Throughout its century-long history, Bell & Gossett manufactured numerous products containing asbestos. These products affected both Bell & Gossett employees and countless consumers and workers who installed, maintained, or repaired the company’s equipment. Many victims diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have pursued legal action against the company, seeking compensation for their pain and suffering.
Bell & Gossett Company History
Bell & Gossett was established in Chicago in 1916, when E.J. Gossett and W.C. Bell formed a partnership to manufacture and sell case-hardening compounds. Two years later, they expanded their product line to include side-arm water heaters. The company grew rapidly, and W.C. Bell relocated to Cleveland to oversee the purchase of another case-hardening company while E.J. Gossett continued directing Chicago operations. Eventually, Gossett purchased Bell’s interest in the company.[1]
In 1930, the company introduced an innovative booster pump that led to it becoming one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and accessories for plumbing, wastewater, and HVAC applications. Bell & Gossett experienced substantial growth during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, focusing on engineering, developing, and producing components to enhance heating systems. On December 7, 1941, Bell & Gossett moved its headquarters from Chicago to a new 200,000 square-foot facility on 20 acres in Morton Grove, Illinois, expanding from 144 employees in 1939 to 947 employees working all over the country by 1955. Its sales jumped from $1.3 million to $25.2 million.
World War II saw Bell & Gossett devoting approximately 60 percent of its business to producing products for the war effort. Drawing on its knowledge in building centrifugal pumps, the company redesigned an existing bilge pump line used on amphibious trucks and landing craft. This resulted in them manufacturing more than 50,000 pumps for equipment used by the military, with a value of roughly $1 million. The Higgins Boat Company of New Orleans, which made the amphibious landing craft used in the D-Day Invasion, was one of Bell & Gossett’s biggest customers. Other production that contributed to the war effort included the company manufacturing 5,000 to 6,000 tank track pins a day, totaling 2.5 million by the war’s end. Other products included evaporators for Navy cargo ships, laundry tanks for Army portable laundry equipment, and self-contained steam jet cleaners for aircraft and other engines.[1] Many of these products were made using asbestos.
In 1963, Bell & Gossett was purchased by ITT Corporation. This meant even more opportunities for Bell & Gossett, as its numerous innovative products were sold to both the American market and worldwide. These products included Rolairtrol Air Separators, Suction Diffusers, Triple Duty Valves, VSC Pumps, and Circuit Setters. The resulting boost in business led to the Morton Grove facility eventually expanding to more than 500,000 square feet on 31 acres, with most of the expansion taking place during the 1960s and 1970s. A notable plant revitalization took place from 1988 to 1993.
In 2011, the Bell & Gossett brand became part of Xylem Inc. after splitting from its parent company, ITT. Today, Bell & Gossett products are part of major facilities throughout the United States, including Levi’s Stadium in California and the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado.[1]
How Did Bell & Gossett Use Asbestos?
Before the toxic nature of asbestos became public knowledge, the material was highly valued due to its fire-resistance and durability. As a result, it was a common component of anything exposed to high heat or stress, and this was true of many of Bell & Gossett’s innovations. The company’s Hydro-Flo® heating system used asbestos as pipe covering,[2] and Bell & Gossett manufactured and utilized various asbestos-containing products, including building boards, cement, gaskets, insulation, pipes, pumps, and shingles. To accomplish this, large quantities of raw asbestos were brought into the company’s manufacturing facilities, where they were mixed with other materials.
The use of asbestos created hazards for both the workers at Bell & Gossett facilities who were involved in the manufacturing process and for those who later installed, maintained, or repaired Bell & Gossett’s asbestos-containing products. The former group risked inhaling or ingesting raw asbestos fibers during the mixing and production process, while the latter faced exposure when the company’s materials eventually deteriorated through normal wear and tear. In both cases, the dangerous fibers released into the air were inhaled and later led to many workers being diagnosed with asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other serious illnesses.
Though much of the occupational exposure to the company’s products impacted those who directly worked with asbestos, Bell & Gossett employees who were in receiving and shipping were exposed, and those in administrative positions were also at risk. The company’s physical plants contained asbestos insulation in walls, ceilings, and equipment, and pipes carrying steam or chemicals were insulated with asbestos and reinforced with asbestos-containing coverings, packing, gaskets, and cement. Before the 1980s, asbestos fibers were virtually unavoidable in most manufacturing environments, and Bell & Gossett facilities were no exception.
Bell & Gossett Products That Contained Asbestos
Many products manufactured by Bell & Gossett over the years contained asbestos, including:[2]
- Bell & Gossett Building Boards
- Bell & Gossett Cement
- Bell & Gossett Gaskets
- Bell & Gossett Hydro-Flo® Heating System
- Bell & Gossett Insulation
- Bell & Gossett Pipes
- Bell & Gossett Pumps
- Bell & Gossett Shingles
This list does not include every asbestos-containing product that the company manufactured and sold through the years. Asbestos attorneys have the resources to identify difficult-to-find product listings for individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma who suspect exposure to Bell & Gossett products.
Who Was Affected by Bell & Gossett Asbestos-Containing Products?
