Leslie Controls Inc. Asbestos Exposure: Navy Valves & Trust Claims

Leslie Controls, Inc. manufactured pressure-reducing and control valves used in U.S. Navy and commercial steam systems. Published California appellate records document that Leslie valves historically incorporated asbestos-containing internal gaskets and packing purchased from outside suppliers, and that Leslie also sold asbestos-containing replacement gaskets and packing. Navy specifications required asbestos in certain valve components, making sailors, shipyard workers and maintenance trades important exposure groups in historical Leslie Controls claims.

Leslie Controls filed Chapter 11 on July 12, 2010 to resolve asbestos liabilities and emerged on April 28, 2011 after funding the Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust. The Trust began accepting claims March 1, 2012. Its official July 2025 notice increased the Payment Percentage from 5% to 6.25%, and the official Trust site continues to display 6.25%. The governing TDP publishes separate disease values for Powerhouse/Below-Deck Naval Station claims and Construction/Maintenance claims.

🏢 Leslie Controls History

Leslie Controls became a significant manufacturer of steam-control equipment. In Merrill v. Leslie Controls, Inc., the California Court of Appeal described Leslie as a Tampa, Florida company that manufactured pressure-reducing valves with internal asbestos-containing gaskets from the early 1900s into the 1980s. The company introduced control valves in the 1940s, and control valves intended for steam applications contained one or two internal asbestos-containing gaskets. Leslie sold such valves to the U.S. Navy for installation aboard naval vessels.

Company Facts at a Glance

Topic	Verified Information
Business	Steam-control valves, pressure-reducing valves and related fluid-control equipment.
Historical location	Tampa, Florida.
Historical asbestos components	Internal gaskets, packing and certain other components purchased from outside suppliers.
Major customer	U.S. government / U.S. Navy, plus commercial customers.
Chapter 11 filing	July 12, 2010.
Emergence	April 28, 2011.
Trust	Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust.
Claims accepted beginning	March 1, 2012.
Current official Payment Percentage	6.25% as displayed by the Trust following its July 2025 increase.

Navy Steam-System Role

Equipment / Function	Historical Relevance
Pressure-reducing valves	Controlled steam pressure and historically incorporated internal asbestos-containing gaskets.
Control valves	Steam-service valves could contain asbestos gaskets.
Internal packing	Sealed moving valve stems and required maintenance/replacement.
Flanged connections	External flange gaskets could be used between valve and piping, although supplier identity could differ.
External insulation	Navy steam valves were commonly insulated, but Leslie did not necessarily supply the insulation.

See Industrial Equipment Manufacturers & Asbestos Exposure.

⚙️ Leslie Controls Valves, Gaskets & Packing

Merrill provides detailed product evidence. Leslie purchased chrysotile asbestos-containing internal gaskets and packing from outside vendors, installed those components in valves and pressure regulators, and sold asbestos-containing internal gaskets and packing as replacement parts. The court also documented that military specifications required asbestos in certain components. The case carefully distinguished Leslie-supplied internal components from external flange gaskets and insulation supplied by others.

Historical Asbestos Component Evidence

Component	Documented Status
Internal valve gaskets	Asbestos-containing components installed in historical Leslie valves; Leslie purchased rather than manufactured the gaskets.
Valve-stem packing	Historical asbestos-containing packing used in Leslie equipment and sold as replacement material.
Replacement internal gaskets	Leslie sold asbestos-containing replacement gaskets, although claimant-specific supplier proof can still matter.
External flange gaskets	Could contain asbestos, but Merrill distinguished materials Leslie did not supply from Leslie’s own distributed components.
External valve insulation	Leslie knew steam valves would be insulated, but did not provide the insulation at issue in Merrill.
Whistles	Published appellate record identifies asbestos in certain Leslie products including whistles.

Product Accuracy Table

Claim	Accurate Treatment
Leslie valves historically contained asbestos components	Confirmed in published appellate litigation.
Leslie manufactured the asbestos gasket/packing material itself	No. The court states Leslie purchased those materials from outside vendors.
Leslie placed asbestos components into products it sold	Yes, documented for historical internal gaskets and packing.
Leslie sold replacement asbestos gaskets and packing	Yes, documented in Merrill.
Every historical Leslie valve contained asbestos	Not claimed; valve type, service and date matter.
Every external flange gasket or insulation product was supplied by Leslie	No. Supplier identification is important.

⚓ Navy & Industrial Workers Potentially Exposed

Leslie valves were used in steam systems where maintenance required opening valves, removing packing, scraping gaskets and working around insulated piping. Navy engine-room and below-deck personnel are particularly important because the official Trust TDP creates a separate valuation category for Powerhouse and Below-Deck Naval Station Claims.

Potentially Exposed Worker Groups

Worker Group	Potential Historical Activity
Navy machinist’s mates	Disassembling valves, removing packing and gaskets, cleaning and repacking equipment.
Shipyard mechanics	Valve overhaul during repair and modernization.
Pipefitters / steamfitters	Removing valves, flange gaskets and connected steam piping.
Boilermakers	Working around steam systems, valves and insulation.
Powerhouse workers	Maintaining steam-control valves and high-temperature systems.
Industrial maintenance mechanics	Replacing valve packing, internal gaskets and seals.
Insulators	Removing/replacing thermal insulation around steam valves and piping.
Nearby trades	Potential bystander exposure during dusty valve and insulation maintenance.

