M.H. Detrick Company manufactured insulation and refractory products with asbestos for many years. Some of the exposed workers developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. The resulting lawsuits forced M.H. Detrick to file for bankruptcy protection and establish an asbestos trust fund that has since closed.
M.H. Detrick History and Asbestos
M.H. Detrick Company was founded in Mokena, Illinois, in 1925 as a heat enclosure manufacturer.
- Detrick quickly grew into an international leader in heat enclosure refractory linings and industrial insulation from humble beginnings.
- Detrick products commonly contained asbestos because they needed to withstand extreme temperatures.
- M.H. Detrick used asbestos between 1939 and 1964. This use eventually led to lawsuits against the company from those sickened by asbestos exposure.
- The expense of the lawsuits led to bankruptcy and the establishment of an asbestos trust. The company is still in business today after bankruptcy reorganization, but the trust is no longer active.
Despite past troubles with asbestos and related litigation, M.H. Detrick Company is still operating today from headquarters in Frankfurt, Illinois. The company focuses on producing suspended refractory constructions for heat enclosures in industrial settings. Detrick sells materials for high-temperature industries.[1]
How Did M.H. Detrick Use Asbestos?
Refractory materials must withstand high temperatures without breaking or leaking excessive heat. In the past, companies that made these materials commonly used asbestos, and M.H. Detrick was no exception.
Asbestos was used in refractory materials because it effectively insulates and prevents fires. Asbestos was also cheap and readily available, making it desirable for many industrial materials. It was flexible, could be molded to various shapes, and added strength and durability to other materials.
M.H. Detrick Products That Contained Asbestos
Even as the health hazards of asbestos came to light, manufacturers continued to use this natural mineral in refractory materials. Detrick products that contained high amounts of asbestos include:[2]
- Insulating, fireproofing, casing, and finishing cement
- Block insulation
- Plastic insulation
- Asbestos rope
- Permiseal
- Asbestos board
- Fire bricks
- Pipe coverings
- Boiler coatings
Some of the brand names of M.H. Detric products that used asbestos include:
- Asbestolux
- Detrick MW
- Pyroscat
- Hilite
- Detroc
- Hitherm
- Calcrete
- Duriseal
Which Workers Were Affected by M.H. Detrick Asbestos?
Any workers who worked around asbestos could have been exposed to its dangerous microscopic fibers. When asbestos remains contained, it poses no health risks.
However, when its tiny fibers are disturbed, they can break loose and float in the air as dust. This often happens when workers handle the mineral or use it to make products like refractory materials.
Employees who worked around asbestos in M.H. Detrick’s factory likely came into contact with asbestos fibers. Over time, the fibers can damage tissue and organs. As a result, some exposed people develop serious illnesses like lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
It was not just M.H. Detrick workers who could have been hurt by asbestos. Workers in industries supplied by the company were also put at risk. M.H. Detrick sold asbestos products to:
- Chemical plants
- Refining plants
- Metalworks
- Glass factories
- Boiler manufacturers
- Companies with incinerators
Many workers in these and other industries were put at risk of asbestos exposure and illnesses from M.H. Detrick products:
- Industrial workers
- Steel mill workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Construction workers
- Chemical plant workers
- Power plant workers
- Boilermakers
- Shipyard workers
M.H. Detrick also supplied the U.S. Navy. Their products used on ships and in shipyards contributed to the high exposure rates and high rates of mesothelioma in Navy veterans.
Asbestos Lawsuits Against M.H. Detrick
Over time, exposure to asbestos did cause some people to develop serious illnesses. As a result, some workers sought compensation and justice, citing that M.H. Detrick never warned them about the danger of asbestos.
These lawsuits began in the 1980s. This is mainly due to mesothelioma’s long latency period. Workers from decades earlier were just developing symptoms and receiving diagnoses.
In one of these cases, Wesley Roberts, a former worker, and his wife sued M.H. Detrick. Roberts named several defendants, including Detrick, that he claimed caused his asbestos exposure while he worked as a pipefitter for an oil refinery. Though Roberts died from mesothelioma, his widow received compensation after his death.
Bankruptcy and Asbestos Trust
The lawsuits M.H. Detrick faced became costly. The company settled many, often for undisclosed amounts; however, mounting debts forced Detrick to file for bankruptcy protection in 1998. In 2002, the company reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy.
In that same year, it also established a $3 million asbestos trust to cover future claims brought by former workers. Though the company is back on its feet, its trust is no longer active.[3] It closed on February 10, 2011.
If You Were Exposed to M.H. Detrick Asbestos Products
If you believe you have a claim against M.H. Detrick, it is too late to file with the now inactive trust. However, you may still be able to make a case and file a lawsuit.
Talk to a mesothelioma lawyer about your options and how you can seek compensation. Other companies liable for your illness may be held accountable. A lawyer will review your case for free and provide some advice.
