Garlock Sealing Technologies Asbestos Exposure: Gaskets, Packing & Trust Claims
Garlock Sealing Technologies historically manufactured and sold industrial sealing products—including asbestos-containing gaskets, sheet gasket material and packing—used with pipes and valves carrying hot fluids in maritime, refinery and other industrial applications. Federal bankruptcy findings describe many Garlock products as encapsulated asbestos products that could release fibers when workers cut, scraped, wire-brushed, ground or removed them.
Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC, The Anchor Packing Company and Garrison Litigation Management Group filed Chapter 11 on June 5, 2010. A confirmed reorganization later established the GST Settlement Facility to resolve qualifying asbestos claims involving Garlock and Coltec products. The Trust uses a matrix based on disease, Contact Group and individual factors rather than a single universal payment percentage. Its governing Claims Resolution Procedures were amended again effective March 27, 2026, and the Trust currently publishes potential maximum settlement values by disease and Contact Group.
🏢 Garlock Company & Bankruptcy History
Garlock became a major industrial sealing-products business. SEC filings from former parent EnPro Industries describe Garlock Sealing Technologies and Anchor Packing as manufacturers and/or sellers of industrial sealing products, predominantly gaskets and packing, that contained encapsulated asbestos fibers. By 2010, Garlock faced tens of thousands of pending and anticipated asbestos personal-injury claims and sought Chapter 11 protection to create a permanent claims-resolution mechanism.
Garlock Facts at a Glance
| Topic | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Historical asbestos products | Industrial gaskets, asbestos sheet gasket material and packing |
| Typical applications | Pipes and valves carrying hot fluids; maritime, refinery and industrial systems |
| Product characteristic | Many products described in Trust/bankruptcy records as encapsulated asbestos products |
| Chapter 11 filing | June 5, 2010 |
| Bankruptcy court | U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of North Carolina |
| Plan confirmation | June 12, 2017 by U.S. District Court |
| Plan effective | July 31, 2017 |
| Claims mechanism | GST Settlement Facility |
| Claims administrator | Verus Claims Services |
| Current governing CRP | Second Amended and Restated CRP with amendments through March 27, 2026 |
Bankruptcy & Trust Timeline
| Date | Verified Event |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2010 | Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC, Anchor Packing and Garrison filed Chapter 11. |
| January 10, 2014 | Bankruptcy court issued aggregate-liability estimation decision concerning present and future mesothelioma claims. |
| March 2016 | Comprehensive consensual settlement announced. |
| January 30, 2017 | OldCo, successor by merger to Coltec Industries, filed Chapter 11. |
| June 12, 2017 | District Court confirmed the Joint Plan. |
| July 31, 2017 | Joint Plan became effective; §524(g) channeling structure and Trust implemented. |
| September 17, 2018 | GST Settlement Facility began accepting asbestos personal-injury claims. |
| April 1, 2021 | Second Amended and Restated Claims Resolution Procedures became effective. |
| November 11, 2021 | Appendix I Maximum Settlement Values increased. |
| March 27, 2026 | Fifth Amendment to CRP became effective, amending Appendix I Section I.B.1. |
⚙️ Garlock Asbestos Gaskets, Sheet Material & Packing
The federal bankruptcy court described Garlock as producing and selling asbestos gaskets, sheet gasket material and packing used in pipes and valves transporting hot fluids. The products were common in maritime, refinery and industrial applications and were often installed near heavier asbestos thermal insulation made by other manufacturers.
