Plibrico Company, LLC
Plibrico Company, LLC, was found in 1914 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, on Goose Island. The founder of Plibrico was W.A.L. Schaeffer. Early in the company’s history, Schaeffer believed that the industrialization of the United States would require sophisticated refractories. Accordingly, he pioneered the monolithic refractory for that purpose.
Monolithic refractories are refractories, which are a single piece. They are sturdy and heat-resistant. The company developed a line of high alumina and aluminosilicate refractories. Plibrico has been recognized as one of the leading refractory producers in the country.
Plibrico used asbestos liberally to ensure that the Plibrico refractories could withstand high temperatures. This meant that employees at Plibrico’s factory were exposed to large amounts of the deadly mineral. Additionally, employees who worked to install, repair and maintain refractories were also exposed to asbestos. Many of these men and women developed the cancer known as mesothelioma.
As early as the 1920s, physicians recognized that exposure to asbestos caused severe sickness when asbestosis was identified by British medical journals. At the same time, insurance companies in the United States and Canada stopped selling life insurance to asbestos workers. Moreover, safer substitutes for most asbestos uses were known as early as the 1930s. Nevertheless, Plibrico chose to protect its substantial profit margins rather than discontinue use of the mineral.
Additionally, the asbestos fibers remain in a person’s lungs for years and symptoms may not develop for decades. Plibrico’s victims might live for decades without knowing of the deadly injury they sustained.
Because Plibrico injured thousands of men and women, the company faced enormous liability. In 2002, the company filed for bankruptcy protection. It emerged from bankruptcy after four years and created the Plibrico Asbestos Trust to handle current and future asbestos claims against the company. If you or a loved one has been injured by Plibrico, it is important that you contact The Gori Law Firm immediately for more information on your rights.