What Is the Flexitallic Asbestos Trust Fund?
By 2001, Flexitallic faced approximately 158,000 asbestos lawsuits linked to their asbestos-containing spiral-wound gaskets. After acquiring Turner & Newall (T&N) in 1998, Federal-Mogul assumed liability for Flexitallic and other T&N subsidiaries.
As asbestos litigation continued to grow, Federal-Mogul filed for bankruptcy and established asbestos trust funds to compensate people harmed by Flexitallic and other companies under their ownership.
About the Flexitallic Asbestos Trust
- Today, asbestos claims involving Flexitallic are handled through the Turner & Newall (T&N) Subfund rather than the court system.
- Refinery and plant workers, pipefitters, mechanics, and U.S. Navy veterans are among those most likely to have been exposed to Flexitallic's asbestos-containing gaskets.
- In one case, a Texas jury awarded $35.2 Million to 22 former Texaco refinery workers who developed asbestosis after working with Flexitallic gaskets from the 1940s through the 1970s.
- The Flexitallic asbestos trust was initially funded with $635 Million, and you may qualify for a portion of that money to help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more if you have mesothelioma.
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another qualifying asbestos-related disease after being exposed to Flexitallic products, you may be eligible for compensation. Family members may also be able to pursue a payout.
At Sokolove Law, many clients begin receiving asbestos compensation in as few as 90 days after contacting us. We'll guide you through every step of the claims process and work to maximize your potential payouts.
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.5 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.
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Flexitallic Gaskets & Asbestos Exposure
Founded in Camden, New Jersey, Flexitallic Gasket Company began making the spiral wound industrial gasket in 1912, a design that ultimately included asbestos as a component.
Workers were allegedly exposed to asbestos fibers when they or their coworkers removed old Flexitallic gaskets from pipe flanges. Exposure was linked to removing the gasket itself or scraping the flange with a wire brush to remove bits of the old gasket prior to installing a new one.
Flexitallic asbestos products included:
- Spiral wound industrial gaskets, made by winding alternating strips of metal and asbestos paper tape into an inner ring set inside an outer metal ring
- Jacketed gaskets, using a heat-resistant filler material with an asbestos component partially or fully encapsulated in metal
- Non-metallic gaskets, pre-cut from a rubberized sheet of asbestos material
- Asbestos paper tape composed of 90% chrysotile asbestos
Asbestos was used as filler because of its resistance to alkaline solutions and gases and its very high melting point, which let Flexitallic's gaskets hold a seal under extreme vacuum, pressure, and temperature conditions.
However, when these gaskets were installed, serviced, or removed, microscopic fibers may have become airborne and inhaled. Asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases like mesothelioma 20-50 years later.
By filing a Flexitallic asbestos claim, families can hold the company accountable and seek compensation to make the road ahead easier.
History of Flexitallic Asbestos Lawsuits & Liability
Flexitallic's growth accelerated during the 1940s after the U.S. Navy installed the spiral-wound gaskets on 6 battleships. The gaskets helped reduce steam leaks and improve performance, leading to wider adoption on commercial ships and eventually in other industrial facilities worldwide.
The confined spaces aboard U.S. Navy ships allowed asbestos fibers to remain airborne for hours, increasing the risk of exposure not only for workers handling asbestos products but also for sailors and others nearby.
Flexitallic asbestos gaskets could be found on naval vessels, including:
- USS Beatty (DD-756)
- USS Charles S. Sperry (DD-697)
- USS English (DD-696)
- USS Henley (DD-762)
- USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709)
- USS Maddox (DD-731)
- USS Meredith (DD-726)
- USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747)
The first asbestos lawsuit against Flexitallic was filed in 1976, and the number of claims grew to 158,000 as more workers became sick. Litigation led to the creation of the $635 Million Flexitallic asbestos trust, which now pays those harmed by the company's products.
$35 Million Flexitallic Asbestos Lawsuit Verdict to 22 Texaco Workers
A Texas jury awarded $35.2 Million to 22 former Texaco refinery workers who developed asbestosis after decades of occupational asbestos exposure from the 1940s through the 1970s. Each worker received about $1.6 Million.
The asbestosis lawsuit alleged the workers inhaled asbestos fibers while performing routine maintenance with asbestos-containing products, including Flexitallic metal gaskets and a drywall compound manufactured by U.S. Gypsum.
