The Quigley Company was established in 1916 as a refractory operation. Asbestos became a popular material in the 1930s due to its heat-resistant and durable nature. Due to asbestos usage, Quigley Company started facing lawsuits from workers and other individuals who faced exposure to its products. In 1991, the company was defunct, and it ultimately declared bankruptcy in 2004. The company is no longer operating, but victims of exposure to asbestos can still receive compensation from the company.
The History of Asbestos Usage and Quigley Company
Quigley Company began as a small operation in the 1910s and produced numerous refractory products for industries that rely on high heat. Quigley soon became one of the largest companies in the industry and expanded its range of products to include sealants and cement. During this time, Quigley also developed Insulag, which became one of the company’s popular products and was utilized as insulation for environments requiring high heat. Quigley placed asbestos in these materials until the 1970s.
In 1968, Pfizer & Company (which is today known as Pfizer) purchased Quigley Company and expanded both its metals and mineral division. By the 1990s, Quigley Company was no longer in operation. Pfizer transferred the entirety of its assets out of the company and discontinued operations in the metal and mineral industry. Even though Quigley stopped operation for more than a decade, the company continued to be an issue for Pfizer as the company faced an increased number of claims related to asbestos exposure.
In 2004, Quigley Company pursued bankruptcy, and the costs of litigation, as well as lawsuits, continued to expand.
Asbestos Usage and Quigley Company
20 years after the company was established, Quigley Company started using asbestos in various products. Because asbestos was durable and heat-resistant as well as inexpensive, the material proved to be a popular option. Reports demonstrate that Quigley utilized asbestos until 1977 even though the company became aware of health risks associated with asbestos in 1959.
The use of products manufactured by Quigley was utilized by various industries. As a result, countless workers were exposed to the danger of asbestos-containing products manufactured by Quigley. Some of the types of workers exposed to products manufactured by Quigley include brick masons, insulators, furnace workers, plant workers, and boilermakers.
Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits Involving Quigley Company
Quigley was first involved as a defendant in an asbestos exposure lawsuit in the late 1970s. This was shortly after the company stopped placing asbestos in its products. Quigley ultimately stopped its operations in 1991. At this time, Pfizer, which owned Quigley, proceeded through various legal proceedings to resurrect its subsidiaries. Consequently, Quigley Company pursued bankruptcy in 2004 to resolve costs associated with asbestos exposure lawsuits. At this time, Quigley filed for bankruptcy and was ultimately involved in over 410,000 lawsuits involving asbestos exposure, while Pfizer was in more than 280,000 claims. The number of claims against the company at this time was more than $1 billion. The company was also listed as a defendant in more than 260,000 claims until 2052. As a term of emerging from bankruptcy, Quincy was required to establish a trust to compensate victims.
Obtain the Assistance of an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
Countless people have ended up facing illnesses due to exposure to asbestos manufactured by
Quigley Company. If you or a loved one finds yourself in such a situation, one of the best things that you can do is contact Throneberry Law Group today to schedule a free case evaluation.
