Stone and Webster’s corporate life began with its 1889 founding in Boston. The company began life as an electrical testing laboratory as well as a consulting firm. Since this time, the company has experienced substantial growth as well as pursued and emerged from bankruptcy due in part to the large number of asbestos claims it faces. Later, ownership of the company changed hands on several occasions.
Currently, Stone and Webster flourishes as a company that focuses on both global engineering and construction. The company provides electric power generation as well as gas and oil in addition to environmental solutions.
For several decades, Stone & Webster utilized asbestos-containing materials known to cause cancer in both its construction and engineering ventures. The company, however, failed to inform workers about the substantial health dangers that asbestos presented. Being exposed to asbestos is known to result in several deadly conditions.
The History of Stone & Webster and Asbestos Exposure
Two men who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology began Stone & Webster in the late 1880s. The company was first called the Massachusetts Electrical Engineering Company. Around this time, electrical engineering was viewed as a new field.
Massachusetts Electrical Engineering quickly grew to take on small tasks like testing equipment. Over time, the company became more diverse. By the 1900s, Stone & Webster worked in various fields including construction, engineering, and managing power plants. The company also worked in lighting systems and electrical railway systems.
In 1906, Stone and Webster began its first subsidiary, Stone and Webster Engineering. In 1929, Stone and Webster went public.
During both World Wars, Stone and Webster assumed many war projects that involved designing and building military bases as well as shipyards, airfields, arsenals, and case plants. The company even had a legendary role in the Manhattan Project, which is the infamous effort that led to the creation of the atomic bomb.
As time passed, Stone & Webster widened into various other areas including factories, refineries, pipelines, and laboratories. In 2000, difficulties with liquidity forced Stone and Webster to declare bankruptcy. The company was ultimately purchased by the Shaw Group, an engineering venture. As a term of emerging from bankruptcy, Stone & Wester was required to create an asbestos trust to compensate people who had been exposed to asbestos and would one day be facing serious illnesses.
How Asbestos Exposure Occurred at Stone & Webster
As one of the biggest companies involved in construction and engineering, Stone & Webster was involved in the construction of power plants as well as refineries, and plants dealing with petrochemicals. The company is reported to have been involved in constructing the infrastructure that handled around 20% of the United State’s power generation including oil, coal, nuclear, and natural gas.
Until the 1980s, asbestos-containing materials were widely used by the power industries. Employees likely were exposed to dangerous and cancer-causing asbestos fibers found in valves, pumps, boilers, tanks, gaskets, and turbines. Workers tasked with installing, maintaining, or repairing equipment containing asbestos are known to inhale or ingest small asbestos fibers.
Workers at Stone & Webster and on the Job Risks
Countless Americans were exposed to asbestos while on the job. While these Americans were working hard to provide income for their family, they inhaled deadly asbestos and other fibers. Some workers at Stone & Webster known to have faced asbestos exposure include electricians, pipefitters, plumbers, steamfitters, welders, mechanics, painters, and engineers.
Contact an Experienced Asbestos Exposure Lawyer
Our law firm is dedicated to fighting for making sure that the victims of asbestos exposure obtain the compensation they deserve. While you focus on recovering from your injury, we will remain focused on making sure that your case resolves in the best possible manner. Contact our law office today to schedule a free case evaluation. Reach out to the Throneberry Law Group today by calling (888) 506-1131.