During the trial, workers described removing and replacing asbestos-containing gaskets throughout the refinery. One pipefitter testified that he replaced an estimated 135,000 Flexitallic gaskets over the course of his career, which often involved scraping away old gasket material and releasing asbestos dust into the air.
$1.2 Million Flexitallic Asbestos Lawsuit Verdict for U.S. Navy Veteran's Wife
A Louisiana jury awarded $1.2 Million to the widow of a former U.S. Navy serviceman who died from mesothelioma after years of exposure to asbestos-containing products.
In Nunez v. Owens Corning Corp., the jury concluded that asbestos-containing Flexitallic gaskets were among the products that contributed to the man's illness, finding the company liable for his exposure during his military service.
The case highlights the risks faced by U.S. Navy veterans who routinely worked around asbestos-containing gaskets, valves, pumps, insulation, and other equipment aboard ships.
Who Can File a Flexitallic Gasket Company Asbestos Trust Claim?
Flexitallic Gasket Company asbestos trust handles eligible claims involving Flexitallic and other former Federal-Mogul subsidiaries.
Flexitallic claims are generally reviewed through the trust’s T&N Subfund under procedures that determine whether a claimant meets the medical and exposure requirements for compensation.
You may be eligible to file a Flexitallic asbestos trust claim if:
- You were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another qualifying asbestos-related disease after working with or around Flexitallic gaskets
- Your spouse or family member developed or died from an asbestos-related illness linked to Flexitallic products
- You are authorized to file on behalf of a deceased victim’s estate
Exposure may have occurred while installing, removing, or replacing Flexitallic gaskets in industrial settings. Workers did not always have to handle the gaskets directly, since asbestos fibers released during maintenance could expose nearby crew members.
At Sokolove Law, our asbestos attorneys offer free case reviews to determine whether you may qualify for compensation from the Flexitallic asbestos trust and additional sources. The average mesothelioma case is worth over $1 Million total.
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.5 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.
Contact Us Now
John & Dee Sokolove Law ClientsOccupations Linked to Flexitallic Asbestos Exposure
Throughout much of the 20th century, Flexitallic's asbestos-containing spiral wound gaskets could be found sealing pipes and machinery in refineries, power plants, chemical plants, paper mills, and aboard U.S. Navy ships across the country.
While anyone who came in contact with these gaskets could have been harmed, some workers faced increased risk, especially those who installed, serviced, or removed them.
High-risk jobs included:
- Boilermakers
- Boiler tenders
- Construction workers
- Mechanics
- Pipefitters
- Plant maintenance workers
- Power plant workers
- Refinery workers
- Shipyard workers
- Shipwrights
- Welders
- U.S. Navy veterans
Flexitallic asbestos job sites span major U.S. Navy shipyards, including Puget Sound, Mare Island, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Portsmouth, Boston, Charleston, and Brooklyn Naval Shipyards. Additionally, dozens of individual U.S. Navy vessels, oil refineries, and power stations used Flexitallic gaskets.
Workers may have also unknowingly carried asbestos dust home on their clothes or tools, leading to secondhand exposure when loved ones hugged them or did the laundry.
How to File a Flexitallic Asbestos Trust Claim
If you developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after working with Flexitallic products, you may be eligible to file a claim through the company's asbestos trust.
Although the trust has specific filing requirements, the experienced asbestos attorneys at Sokolove Law can handle the entire process for you, allowing you to focus on your treatments and spend time with loved ones.
When you work with our team, we can help:
- Document your Flexitallic exposure: We'll gather medical records, employment history, military service records, and other evidence showing how you were exposed to asbestos-containing Flexitallic gaskets or related products.
- Prepare and file your Flexitallic asbestos claim: Your attorneys will complete and submit your claim to the proper trust or subfund, along with claims to any other asbestos trusts you may qualify for.
- Determine the best review option: Depending on your circumstances, your claim may qualify for either an Expedited Review or Individual Review. We'll recommend the approach that best fits your case.
- Recover compensation: If your claim is approved, the trust will issue payment based on your diagnosis, exposure history, and the trust's payment procedures and current payment percentage.
Many mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos from multiple asbestos-related companies over the course of their careers. We'll investigate your work history to determine whether you may also qualify for compensation from other trust funds or legal claims.
"Getting those checks meant our kids will be taken care of. They've given my husband peace of mind knowing there's money there for his family. That was really important to both of us.”
– Dee, Wife of a Mesothelioma Patient & Firm Client
There is a limited amount of time to file a Flexitallic asbestos trust claim. Known as the statute of limitations, this deadline typically starts on the date of an asbestos-related diagnosis or the date of death for a qualifying wrongful death claim.
