For decades, Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) was one of the largest manufacturers of boilers and power plant equipment in the United States. Their systems powered schools, factories, ships, and industrial facilities across the country. But behind their success was a dangerous secret, many of these products were made with asbestos, a toxic mineral now known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses.
When B&W filed for bankruptcy in 2000, the company created a special fund called the Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Trust to help people who became sick after working with or around their products. This trust is still active today, offering compensation to workers and families who were exposed to asbestos through B&W boilers and equipment.
Between the 1920s and 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in boilers, pipes, and heat systems because it resisted heat and fire. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers can easily break apart and become airborne. When inhaled, these fibers can become trapped in the lungs, causing scarring and disease over time.
B&W used asbestos materials in many of their products, including:
This meant that power plant workers, boilermakers, engineers, and maintenance crews were often exposed while installing, repairing, or cleaning B&W equipment. Even those who didn’t handle the asbestos directly could inhale fibers released into the air.
When B&W filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, thousands of asbestos lawsuits were already pending against the company. To handle these claims fairly and efficiently, B&W established the Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust in 2006.
The trust was funded with $1.85 billion and continues to pay approved claims today. Its purpose is to provide compensation to individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases — without requiring them to go through a full lawsuit.
This is a faster process with a set payment amount for people who meet the trust’s medical and exposure criteria.
This process takes longer but allows for more detailed consideration of a claimant’s unique situation.
The amount a person receives depends on several factors, including the severity of their illness, work history, and the trust’s payment percentage, which is currently around 4.7% of the claim’s full value.
Anyone who worked with or around B&W boilers or asbestos materials may qualify for compensation, including:
You may also be eligible if your loved one passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after working with B&W equipment. In that case, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim through the trust.
To file a claim, you’ll need documentation showing:
Because asbestos exposure often occurred decades ago, gathering these materials can be complicated. That’s why having an experienced mesothelioma attorney is essential.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness after working with Babcock & Wilcox boilers or power plant equipment, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Call today at (800) 505-6000 for a free consultation, or contact us through our contact form to learn more about filing a claim with the Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Trust.
Sources:
https://www.mesotheliomahope.com/asbestos/companies/babcock-and-wilcox
