pressure valves
  • icon of a building with a dollar sign on it
    Asbestos Trust:
    Yes
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    Bankruptcy Status:
    Filed July 12, 2010. Reorganization confirmed Jan. 10, 2011

What Is the Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Trust Fund?

The Leslie Controls Asbestos Personal Injury Trust is an asbestos trust fund established during bankruptcy proceedings to ensure those with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma from the company’s products can be compensated. It was started in 2011 to process, liquidate and pay future claims, and currently, the payment percentage for the trust is 6.25%

Leslie Controls Asbestos Trust Scheduled Values
Disease Level Powerhouse and Below-Deck Naval Station Claims Construction and Maintenance Claims
Mesothelioma (Level VII) $100,000 $25,000
Lung Cancer 1 (Level VI) $25,000 $7,500
Other Cancer (Level IV) $15,000 $5,000

Facing asbestos litigation costs, Leslie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010. The majority of these mesothelioma lawsuits involved asbestos exposure that happened while serving on U.S. Navy ships from the 1940s through the 1980s.​ Like Leslie, many asbestos manufacturers created an asbestos trust fund during bankruptcy to provide compensation for future claims.

Legal Help for People Exposed to Leslie Controls Asbestos Products

Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to Leslie Controls’ asbestos valves benefit from experienced lawyers. Your asbestos lawyer will pull together your work records, medical reports and exposure details, then file your claim with the Leslie Controls Asbestos Trust correctly and before its deadline.

Your mesothelioma attorney will dig into your complete job history to uncover every firm that supplied asbestos or asbestos products involved in your exposure. They can help you file claims with trust funds from other asbestos companies. And for those companies that haven’t declared bankruptcy, they can also help you explore filing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Our Patient Advocates connect you quickly and privately with asbestos lawyers who specialize in Leslie Controls trust fund claims and have successfully managed lawsuits against other companies. Your Patient Advocate will also deliver round-the-clock guidance on specialist doctor referrals, patient support networks, VA benefits and insurance coverage.

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. Before the company filed for bankruptcy, some lawsuits proceeded to trial and others were settled out of court.

Davis v. Leslie Controls, Inc. is a notable example. 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 noneconomic damages. His wife, Anna J. Davis, received $10 million for loss of consortium. The jury assigned 7.1% of the liability to Leslie Controls.

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

Leslie Controls’ History With Asbestos

Leslie Controls used asbestos in control valves for decades to boost heat resistance in pumps, gaskets, pipe parts and steam valves. The company supplied these asbestos-containing control valves to U.S. Navy ships during World War I and World War II.

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.

Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From Leslie Controls?

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.

Higher Risk Jobs

  • 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.

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.

Leslie Controls’ Products With Asbestos 

  • 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 considerable risk.

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