Documented Garlock Product Categories
| Product / Material | Primary-Source Evidence |
|---|---|
| Preformed gaskets | Bankruptcy and Trust records identify asbestos-containing Garlock gaskets. |
| Sheet gasket material | Workers could cut individual gaskets from Garlock asbestos sheet material. |
| Packing | Garlock asbestos packing is expressly included in current Trust exposure criteria. |
| Industrial sealing products | SEC filings characterize historical Garlock/Anchor products predominantly as gaskets and packing. |
| Hot-fluid systems | Federal bankruptcy findings identify use in pipes and valves carrying hot fluids. |
Product Distinctions
| Issue | Accurate Treatment |
|---|---|
| Garlock made asbestos-containing gaskets | Confirmed. |
| Garlock sold asbestos sheet gasket material | Confirmed. |
| Garlock sold asbestos packing | Confirmed. |
| Many Garlock products were encapsulated | Confirmed in bankruptcy/Trust documents. |
| Garlock made all thermal insulation surrounding its products | Not supported; court findings distinguish insulation made by other manufacturers. |
| Every Garlock product contained asbestos | Not claimed. |
| Garlock/Coltec supplied asbestos products after Dec. 31, 2000 | Current CRP states they ceased supplying/manufacturing asbestos-containing products by that date. |
Activities Recognized by Current Trust Rules
| Activity | CRP Treatment |
|---|---|
| Grinding Garlock asbestos gaskets | Can qualify as Direct GST Product Contact when performed hands-on on a regular basis. |
| Scraping Garlock asbestos gaskets | Expressly identified in Direct GST Product Contact definition. |
| Wire brushing Garlock gaskets | Expressly identified. |
| Cutting gaskets from Garlock asbestos sheet | Expressly identified. |
| Cutting/removing Garlock asbestos packing | Expressly identified. |
| Other Garlock asbestos products | May qualify if claimant credibly demonstrates specified hands-on disturbance that could have contributed to disease. |
⚓ Workers, Navy & Industrial Exposure
Garlock products were used where durable sealing was needed in hot, pressurized fluid systems. Federal findings specifically identify maritime and refinery uses, and the Trust’s definition of the United States expressly includes U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels. Workers who removed old gaskets, fabricated replacement gaskets from sheet material or pulled packing from valves and equipment are especially relevant to Garlock claims.
Potentially Exposed Worker Groups
| Worker Group | Potential Historical Activity |
|---|---|
| Navy machinist’s mates | Maintaining pumps, valves and piping systems with gaskets/packing. |
| Shipyard workers | Removing and installing industrial sealing materials during overhaul. |
| Pipefitters / steamfitters | Opening flanges and replacing gaskets. |
| Valve mechanics | Removing packing and gasket materials. |
| Refinery mechanics | Servicing hot-fluid process piping and valves. |
| Industrial maintenance workers | Cutting gaskets and repacking equipment. |
| Boilermakers | Working around high-temperature piping and sealing systems. |
| Millwrights | Disassembling machinery and connected piping. |
| Bystanders | Current CRP recognizes qualifying bystander product contact under defined circumstances. |
Relevant Industries & Settings
| Setting | Relevance |
|---|---|
| U.S. Navy ships | Maritime sealing applications and Trust rules expressly encompass qualifying U.S. Navy vessel exposure. |
| Shipyards | Equipment and piping overhaul involved gasket and packing work. |
| Refineries | Federal bankruptcy findings specifically identify refinery applications. |
| Chemical plants | Hot-fluid process piping commonly required industrial sealing products. |
| Power plants | Steam and hot-water systems required gaskets and packing. |
| Manufacturing plants | Industrial piping, pumps and valves required maintenance. |
See U.S. Navy Asbestos Exposure, High-Risk Jobs Asbestos Exposure and Job Site Asbestos Exposure.
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🔧 How Historical Garlock Asbestos Exposure Occurred
Garlock’s bankruptcy findings and current CRP focus on disturbance rather than mere contact. Many Garlock asbestos products were encapsulated and generally did not release asbestos fibers simply by being touched. The Trust recognizes activities such as grinding, scraping, wire brushing, cutting and removing asbestos gaskets or packing because those activities can release fibers or dust.
