🪓 Bird Corporation – Asbestos Exposure from Roofing Felts and Building Materials

Bird Corporation, a key supplier of roofing felts, shingles, and other construction materials, manufactured products containing asbestos for decades. These products were widely used in commercial, residential, and industrial construction, exposing roofers, builders, and warehouse workers to harmful asbestos fibers during handling, installation, and removal.

🏢 Company Overview

• Founded: Mid-1800s (as Bird & Son)

• Headquarters: Massachusetts, USA

• Industry: Building and roofing materials

• Asbestos Use Period: 1920s–1970s

• Trust Fund: ❌ No independent trust fund; liability tied to successor companies

• Current Status: Acquired and restructured; some operations integrated into CertainTeed and other firms

Bird Corporation products were used nationwide, often sold through hardware stores and commercial supply chains, reaching contractors, builders, and do-it-yourself consumers.

⚠️ How Asbestos Was Used

Bird Corporation used asbestos in roofing felts, shingles, underlayments, and sheathing papers due to its:

• 🔥 Fire resistance

• 🧱 Strength and durability

• ☔ Water resistance

These materials were applied on rooftops and exterior walls, then nailed, cut, or bonded using adhesives. Such work released asbestos dust, especially during:

• 🪚 Cutting and scoring of felt or shingles

• 🔨 Nailing through materials

• 🔥 Using torches to apply roofing systems

• 🔁 Tear-offs and replacement of old roofs

👷 Who Was Exposed?

Exposure to asbestos from Bird Corporation products affected:

• 👷 Roofers and roofing crews

• 🧱 Builders and general contractors

• 🪛 Maintenance and repair workers

• 📦 Warehouse workers handling inventory

• 🏠 Homeowners and DIYers working on old roofs

• 🧯 Fire restoration crews removing damaged shingles

Many were exposed repeatedly over years of use on job sites.

⚖️ Lawsuits and Legal History

Bird Corporation has faced numerous lawsuits related to asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Plaintiffs included:

• Roofing contractors

• Warehouse employees

• Industrial workers involved in demolition or restoration

• Secondhand exposure victims from contaminated clothing

Though Bird Corporation did not establish an asbestos trust, liability has been assumed in part by successor companies, and claimants may pursue compensation through broader litigation.

📜 Notable Legal Developments

• 🏛️ Multiple successful verdicts in favor of roofers diagnosed with mesothelioma

• 📂 Company absorbed through acquisitions, complicating direct lawsuits

• 🔁 Some cases settled through consolidated litigation with other manufacturers

📅 Timeline of Asbestos Exposure

📊 Exposure Estimates

👷 Workers Exposed Directly to Bird Asbestos Products

➡️ Estimated Worker Exposure: ~49,000+

🌍 Indirect or Secondary Exposure

➡️ Estimated Non-Worker Exposure: ~16,000+

🪖 Military or Government Exposure

While Bird Corporation primarily served civilian construction, their materials were occasionally used in:

• 🪖 Military base housing

• 🏫 Public schools

• 🏢 Government offices and warehouses

In these cases, exposure occurred during installation, repair, or replacement of asbestos roofing and siding materials.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚖️ Can I still file a lawsuit for Bird Corporation asbestos exposure?

✔️ Yes. Even without a standalone trust fund, many workers have filed successful claims via:

• Multi-defendant lawsuits

• Exposure records through distributors

• Claims against successor corporations

🕓 Is there a time limit to file?

Yes — typically 2 to 3 years from the date of diagnosis (varies by state).

📋 What proof do I need?

• Work records showing use of Bird products

• Product packaging or supplier documents

• Medical diagnosis of asbestos-related illness

📉 Current Status

• 🏢 Bird Corporation no longer operates under original name

• 🔄 Portions acquired by CertainTeed and other firms

• ⚖️ Claims may be pursued via successor litigation

• 🏚️ Legacy asbestos roofing still exists on older structures

📌 Summary Snapshot – Bird Corporation