If you or a loved one worked in a PPG facility and have since been diagnosed with a serious illness, you may be trying to understand how this happened and what to do next. These situations often come with more questions than answers, especially when the exposure happened years ago.
For decades, PPG Industries and asbestos worked hand in hand as asbestos was used throughout chemical plants and industrial sites because it was effective at controlling heat and preventing fires. Because of this, many people were exposed to asbestos dust without ever realizing it.
The risks were not always clearly explained, and symptoms often don’t appear until many years later. If you’re now facing mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, understanding where the exposure came from can be an important step forward. At The Lyon Firm, we help individuals and families connect the dots. Call our team today at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form. We’re here to listen and help you take the next step.
“Joe Lyon is an outstanding attorney. He is a forward thinker with his clients’ needs always top of mind. He is a brilliant strategist and incredibly resourceful. Highly recommend.”
– Melissa J. | Client
Tracing PPG Asbestos Exposure Back to Pittsburgh Corning
For decades, PPG Industries and Corning Glass Works operated a joint venture known as the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. While PPG is famous for paints and chemicals, this partnership led to the creation of high-temperature insulation products that were used across the country.
The company acquired a product line known as “Unibestos,” a pipe and block insulation material that contained extremely high levels of amosite asbestos, one of the most hazardous forms of the mineral.
Even as concerns about asbestos risks began to surface, these products remained in use for years. By the time production stopped in the early 1970s, thousands of workers across multiple industries had already been exposed to it. Because PPG helped run Pittsburgh Corning, they shared the responsibility for the health of the people using those products.
The PPG Plant Asbestos Trust Fund: How It Works for You
As more workers came forward with asbestos illnesses connected to their careers, Pittsburgh Corning faced tens of thousands of lawsuits. By the late 1990s, the number of claims became so large that the company could no longer pay them through traditional court settlements. In 2000, Pittsburgh Corning filed for bankruptcy after settling over 200,000 lawsuits, setting in motion a plan to ensure future victims could still receive compensation.
As part of the bankruptcy reorganization, a special fund known as the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust was created. This trust holds billions of dollars to pay people who were harmed by the company’s asbestos-containing products. PPG Industries contributed $1.4 million and relinquished its interest in Pittsburgh Corning, while Pittsburgh Corning and its insurers added another $1.7 billion. Altogether, the trust started with approximately $3.5 billion.
The trust was designed to provide compensation faster than traditional lawsuits. While individual payments are often a percentage of the full claim, the fund allows victims and their families to receive money without waiting for lengthy court proceedings.
The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust pays claims for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, doctor visits, and ongoing care related to asbestos-related illnesses.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity to cover for time missed from work, inability to return to previous jobs, or a decreased ability to earn in the future.
- Pain and suffering / emotional distress, including damages for the physical pain, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life caused by exposure and illness.
- Wrongful death claims address compensation for families who lost a loved one due to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diseases.
- Rehabilitation and home care costs, including in-home nursing, medical equipment, or modifications needed to maintain quality of life.
ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 20 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
Why Hire The Lyon Firm?
Working at a PPG facility, you rightfully assumed your company was looking out for you. But for decades, workers were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, putting their health and families at risk. Even if your time on the job was years ago, the impact of that exposure can show up long after your work ends.
At The Lyon Firm, we have spent nearly 20 years standing up for people harmed by companies that failed to protect their workers. We help families navigate PPG asbestos claims, the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust, and other compensation options, making sure you can focus on your health and your loved ones while we handle the legal complexities. Even if your exposure was years ago, there are paths to relief today.
If you or a loved one were affected by PPG Industries asbestos, call us at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form for a free, no-pressure consultation. We can review your situation, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward holding those responsible accountable.