Potential Exposure Pathways
| Task | Potential Fiber-Release Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Scraping old gaskets | Aged gasket residue could release dust from metal sealing surfaces. |
| Wire brushing flanges | Abrasive cleaning could disturb remaining gasket material. |
| Grinding gasket residue | Mechanical abrasion could release asbestos fibers. |
| Cutting sheet gaskets | Fabricating individual gaskets from asbestos sheet could generate fibers/dust. |
| Removing valve packing | Pulling/cutting old asbestos packing could disturb fibers. |
| Nearby work | Qualifying bystander exposure may apply under the CRP where job duties occurred regularly in close proximity. |
| Secondary exposure | Current CRP recognizes defined Secondary Coltec/GST Product Contact. |
Product Contact Categories
| Type | General CRP Description |
|---|---|
| Direct GST Product Contact | Regular hands-on qualifying disturbance of Garlock asbestos products. |
| Direct Coltec Product Contact | Regular hands-on qualifying work involving asbestos gaskets/packing contained in Coltec products. |
| Bystander Product Contact | Regular job duties in close proximity to a worker performing qualifying direct-contact activities. |
| Secondary Product Contact | Contact with asbestos fibers/dust through a person who experienced qualifying occupational product contact. |
💰 GST Settlement Facility & Current Claim Values
The GST Settlement Facility is an operating asbestos claims trust created under Garlock’s confirmed reorganization plan. It does not use one universal payment percentage like many other asbestos trusts. Instead, Expedited Claim Review uses a Matrix Amount calculated from the applicable Maximum Settlement Value, the injured party’s Contact Group and an Individual Party Factors Index that includes disease/medical information and other factors.
Trust Facts
| Trust Fact | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Name | GST Settlement Facility |
| Purpose | Resolve qualifying asbestos claims arising from exposure to Garlock or Coltec products |
| Plan effective date | July 31, 2017 |
| Claims opening | September 17, 2018 |
| Administrator | Verus Claims Services |
| Review routes | Expedited Claim Review and Extraordinary Claim Review |
| Single payment percentage | No; claims use matrix methodology |
| Current CRP amendment status | Fifth Amendment effective March 27, 2026 |
| Asbestos product cutoff stated in CRP | Garlock and Coltec ceased supplying/manufacturing asbestos-containing products by Dec. 31, 2000 |
Verified Reorganization Funding
| Contribution | Amount / Description |
|---|---|
| GST LLC and Garrison cash | $350 million immediately before Plan effective date |
| OldCo cash | $50 million immediately before Plan effective date |
| EnPro stock option / cash-equivalent mechanism | $20 million value under Plan terms |
| OldCo deferred cash contribution | $40 million |
| GST LLC/Garrison deferred cash contributions | $20 million aggregate |
| Important distinction | These are verified Plan funding contributions, not a statement of the Trust’s current 2026 net assets. |
Current Published Potential Maximum Values
| Disease | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $342,900 | $102,900 | $42,900 | $42,900 | $42,900 |
| Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer | $85,725 | $25,725 | $10,725 | $10,725 | $10,725 |
| Severe Asbestosis | $85,725 | $25,725 | $10,725 | $5,350 | $425 |
| Asbestos-Related Other Cancer | $34,290 | $10,290 | $4,290 | $2,140 | $170 |
| Disabling Asbestosis | $10,287 | $3,087 | $1,287 | $642 | $51 |
| Non-Disabling Asbestosis | $6,858 | $2,058 | $858 | $428 | $34 |
These are potential maximum values, not guaranteed settlement offers. Under the CRP, an Expedited Claim Review offer is calculated using the applicable Contact Group Maximum Settlement Value multiplied by the injured party’s factors index. Disease, medical evidence, age, economic loss where applicable, length/type of qualifying product contact and other CRP factors can affect the actual Matrix Amount.
Medical Information Factors
| Disease | Current CRP Medical Information Factor |
|---|---|
| Malignant Mesothelioma | 1.00 |
| Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer | 0.25 |
| Severe Asbestosis | 0.25 |
| Asbestos-Related Other Cancer | 0.10 |
| Disabling Asbestosis | 0.03 |
| Non-Disabling Asbestosis | 0.02 |
📋 GST Claim Filing, Medical & Exposure Requirements
Claimants must submit a completed Proof of Claim and satisfy the Trust’s medical and product-contact requirements. The CRP requires credible evidence that Coltec/GST Product Contact could have contributed to the injured person’s asbestos-related condition.
