01. History of Asbestos Use
Congoleum History of Asbestos Use
The Nairn family emigrated to the United States in 1886 to grow Congoleum after operating a factory in Kirkcaldy, Scotland since the mid-1800s. Upon establishing the company in Kearny, New Jersey, they began manufacturing linoleum flooring, which was more durable and easier to clean than canvas floorcloths. In the early 1900s, the Nairn Linoleum Co. merged with a supplier in Pennsylvania who manufactured Congoleum, a simulated wood grain product used to border area rugs and linoleum. The flooring that Congoleum manufactured in the United States, including their wood grain products,vinyl flooring, asphalt tile and sheet flooring, containedasbestos fibersthat left their employees and consumers at risk.
From 1947 to 1983, Congoleum frequently used asbestos in theirflooring products. During this time, asbestos materials were used for their durability, especially on surfaces like flooring that are highly trafficked. However, these materials can become broken down or disturbed due to wear and tear or cutting and sanding of the product, which can result in fibers being released into the atmosphere. Exposure to these fibers cause asbestos-related diseases like万博专业版.
一个sbestos use in the United States slowed down by 1980, and the company instead relied on alternative flooring materials. Today, the company’s products on the market are FloorScore certified, meaning they abide by air quality regulations regarding toxic and harmful substances like asbestos. Although they stopped using asbestos materials in their flooring, Congoleum’s wide history of use exposed thousands of employees and consumers.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos Products
Congoleum Asbestos Products
Congoleum is one of the biggest flooring manufacturers in the United States and manufactured millions of products since their inception. Dozens of these flooring products contained asbestos, including asphalt tile, vinyl asbestos tile and sheet flooring withasbestos felt.
The company used asbestos in their products for about four decades. Because the products were so popular and used in homes, schools and other buildings, many people have potentially been exposed. For homes and buildings that have not been updated, old Congoleum products may still pose a risk if damaged or worn from old age.
| Product Name | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|
| 一个sbestos Tiles | 1959 | 1975 |
| 一个sphalt Tiles | 1959 | 1971 |
| Builderflor | 1978 | 1980 |
| Commercial Vinyl Flooring | 1974 | 1977 |
| Cushioned Inlaid Vinyl | 1970 | 1973 |
| Cushioned Vinyl | 1970 | 1980 |
| Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Commercial Vinyl Flooring | 1974 | 1977 |
| Cushionflor | 1978 | 1980 |
| Cushionflor | 1981 | 1983 |
| Cushionflor Supreme | 1970 | 1980 |
| Cushionflor Supreme | 1974 | 1983 |
| Dynasty | 1981 | 1983 |
| Dynasty Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Fashionflor | 1981 | 1983 |
| Fashionflor Cushioned Inlaid Vinyl | 1970 | 1973 |
| Fashionflor Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Firechek Bulletin Board Cork | 1962 | |
| Flor-Ever | 1981 | 1983 |
| Flor-Ever Commercial Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Flor-Ever Deluxe Vinyl | 1959 | 1969 |
| Flor-Ever Commercial Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Flor-Ever Vinyl | 1959 | 1960 |
| Flor-Ever Vinyl Tile | 1959 | |
| Flor-Ever Vinyl Top | 1959 | 1960 |
| Gold Seal Asphalt Tile | 1952 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Nairon Custom Tile | 1956 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Nairon Deluxe | 1957 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Nairon Standard | 1955 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Nairon Standard Tile | 1956 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Vinyl Inlaids | 1952 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Vinyl Nairon Standard | 1957 | 1958 |
| Gold Seal Vinyl Tile | 1952 | 1955 |
| Gold Seal Vinylbest Tile | 1954 | 1958 |
| Highlight | 1981 | 1983 |
| Highlight Cushioned Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Highlight Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Inlaid Cushion Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Inlaid Vinyl | 1965 | 1969 |
| Inlaid Vinyl | 1970 | 1973 |
| Luxury Cushioned Vinyl | 1965 | 1969 |
| Nairn Asphalt Tile | 1947 | 1951 |
| Nairn Custom Tiffany Vinyl Tile | 1959 | |
| Nairn Custom Vinyl Dynasty Tiles and Tile Inserts | 1959 | |
| Nairn Custom Vinyl Tile | 1959 | 1962 |
