Babcock and Wilcox Company
Boilers and other products made by the Babcock & Wilcox Company have been powering American industry since 1856 when Stephen Wilcox patented his water tube boiler. In 1902 B&W boilers powered New York City’s first subway, and in 1907 their boilers powered Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet, a battle fleet designed to demonstrate growing American military power by circumnavigating the globe. In the early 1940s Babcock & Wilcox provided components, materials and process development for the Manhattan Project.
As the United States grew in size and military might, so did demand for Babcock & Wilcox products. Today B&W provides auxiliary equipment, boilers, commercial nuclear plant components, modal nuclear reactors, and environmental equipment to a wide range of military and commercial industries around the world.
Babcock & Wilcox were very early adopters of asbestos, and started using it in their boilers and refractory products starting in the late 19th century. Asbestos was a favored material for manufacturers such as Babcock & Wilcox due to its almost miraculous ability to resist heat and flame and its low cost. Unfortunately, this “miracle mineral” also has the ability to become embedded in the delicate molecular linings of the internal organs, and are not easily expelled by the body. Over many years the embedded fibers cause scarring and irritation, a condition that can eventually lead to a range of deadly asbestos-related disease such as
mesothelioma, a rare but terminal form of cancer.
Babcock & Wilcox began to phase out the use of asbestos in 1970. Unfortunately, by then generations of B&W workers, their families and anyone who worked with B&W products had been potentially exposed to asbestos and were at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer. Those who installed, maintained, or serviced asbestos-covered boilers are especially at risk.
The Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Trust was formed in 2006 to resolve the bankruptcy of The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Diamond Power International, Inc., Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., Inc., and Americon, Inc.
If you believe you or a family member has developed mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease as a result of working at Babcock & Wilcoxand or using their products, and would like to learn about available treatment options or about working with a
mesothelioma attorney, contact us today.
Asbestos laws are in place to help you get financial compensation you need and deserve.