Begun in 1795 as a single paper production mill, Bird Corporation eventually began producing roofing materials as well as vinyl siding. Consequently, many consumers and workers who came into contact with these products were exposed to asbestos and the associated dangers. Bird Incorporated has since been involved in countless lawsuits due to this asbestos exposure.
From its humble origins, Bird Incorporated was selected in 1812 to supply the United States with paper that was used for the country’s dollar bills. The company’s products were first manufactured without asbestos fibers. In 1880, however, most of the company’s machinery was lost to fire and flood. The company was subsequently forced to reinvent and rebrand itself. In the late 1800s, Bird Corporation began producing an asphalt roofing product that was widely used throughout the northeast part of the United States. The versatile nature of the company’s products proved advantageous for the United States military. At the beginning of World War II, the company contributed to the manufacturing of products for the war including shell casings and shipping cartons.
During the economic boom that occurred after World War II, the company created vinyl, which was particularly popular during the 1970s. Later in the 1970s and the 1980s, however, the company faced economic hardships. In 1980, Bird Corporation was named in its first asbestos claim. The Bird Corporation faced its first net loss this year and later became involved in many more asbestos lawsuits. Later in 1998, Bird Corporation was acquired by the CertainTeed Corporation.
Asbestos-Containing Product Manufactured by Bird Corporation
Bird Corporation used asbestos in its asphalt-roofing materials due to the material’s durable and heat-resistant nature. Asbestos-containing roofing material was a thick substance that was added to roofs. Besides asbestos, mineral grit was also added to roofing felt. Some of the particular products known to have been manufactured by Bird Corporation that have since been assessed to contain asbestos include:
- Asbestos felts
- Buca™ and Climitite™ roof coating
- Bird 15 and 45 pound base sheet
- Pacific™ asbestos roofing cap sheets
Lawsuits Involving Asbestos Exposure and Bird Corporation
Bird Corporation was involved in several asbestos exposure lawsuits, beginning in the 1980s. As of today, the Bird Corporation has been involved in over 550 asbestos exposure lawsuits. Bird Corporation later merged with CertainTeed, which has also been involved in many asbestos exposure lawsuits, as well.
In 2019, CertainTeed went through a restructuring that led to the creation of two companies: CertainTeedLLC and DBMP LLC. Restructuring passed on all of CertainTeed’s asbestos liabilities to DBMP. Later, in January 2020, DBMP filed for bankruptcy which permitted CertainTeed to continue operation. The terms of the bankruptcy proceeding will determine the amount of assets that must be passed into a trust fund to resolve both current and future asbestos claims.
Contact an Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with either mesothelioma or an associated condition, you should not hesitate to speak with a compassionate attorney. Contact the Throneberry Law Group today to schedule a free case evaluation.
