Riley Stoker

Established in 1890, Riley Stoker still operates under a similar name. The company gained a reputation as a manufacturer of industrial boilers as well as associated parts. Unfortunately, the company exposed many people to the hazards of asbestos. Despite its dangers, the company valued asbestos for some time due to the material’s durable and hesitant nature. As a result, Riley Stoker placed consumers as well as workers in danger of asbestos exposure, which can lead to a variety of dangerous illnesses.

Riley Stoker primarily focused on producing industrial-sized boilers. Boilers are a type of closed vessel used to heat fluids that then are used for heating water, generating power, sanitizing, and cooking among other uses. Riley Stoker also manufactured various parts like boiler insulation and gaskets that relied on asbestos due to the material’s durable nature.

Due to its use of asbestos, Riley Stoker first faced lawsuits involving asbestos exposure in the 1980s due to alleged wrongful exposure from workers who developed asbestos-related illnesses. Despite these lawsuits, many Riley products contained asbestos until the end of the 20th century, at which point asbestos was phased out of use in the company’s products.

One of the most common ways in which people were exposed to Riley Stoker products containing asbestos was occupational or on the job exposure. Some of the workers who were exposed to this hazardous material include boilermakers, boiler workers, industrial workers, paper mill workers, oil refinery workers, and workers at power plants.

Today, Riley Stoker operates under the name of Riley Power and is designated as a Babcock Power Incorporated company. The company still prides itself on its high-quality boilers as well as associated parts. In addition to offering boilers and boiler parts, Riley also offers a complete line of fuel-burning equipment for all types of fossil and waste fuel.

Riley Stoker first faced asbestos claims in the 1980s. During this period, Riley Stoker’s parent company, Ashland Incorporated, was responsible for these claims. The company denied some claims due to lack of evidence, but reached settlements with many victims regarding compensation due to exposure for asbestos-containing products manufactured by the company.

In 2007, management at Riley Stoker revealed that the company faced approximately 46,300 active lawsuits that were pending against the company. One example of a lawsuit against Riley Stoker involves a couple who initiated legal action against Riley Stoker as well as almost 200 other companies following the husband’s diagnosis of asbestosis and mesothelioma. During his time working, the man alleged that he was exposed to various products containing asbestos including several products manufactured by Riley Stoker. Other cases have involved people who have filed against Riley Stoker on behalf of loved ones including one man who initiated legal action against Riley Stoker after his father died from lung cancer due to exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by Riley Stoker.

If you or a loved one is exposed to asbestos as a result of employment at Riley Stoker or products manufactured by the company, you should not hesitate to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. Contact the Throneberry Law Group today for assistance.