Founded in 1866, H.K. Porter Inc. used asbestos to manufacture locomotives and their components, as well as other industrial machinery, equipment, tools, and parts. Because of that early use, the company faced several asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits. The financial and legal burden of those lawsuits eventually led to bankruptcy and an asbestos trust fund.
H.K. Porter History and Asbestos
Originally named Smith & Porter, the H.K. Porter Company was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1866.
Company founders, including Henry Kirke Porter, started the business as a machine shop, making a variety of industrial products and tools by order.
In 1867, the company received its first order for a locomotive.[1] In 1878, the company name changed to H.K. Porter & Company and again to H.K. Porter Company in 1899.
H.K. Porter also made boilers and engines for locomotives. In 1911, the company made the first gas-powered engine and locomotive. Also responsible for developing innovative manufacturing methods, H.K. Porter developed a “fireless” engine to replace the traditional boiler used commonly in steam locomotives.
H.K. Porter faced its first bankruptcy in 1939 as the use of trucks in transporting goods reduced the demand for locomotives.[1]
After the death of the founder, Henry Kirke Porter, Thomas Mellon Evans purchased the company. Evans managed to turn the company around, partly thanks to World War II and the government’s need for machinery and tools.
He also expanded the business by purchasing other similar companies, including many that used or distributed asbestos:[2]
- Thermoid Corporation
- Southern Asbestos Company
- LaClede Christy Company
- Asbestos Manufacturing Company
- Carolina Asbestos Company
- Russell Manufacturing Company
- Southern Textile Company
Through the production and sale of various industrial products, H.K. Porter continued to be successful, even after the last locomotive was produced in 1950.
How Did H.K. Porter Use Asbestos?
Many industries in the United States once used asbestos in their products. Asbestos has many useful properties, including strength, durability, lightweight, and resistance to heat, fire, and electricity.
Asbestos was also abundant and inexpensive. Building locomotives requires a material that can insulate from heat and protect against fire danger. Asbestos was the logical material choice for many decades.
Additionally, many of the companies H.K. Porter acquired over the years used asbestos or distributed it to other companies.
H.K. Porter Products That Contained Asbestos
Over the years, many products manufactured by H.K. Porter contained asbestos. These products included many locomotive components, including boilers and engines.
Even after H.K. Porter discontinued manufacturing trains, the company made other industrial products containing asbestos, including:
- Gasket
- Pipes
- Water tanks
- Pistons
- Steam valves
- Brakes
- Brake pads
- Fireproof cloth
Some of the companies acquired by H.K. Porter also commonly used asbestos. These include the Thermoid Corporation, the Southern Asbestos Company, and the Asbestos Manufacturing Company.
Who Was Affected by H.K. Porter Asbestos Products?
Many were impacted by asbestos used by H.K. Porter and the companies it acquired. H.K. Porter employees faced the most direct risks of exposure.
Employees who handled the asbestos that went into the products were at serious risk of inhaling asbestos fibers that became airborne.
These inhaled fibers cannot pass through the body easily, instead lodging in tissues and causing damage. In some people, this leads eventually to asbestosis, mesothelioma, or lung cancer. Those working in H.K. Porter factories risked exposure even if they never handled asbestos.
In addition to H.K. Porter employees, any industry workers who used their products were also at risk. Those who maintained and repaired locomotives, as well as those who operated them, were at risk as well.
Studies have shown that railroad workers have some of the highest rates of asbestos illnesses of any occupation, even when compared to other high-risk groups.[3]
Asbestos Lawsuits Against H.K. Porter
Because of decades of asbestos use, H.K. Porter began facing asbestos-related lawsuits in the 1980s. One notable lawsuit was brought by a public school district. The district claimed it used building materials made by H.K. Porter in its buildings.
After they realized the risks these materials posed to teachers and students, the district was required to cover the costs of asbestos remediation and building reconstruction. The lawsuit asked that H.K. Porter cover these costs.[4]
H.K. Porter faced lawsuits filed by individuals exposed to asbestos through the company’s products. These victims later became sick and sought compensation. The costs of these lawsuits were so expensive H.K. Porter sued its insurance company to recoup some of the millions it had spent compensating victims.
The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust
Ultimately, the expense proved too high for H.K. Porter. In 1991, the company sought bankruptcy protection. In 1998, the company emerged and reorganized with an established trust fund.
The H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust was funded with $77 million to help compensate victims and pay future asbestos claims. This trust remains active today. The current payment percentage on claims is 3%, which dropped from 4% in 2014.[5]
What to Do if You Were Exposed to H.K. Porter Asbestos
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, it’s important to talk to a mesothelioma or asbestos attorney. They can review your case for free and determine the companies responsible for your exposure and illness.
If H.K. Porter is one of these companies, a lawyer can help you make a claim for compensation through the trust fund. The trust is still open and compensating victims of past asbestos exposure.