Selected Exposure Requirements
| Claim Type / Situation | Current CRP Requirement |
|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | Credibly demonstrate qualifying Coltec/GST Product Contact; no six-month minimum. |
| Non-mesothelioma diseases | Generally at least six months total qualifying Coltec/GST Product Contact during the occupationally exposed person’s career. |
| Only secondary contact | Trust makes a settlement offer only for malignant mesothelioma under the CRP reviewed. |
| Ship-at-sea contact | Fifty days of qualifying product contact while confined to a ship at sea is treated as equivalent to six months. |
| Exposure location | Claimant must identify relevant residence, plant, ship or commercial building and location information. |
| Product activity | Evidence should identify qualifying direct, bystander or secondary contact as defined by CRP. |
Evidence That May Support a Claim
- Medical records and pathology/radiology reports meeting applicable CRP criteria.
- Navy service records and ship assignments.
- Employment, union and Social Security records.
- Identification of Garlock gaskets, sheet gasket material or packing.
- Plant, ship or commercial-building identification.
- Invoices, purchase records, maintenance records or equipment records.
- Coworker, shipmate or other credible witness affidavits/testimony.
- Evidence describing grinding, scraping, wire brushing, cutting or removal activities.
- Evidence supporting qualifying bystander or secondary contact where applicable.
Claim Review Paths
| Route | General Purpose |
|---|---|
| Expedited Claim Review | Determines Matrix Amount for qualified claimants under Appendix I methodology. |
| Extraordinary Claim Review | For qualifying malignant claims with extraordinary product-contact history, little/no other asbestos exposure and limited likelihood of substantial recovery elsewhere. |
| ADR / Arbitration | Available in circumstances specified by the CRP and ADR procedures. |
| Tort-system litigation | Permitted only under conditions and limitations set out in the CRP after required Trust procedures. |
Compensation is not guaranteed. Maximum Settlement Values are ceilings within the Trust’s matrix, not automatic awards.
⚖️ Garlock Bankruptcy & Historical Claim Evidence
Garlock’s bankruptcy generated one of the most extensively litigated asbestos estimation proceedings. In 2014, the Bankruptcy Court estimated $125 million as the amount sufficient for present and future mesothelioma liability for estimation purposes. That ruling was part of the bankruptcy process and should not be confused with the later consensual Trust funding or the current value of individual claims.
Key Bankruptcy Facts
| Issue | Verified Record |
|---|---|
| Reason for Chapter 11 | Tens of thousands of pending and expected future asbestos personal-injury claims. |
| Products described by court | Asbestos gaskets, sheet gasket material and packing. |
| Primary settings | Maritime, refinery and other industrial applications. |
| 2014 estimation | $125 million estimated aggregate present/future mesothelioma liability for bankruptcy-estimation purposes. |
| Consensual settlement | Reached in 2016 and implemented through confirmed Joint Plan. |
| Plan confirmation | June 12, 2017. |
| Plan effective | July 31, 2017. |
| Present/future asbestos liabilities | Assumed by Trust under Plan/channeling structure. |
Important Accuracy Distinctions
| Figure / Statement | Correct Interpretation |
|---|---|
| $125 million | 2014 bankruptcy estimation of aggregate present/future mesothelioma liability—not current Trust assets and not an individual-claim schedule. |
| Plan funding contributions | Verified historical contributions to establish/fund Trust—not current audited net assets. |
| Potential Maximum Values | Current Trust ceilings by disease/contact group—not guaranteed payments. |
| Medical Information Factor | One component of the matrix calculation—not a simple payment percentage. |
| Single “Garlock payment percentage” | Misleading; Trust uses a matrix rather than one universal percentage. |
| Current cumulative claims paid | Not stated here without current official audited confirmation. |
Claim Evidence Checklist
| Step | Question |
|---|---|
| 1 | Is the disease compensable under current CRP medical criteria? |
| 2 | Can the claimant identify a Garlock or qualifying Coltec asbestos product? |
| 3 | Where and when did product contact occur? |
| 4 | Was contact direct, bystander or secondary? |
| 5 | What hands-on activity disturbed the gasket, sheet material or packing? |
| 6 | Does the duration satisfy the applicable CRP requirement? |
| 7 | Which Contact Group applies? |
| 8 | What supporting medical, employment, Navy and witness records are available? |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Did Garlock manufacture asbestos-containing products?