Federal-Mogul Flexitallic Asbestos Trust Payouts
If your asbestos exposure involved Flexitallic gaskets, your claim is typically paid through the T&N Subfund of the Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust. The amount you may receive will depend on your diagnosis and other factors.
Federal-Mogul Flexitallic asbestos trust payouts for T&N subfund claims may include:
| Disease | Scheduled Value | Average Value | Maximum Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $200,000 | $250,000 | $600,000 |
| Lung Cancer | Up to $42,500 | $12,000 to $60,000 | $40,000 to 125,000 |
| Other Cancers | $14,750 | $19,500 | $90,000 |
| Severe Asbestosis | $42,500 | $54,500 | $125,000 |
Like most asbestos bankruptcy trusts, the Federal-Mogul Trust pays only a percentage of each claim's value so that funds remain available for future victims. The current Flexitallic asbestos trust payment percentage is 2.9%, although this percentage may change over time.
When trust compensation is combined with lawsuit recoveries, many families recover more than $1 Million on average in total compensation. Your asbestos attorneys can identify every available source of financial support to help maximize the compensation you receive.
“Today, billions of dollars are potentially available across dozens of trusts. Our asbestos attorneys can determine if you’re eligible for trust fund compensation and file claims on your behalf while also pursuing money from lawsuits if you’re eligible."
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney of Sokolove Law
Seek a Payout for Flexitallic Asbestos Exposure
At Sokolove Law, our experienced asbestos attorneys can help determine if you qualify for compensation from the Flexitallic asbestos trust as well as additional legal claims.
With more than 45 years of experience and over $5.5 Billion total recovered for asbestos victims and their families, Sokolove Law has the resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.
We handle every step of the process, from gathering medical and work records to filing your claims, so you can focus on your health and family.
Call (800) 647-3434 right now or complete our form to see if you may qualify for a payout from the Flexitallic asbestos trust.
Flexitallic Asbestos Trust FAQs
What were the Flexitallic asbestos lawsuits about?
Flexitallic asbestos lawsuits were filed by workers, U.S. Navy veterans, and their families who alleged they developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases after exposure to the company's asbestos-containing gaskets and sealing products.
Victims claimed Flexitallic and their parent companies knew about the dangers of asbestos but failed to adequately warn workers or the public. At one time, Flexitallic had been hit with 158,000 asbestos personal injury lawsuits.
Today, asbestos lawsuits can't be filed against Flexitallic, but compensation is still available from the trust fund instead. See if you can access compensation from the Flexitallic asbestos trust.
Did Flexitallic file for bankruptcy?
Flexitallic itself did not file for bankruptcy. However, their parent company Federal-Mogul filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001 after facing hundreds of thousands of asbestos lawsuits, many tied to companies it had acquired, including Flexitallic.
As part of the bankruptcy reorganization, the Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was established to compensate eligible asbestos victims.
Do Flexitallic gaskets contain asbestos?
Yes, many older Flexitallic gaskets contained asbestos because the mineral provided heat resistance, durability, and a tight seal in high-pressure industrial equipment. Up until the early 1980s, these gaskets were widely used in refineries, power plants, and aboard U.S. Navy vessels.
Workers could be exposed to asbestos fibers while installing, removing, cutting, scraping, or replacing worn Flexitallic gaskets during maintenance and repair work.
What is the average payout for the Flexitallic asbestos trust?
The value of a Flexitallic asbestos trust claim depends on your diagnosis, exposure history, and the trust's payment procedures. Currently, mesothelioma claims have a maximum value of $600,000, although the trust currently pays 2.9% of that value.
Many victims also qualify for compensation from multiple asbestos trust funds and lawsuits, with total mesothelioma recoveries averaging more than $1 Million.
What percentage does the Flexitallic asbestos trust pay?
At this time, the Flexitallic asbestos trust payment percentage is 2.9% of the claim's approved value, although payment percentages are periodically adjusted to preserve funds for future claimants.
How long does it take to get a Flexitallic asbestos trust payout?
Every claim follows its own timeline. Claims submitted through Expedited Review are often processed faster than those requiring Individual Review.
Many Sokolove Law clients begin receiving compensation in as few as 90 days of contacting us, although the exact timing depends on the trust and the details of each claim. Contact us now to see if we can seek trust fund payouts for you.
