Henry Vogt Machine Company: Asbestos Exposure
Founded in the late 1800s in Louisville, Kentucky, the Henry Vogt Machine Company made ice machines, boilers, and valves. At one point, the company was the largest forged steel manufacturer in the world. However, in 1989, the company started facing lawsuits related to asbestos exposure, and after spending $8 million in settlements and $14 million in legal costs, the company declared bankruptcy in 2012.
If you have been exposed to asbestos due to working at the Henry Vogt Machine Company or interacting with its products, you may be entitled to compensation. To get help now, contact the mesothelioma attorneys at Satterley and Kelley, PLLC. Or keep reading for more information about the risks of this asbestos exposure site.
Henry Vogt Machine Company in Louisville, KY (public domain)
What Is the Henry Vogt Machine Company?
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Henry Vogt Machine Company was a manufacturer of ice makers, valves, and gaskets. The company developed a refrigeration system to make artificial ice in the late 1890s, and at the same time, Vogt also had a boiler business.
Both the boilers and the ice makers required high-quality valves, and to meet that need, Vogt began producing forged steel valves. The Vogt Valve brand continues to exist. In 2017, OMB Valves acquired Vogt Valves from the Flowserve Corporation for $28 million.
Asbestos Exposure at the Henry Vogt Machine Company
Historically, Vogt valves contained asbestos packing. The company’s gaskets also featured chrysotile asbestos between their metal windings as well as latex-filled asbestos. Although researchers have known about the dangers of asbestos since the 1930s and arguably even longer than that, Henry Vogt continued to use asbestos in its manufacturing, exposing its employees and consumers.
People who worked on the assembly lines putting together the gaskets and valves were exposed to asbestos. Similarly, employees who received and unpacked the asbestos were exposed. Managers and administrative staff who went into the production areas were also likely to be exposed.
Asbestos Exposure Through Vogt Valves
Although Vogt valves were originally manufactured for internal use, they were ultimately sold to many other companies that used valves. For instance, the valves were commonly used on shipping vessels.
People who installed the valves were exposed to asbestos. Additionally, most valves needed to be regularly replaced, and anyone who removed the old valves or put in new ones were also exposed to asbestos.
Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Even a single exposure to asbestos can lead to terminal illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other types of cancer. Workers who were employed by the company for years or even decades face a heightened risk of serious illnesses due to repeated exposure.
Your Rights as a Former Henry Vogt Machine Co Employee
Unfortunately, if you are a former Henry Vogt Machine Company employee who has contracted mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you cannot hold the company liable for your injuries. Kentucky’s worker’s compensation scheme protects employees who get injured on the job, but the protection ends about a year after your employment ends. Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, most victims cannot meet this timeline.
However, you have other options. In particular, former employees may be able to bring lawsuits against the companies that supplied the asbestos used by the Henry Vogt company. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you come up with additional options—many asbestos lawsuits name multiple defendants.
Ideally, you should contact an attorney experienced in Kentucky because they will have insights and knowledge that other attorneys may not have.
Consumers of Vogt Valves
If you used Vogt valves while working for another company, you may be able to hold Vogt liable for your exposure. Again, due to Kentucky’s worker compensation laws, you will not be able to bring a lawsuit against your employer. However, if you installed or replaced these valves and were exposed to asbestos in the process, the valve manufacturer may be liable.
Special Liability Rules for Family Members of Employees
Tragically, family members of Henry Vogt Machine Company employees may also have been exposed to asbestos. The Henry Vogt Machine Company didn’t warn employees or their families about the risks. Instead, the company let people carry these fibers into their homes, putting their families at risk.
When people work around asbestos, the tiny fibers get into their clothing and hair. When they return home, the fibers get into the carpet, laundry, and other parts of their home. Once in the home, the fibers can be inhaled by family members, potentially leading to mesothelioma or other serious illnesses.
Luckily, Kentucky law provides protection for people who experienced secondary exposure. In these cases, you may be able to hold Henry Vogt liable for your injury.
Timelines for Asbestos Lawsuits
In all cases, you have a limited amount of time to bring forward a lawsuit. You must file your suit within one year of the date you discovered the injury. Although there are some exceptions, in most cases, the deadline is one year from the date of diagnosis.
What to Do If You Are Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we extend our deepest sympathies to you. Right now, you have to focus on your health, your family, and your quality of life. But we can help with the legal aspect of your situation. Treating mesothelioma can be very expensive, but a settlement can help you cover expenses and provide compensation for pain and suffering.
To protect your finances and your rights, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after your diagnosis. When you contact us, we’ll talk with you about your situation, help you identify a liable party, and help you file a lawsuit as quickly as possible before the statute of limitations expires.
To learn more, contact us today at Satterley and Kelley, PLLC. We are based in Kentucky and have experience representing many people who contracted mesothelioma due to primary and secondary asbestos exposure in their workplaces or homes.
Sources:
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F3/424/424.F3d.488.04-3751.html