Yes. Federal bankruptcy findings and SEC records document Garlock asbestos-containing industrial gaskets, sheet gasket material and packing.
How could Garlock gaskets release asbestos?
Many products were encapsulated. The bankruptcy court and current CRP identify grinding, scraping, wire brushing and cutting as activities capable of releasing asbestos fibers or dust.
When did Garlock file Chapter 11?
Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC, Anchor Packing and Garrison Litigation Management Group filed Chapter 11 on June 5, 2010 in the Western District of North Carolina.
Is the GST Settlement Facility currently operating?
Yes. The official Trust website provides current claims procedures, forms, notices and maximum-value information. The governing CRP posted by the Trust includes amendments through March 27, 2026.
What is the current Garlock Trust payment percentage?
The GST Settlement Facility does not use one universal payment percentage. It uses a matrix based on Maximum Settlement Values, Contact Groups and injured-party factors.
What is the maximum mesothelioma value?
The Trust’s current published potential maximum for mesothelioma ranges from $42,900 in Contact Groups 3–5 to $342,900 in Contact Group 1. These are maximum values, not guaranteed offers.
How much Garlock exposure is required?
Mesothelioma claimants must credibly establish qualifying Coltec/GST Product Contact but have no six-month minimum. Most non-mesothelioma claimants generally must establish at least six months total qualifying contact. Fifty qualifying days confined to a ship at sea are treated as six months under the current CRP.
What evidence can support a GST Settlement Facility claim?
Evidence may include medical/pathology records, Navy or employment records, product identification, plant or ship information, invoices, maintenance records and credible witness evidence describing qualifying contact with Garlock or Coltec asbestos products.
🧾 Garlock Sealing Technologies Summary
| Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Historical asbestos products | Gaskets, sheet gasket material and packing |
| Common settings | Maritime, refinery and industrial hot-fluid systems |
| Chapter 11 | June 5, 2010 |
| Plan confirmed | June 12, 2017 |
| Plan effective | July 31, 2017 |
| Trust | GST Settlement Facility |
| Claims administrator | Verus Claims Services |
| Current CRP | Second Amended and Restated CRP, amended through March 27, 2026 |
| Payment methodology | Matrix; no single universal payment percentage |
| Mesothelioma potential maximum | $342,900 Group 1; $102,900 Group 2; $42,900 Groups 3–5 |
| General non-mesothelioma exposure minimum | Six months total qualifying product contact, subject to CRP terms |
| Mesothelioma exposure minimum | Credible qualifying product contact; no six-month minimum |
| Guaranteed compensation | No |
📚 Confirmed Primary Sources for Garlock & Trust Facts
- GST Settlement Facility — official Trust website, current Resources and Notices pages.
- GST Settlement Facility — Second Amended and Restated Claims Resolution Procedures, with amendments through March 27, 2026.
- GST Settlement Facility — current Potential Maximum Values by Disease and Contact Group notice.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of North Carolina — In re Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC, 504 B.R. 71 (2014), aggregate-liability estimation findings and product history.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court / SEC-filed Modified Joint Plan of Reorganization — §524(g) channeling structure and Trust establishment.
- EnPro Industries SEC filings — June 5, 2010 Chapter 11 filing, consensual settlement, Plan confirmation/effective date and verified Trust funding contributions.
Submit Your Case
Call 800.291.0963
Live chat is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Submit Your Case
Exposure to industrial gaskets or packing does not automatically establish exposure to a qualifying Garlock or Coltec product, medical causation, Trust eligibility or compensation. Product identity, disease criteria, type and duration of contact, supporting evidence and the currently governing Claims Resolution Procedures must be evaluated individually. Compensation is not guaranteed.
⚕️ Legal & Medical Information Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information and is not legal or medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment and a qualified attorney about individual legal rights, Trust procedures and filing deadlines.