Nicolet (Keasbey & Mattison)

Nicolet Keasbey & Mattison manufactured asbestos-containing products for many years, including pipe insulation. Beginning before the 20th century, the company grew substantially in size. Unfortunately, the company also exposed a countless number of people to the hazards of asbestos.

The Company’s History

Once known as the Nicolet Company, Nicolet Keasbey & Mattison’s history is a unique one. While it became known as a manufacturer of various industrial products, the company started in pharmaceuticals. The company was first involved in producing patient medication. It entered the pharmaceutical field when it was discovered that Milk of Magnesia created pipe insulation when mixed with asbestos.

The company later changed industries to manufacture industrial supplies that contained asbestos. Keasbey later grew to be one of the country’s biggest producers of asbestos-containing products. By the 1960s, the company had passed through several corporate changes. Following an acquisition by Nicolet Industries, the company continued producing asbestos-containing motor vehicle parts.

For many years, the company operated a production facility in Ambler, Pennsylvania. In the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that Nicolet was disposing of toxic waste in Ambler. The company was subsequently fined. Due to the extensive toxic waste disposed of in Ambler, the EPA has listed the area as a Superfund site. In 2009, the EPA began cleaning up the area.

Bankruptcy

In 1987, Nicolet Keasbey & Mattison filed for bankruptcy after it was involved as a defendant in over 60,000 asbestos exposure lawsuits. The company later became a division of Armstrong World Industries.

As a term of its bankruptcy discharge, the company was required to create a trust to compensate asbestos exposure victims. The Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust started handling claims in 2007 by the victims of asbestos exposure involving Nicolet and its affiliates. The trust was initially funded with $2.11 billion. The trust’s payment schedule is currently 26%, which is higher than average for asbestos trusts.

Legal History Involving Asbestos Exposure

In the 1970s, Nicolet faced its first lawsuits from workers as well as their loved ones who had been directly exposed to asbestos fibers that were carried home on worker clothing. Today, Armstrong bears liability for all of the asbestos cases that occurred involving Nicolet Keasbey & Mattison. Armstrong was found liable for all asbestos claims in a landmark lawsuit that enabled more asbestos exposure victims to obtain compensation from the responsible companies.

One of the notable lawsuits in which the company was a defendant involved a woman who passed away from lung cancer. The woman’s father previously worked at a Nicolet cement plant. The woman came to her father’s job site several times over the years. The woman resolved her case for an unknown amount.

Speak With a Compassionate Asbestos Exposure Lawyer Today<

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, many people are uncertain how they can hold the party who was responsible for their exposure accountable. One of the best steps that you can take is to contact an experienced attorney at the Throneberry Law Group today. Contact (888) 506-1131 to schedule a free case evaluation.

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