Bell & Gossett’s asbestos-containing products were sold directly to consumers, as well as to other companies that used its parts or equipment in their final product. Those companies’ employees were also exposed to the toxic material, and so was anyone who installed, maintained, or removed Bell & Gossett equipment, such as pumps, valves, pipes, insulation, or heating systems. All these individuals were at risk of exposure to asbestos fibers released into the air during these activities.
Those at risk of occupational exposure to asbestos in Bell & Gossett products included:
- HVAC workers
- Boiler workers
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Steamfitters
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Industrial workers
- Maintenance workers
- Insulators
- Machinists
- Mill workers
- Hospital workers
Sadly, the risk to those who worked with asbestos-containing materials extended beyond their workplaces. Asbestos fibers that became airborne settled on their hair, skin, and clothing, where they were carried into their automobiles and homes and created a secondary level of exposure for their family. Many wives and children of workers exposed to the toxic mineral in this way have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.
Military personnel were also at risk, especially those who worked with vehicles or equipment containing Bell & Gossett components. The company manufactured many products or parts that were used by the U.S. military during and after World War II, and several of them contained asbestos. This included components for airplanes, amphibious trucks, cargo ships, combat tanks, landing craft, and laundry tanks.
Military personnel who were potentially exposed to asbestos in Bell & Gossett products included:
- Air Force veterans
- Army veterans
- Navy veterans
- Merchant Mariners
Many of those sickened by exposure to Bell & Gossett’s asbestos-containing products have successfully pursued legal action against the company, filing personal injury lawsuits seeking compensation for their suffering.
Asbestos Risk to Bell & Gossett Company Employees
From production workers to office personnel, all Bell & Gossett employees faced asbestos exposure within the company’s facilities. Raw asbestos was distributed throughout the building by employees in receiving departments, and those who mixed the toxic material with other materials in preparation for the manufacturing processes were also exposed. Additionally, asbestos insulation and asbestos-containing products throughout the Bell & Gossett work environment put employees in all roles at risk.
One of Bell & Gossett’s most important innovations was the company’s Little Red Schoolhouse training center. Established in 1954 in a former cafeteria on the Morton Grove campus, it led to the company frequently being referred to as “the industry’s educator.” The program differentiated itself by emphasizing a systems-based concept of teaching rather than focusing on product features and benefits, and more than 70,000 engineers, contractors, and other HVAC professionals were trained there.[3] Unfortunately, it was later shown that many of those who attended sessions there may have been exposed to asbestos, either from the building itself or through hands-on work with asbestos-containing equipment and materials.
Potential Bell & Gossett Asbestos Environmental Impact
Bell & Gossett’s role in asbestos exposure may have gone beyond those who were occupationally exposed to the material in their plant or the products they worked with. Many facilities where asbestos was used in manufacturing were later found to have created environmental hazards to their surrounding communities. When Bell & Gossett relocated its headquarters from Chicago to Morton Grove, the construction, operation, and eventual renovation of these large industrial sites may have released asbestos fibers into the local environment. A major concern is the plant revitalization that occurred from 1988 to 1993, when the public had become aware of the hazards of asbestos, but regulations about proper containment and removal procedures had not yet been put in place. The demolition or renovation of older buildings could have released significant amounts of asbestos fibers into the air and soil, endangering the construction crews working on the building and those who lived in the vicinity of the demolition work.
Lawsuits Involving Bell & Gossett
Bell & Gossett has been named in numerous lawsuits in which asbestos victims or their survivors have accused the company of negligence in causing asbestos-related diseases. Successful claims against the company have resulted in significant compensation, both through out-of-court settlements and verdicts handed down by juries. In one notable case, Bell & Gossett was one of several companies found liable for mill worker James Stock, Jr.’s mesothelioma. The court awarded the man and his wife a combined $7 million, with Bell & Gossett determined to be 12% liable for the damages and valve manufacturer Jenkins Brothers responsible for 50%. In 2018, this was one of the highest jury awards ever given to a mesothelioma victim by an Upstate New York jury.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos in Bell & Gossett Products?
If you worked at Bell & Gossett or were exposed to asbestos while using any of their products, you may be at risk of an asbestos-related illness. Even if you feel fine, you’re strongly encouraged to notify your healthcare provider of your history of exposure so that they can note it in your medical records and begin a screening program to ensure the earliest diagnosis possible. If you’ve been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, or any other asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against Bell & Gossett, and though the company never filed for bankruptcy, your exposure may have included products made by some of the other asbestos suppliers that have been forced to establish asbestos trust funds. If you’re a veteran who was exposed to Bell & Gossett asbestos-containing products during your military service, you may also qualify for monthly benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
After meeting with your healthcare team and beginning treatment for your condition, a consultation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney may be one of the most important things you do. Lawyers who specialize in asbestos law have extensive knowledge and resources they can use to identify all potential sources of your asbestos exposure. They can explain your legal options and guide you through deciding the best course of action for you and your family.
Whatever you decide to do, it’s important to contact legal counsel as soon as possible after receiving your diagnosis to preserve your rights and keep all your options open. There are statutory limitations on how much time you have to pursue legal action, and an asbestos attorney can tell you what they are to help ensure you meet all required deadlines.
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