Gardner Denver Incorporated was established in 1859 under the name of Gardner Governor Company. From the 1940s to the 1980s, Gardner Denver manufactured compressor and pump equipment for the U.S. Navy. Parts of this equipment included asbestos-containing materials, which subjected thousands of individuals to the dangers posed by the substance. The company is still operational and continues to face lawsuits addressing asbestos exposure.
The History of Gardner DenverIn 1859, the Gardner Governor Company was founded and named after the creator’s work with centrifugal governors, parts that are used in industrial steam equipment. The company initially manufactured control equipment placed in steam engines.
In the 1890s, the company expanded its product line to offer both mud and steam pumps. To support its growth, the company merged with Denver Rock Drill Manufacturing Company in 1927 which led to the formation of Gardner-Denver Company. Also, during this period, Gardner Denver began manufacturing industrial and portable air compressors. This version of the company performed in various industries including construction, mining, and oil wells.
In the 1940s, Gardner Denver installed asbestos-containing pumps found on Navy ships. These ships included both aircraft carriers like the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as destroyers like the USS Glennon. Both pieces of machinery contained asbestos components, which include gaskets and insulation packing. By the 1980s, Gardner Denver discontinued the use of asbestos due to the introduction of new laws addressing the use of asbestos.
In 1979, Cooper Industries purchased Gardner Denver. Cooper Industries, however, separated in 1994. In 2019, Gardner Denver announced plans to merge with Ingersoll Rand. The company is still operational and continues to navigate asbestos exposure claims.
Asbestos-Containing Products Manufactured by Gardner DenverGardner Denver’s pumps are known to have contained asbestos and were widely used on Naval ships. The company found asbestos an attractive material due to its heat-resistant and durable nature. Air compressors, as well as mud pumps manufactured by the company, are also known to have contained asbestos.
Asbestos Litigation and Gardner DenverGardner Denver’s use of asbestos led to thousands of individuals being exposed to the material. As of June 2018, Gardner Denver held $100.8 million in reserve to resolve asbestos claims.
One asbestos case the company resolved involved an electrician employed from the late 1950s to the early 1970s where the man had worked on the USS Prevail, a Navy ship. The electrician had worked in the ship’s engine room where most of the equipment contained asbestos. The electrician believed that most of his exposure was due to air compressors. The worker subsequently received compensation for his asbestos exposure.
Unlike many companies that have a history of using asbestos, Gardner Denver has not created an asbestos trust to compensate claimants, and victims who allege asbestos exposure due to Gardner Denver products are directly compensated through the company’s funds.
Contact a Knowledgeable Asbestos Exposure AttorneyAfter a mesothelioma diagnosis, it’s important for the victim and their loved ones to remember they still have rights. One of these rights includes the right to hold the party responsible for the exposure. Accountable. If you need the assistance of an experienced asbestos exposure lawyer, do not hesitate to contact the Throneberry Law Group today to schedule a free case evaluation.
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