| New Dimension Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Pacemaker | 1974 | 1983 |
| Pacemaker Cushioned Vinyl | 1970 | 1980 |
| Pacemaker Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Pavillion | 1981 | 1983 |
| Peerless Cushioned Vinyl | 1981 | 1983 |
| Peerless Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Prestige | 1974 | 1983 |
| Profile | 1981 | 1983 |
| Reflection | 1974 | 1983 |
| Reflection 2 | 1974 | 1977 |
| Sequin | 1955 | 1958 |
| Solid Seal Vinyl Inlaids | 1952 | 1955 |
| Spacemaker Seamless Cushioned Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Spacemaker Wide Width | 1974 | 1977 |
| Spring | 1974 | 1983 |
| Spring Luxury Cushioned Vinyl | 1970 | 1980 |
| Spring Luxury Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Textured Inlaid Vinyl | 1965 | 1965 |
| The Now Floor Cushioned Vinyl | 1974 | 1977 |
| Ultraflor | 1981 | 1983 |
| Ultraflor Esteem | 1978 | 1980 |
| Ultraflor Esteem | 1981 | 1983 |
| Ultraflor Imperial | 1981 | 1983 |
| Ultraflor Majestic | 1978 | 1980 |
| Ultraflor Majestic | 1981 | 1983 |
| Ultraflor Regal | 1978 | 1980 |
| Ultraflor Regal | 1981 | 1983 |
| Villager | 1981 | 1983 |
| Villager Vinyl | 1978 | 1980 |
| Vinyl Asbestos Tile | 1954 | 1972 |
| 乙烯垫子 | 1974 | 1977 |
| Vinyl Cushionflor | 1970 | 1980 |
| Vinyl Cushionflor | 1974 | 1983 |
| Vinylbest | 1969 | 1975 |
| Vinylbest Tile | 1959 | 1962 |
03. Occupational Exposure
Congoleum and Occupational Exposure
Due to the widespread use ofasbestos in vinylflooring throughout the 1900s,thousands of workersat Congoleum may have been exposed to asbestos. Workers also put their families at risk ofsecondary asbestos exposure, which occurs when workers bring home asbestos fibers on their hair or clothing. In the home, harmful asbestos fibers can also be released when homeowners complete do-it-yourself projects, such as replacing outdated Congoleum flooring.
04. Asbestos Litigation
一个sbestos Litigation Against Congoleum
Since Congoleum produced many石棉地板产品, employees and others began to speak out about illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. Congoleum Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1993 due toasbestos exposure claims. Although the company did label their materials to indicate a presence of asbestos, workers and consumers weren’t truly aware of the risks they could face when cutting, sanding or wearing down flooring. This resulted in a series of lawsuits against the corporation.
One such case came in 1996 when Robert Ehret, a floor covering contractor, filed a lawsuit against Congoleum and other flooring manufacturers. Ehret was diagnosed withpericardial mesotheliomaas a result of exposure to asbestos from several flooring manufacturers. Ehret claimed his disease was caused by flooring he installed, removed and sanded 20 – 30 years prior to being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
While Congoleum tried to deny their involvement in Ehret’s exposure and blamed other manufacturers, the judge refused to dismiss the case. Ultimately, the jury assigned Congoleum 25% fault, and 12.5% each to the other companies involved, including一个rmstrong, Amtico, Azrock, Mannington, Flintkote and Kentile. Ehret died during the trial, but his family was awarded a total of $3.3 million in damages, $817,896 of which was awarded from Congoleum.
Since these lawsuits, Congoleum Corporation has established anasbestos trust fundto settle thousands of claims. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy also allowed the company to propose a reorganization plan for the business.
05. Asbestos Trust Fund
Congoleum Asbestos Trust Fund
一个lthough the company filed for bankruptcy in 1993, Congoleum Corporation’s trust fund was not established until 2010, when the reorganization plan was approved. The Congoleum Plan Trust was initially funded with $270 million to settlelawsuits for mesothelioma victimsand other personal injury cases.
一个s of January 1, 2019, the Congoleum Plan Trust Distribution Procedures established average values for claims involving specific diseases, including mesothelioma, that account for inflation.
| Disease | 一个verage Value |
| Mesothelioma (Level VIII) | $139,800 |
| Lung Cancer (Level VII) | $45,800 |
| Lung Cancer 2 (Level VI) | $12,300 |
| Other Cancer (Level V) | $15,000 |
| Severe Asbestosis (Level IV) | $37,000 |
The figures provided for payouts reflect base-level values. Actual values may be higher based on a claimant’s specific case. Factors including, but not limited to, age, exposure, type and firm settlement history are all taken into account during a lawsuit.