Relevant Exposure Settings

Setting	Historical Relevance
U.S. Navy ships	Leslie sold steam-control valves to the Navy under military specifications.
Naval shipyards	Valve overhaul could involve packing, gaskets and insulation.
Below-deck naval stations	Explicitly recognized as a Trust claim category.
Powerhouses	Explicitly recognized as a higher-value Trust claim category.
Industrial plants	Commercial steam systems used valves requiring periodic maintenance.
Construction / maintenance sites	Separate Trust valuation category for qualifying construction and maintenance claims.

See U.S. Navy Asbestos Exposure, High-Risk Jobs Asbestos Exposure and Job Site Asbestos Exposure.

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🔧 How Historical Leslie Controls Exposure Occurred

Valve maintenance could disturb asbestos-containing materials directly. In Merrill, the Navy worker described pulling old packing from Leslie valves with a packing puller, cleaning debris, cutting new packing, and removing internal gaskets. The record also describes shipboard maintenance involving removal of amosite insulation around valves. Liability for any particular exposure depends on who manufactured or supplied the material and the governing law.

Potential Exposure Activities

Task	Potential Historical Exposure Mechanism
Pulling valve packing	Could release fibers from aged asbestos-containing packing.
Cutting replacement packing	Could generate fibers when asbestos packing was used.
Removing internal gaskets	Could disturb asbestos-containing gasket material.
Cleaning valve interiors	Could re-suspend debris left from deteriorated gaskets and packing.
Removing flange gaskets	Could generate dust where third-party asbestos gaskets were installed.
Removing insulation	Could disturb asbestos thermal insulation installed around steam valves and piping.
Overhaul cleanup	Sweeping or air cleaning could redistribute settled dust.

Asbestos-Related Conditions

Condition	Trust / Medical Context
Mesothelioma	Disease Level VII under the Leslie Trust TDP.
Lung Cancer 1	Disease Level VI with specified medical/exposure criteria.
Lung Cancer 2	Disease Level V; Individual Review required.
Other Cancer	Disease Level IV for specified qualifying cancers and criteria.
Severe Asbestosis	Disease Level III.
Asbestosis/Pleural Disease	Disease Levels I and II.

⚖️ Leslie Controls Bankruptcy & Asbestos PI Trust

Leslie Controls filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition on July 12, 2010 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware together with a pre-negotiated reorganization plan. The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the amended plan on October 28, 2010. On February 7, 2011, the U.S. District Court approved the §524(g) trust aspects and affirmed the revised confirmation order. Leslie and CIRCOR funded the Trust on April 28, 2011, and Leslie emerged from bankruptcy with current and future asbestos claims permanently channeled to the Trust.

Bankruptcy & Trust Timeline

Date	Verified Event
July 12, 2010	Leslie Controls filed Chapter 11 and its pre-negotiated reorganization plan.
October 28, 2010	Bankruptcy Court confirmed the amended plan.
February 7, 2011	District Court approved the §524(g) Trust aspects and affirmed the revised confirmation order.
April 28, 2011	Trust funded; Leslie emerged from Chapter 11.
March 1, 2012	Trust began accepting claims.
September 1, 2012	Initial Claim Filing Date.
July 2025	Trust increased Payment Percentage from 5% to 6.25%.

Trust Funding & Historical Claim Facts

Item	Verified Information
Trust	Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust.
Initial funding	$76.625 million on the April 28, 2011 Effective Date.
CIRCOR cash component	$74 million.
Continental settlement proceeds	$2.625 million.
Additional note	CIRCOR SEC disclosures also describe a $1 million Leslie promissory note under the reorganization.
Active unresolved claims at bankruptcy filing	Approximately 1,340, according to CIRCOR’s 2011 SEC filing.
Initial Payment Percentage	40% under the original Trust structure.
May 20, 2014 adjustment	Reduced from 40% to 5%.
July 2025 adjustment	Increased from 5% to 6.25%.
Current official percentage displayed	6.25%.

💰 Leslie Trust Values & Current 6.25% Payment Percentage

The Trust’s amended TDP uses two separate value schedules: Powerhouse and Below-Deck Naval Station Claims and Construction and Maintenance Claims. Expedited Review claims that meet the applicable criteria are liquidated at the Scheduled Value and then paid subject to the Payment Percentage in effect when payment is made. The current official percentage displayed by the Trust is 6.25%. Lung Cancer 2 requires Individual Review.

Powerhouse & Below-Deck Naval Station Claims

Disease	Scheduled Value	Average IR Value	Maximum IR Value	6.25% Scheduled Illustration
Mesothelioma (VII)	$100,000	$140,000	$350,000	$6,250
Lung Cancer 1 (VI)	$25,000	$35,000	$125,000	$1,562.50
Lung Cancer 2 (V)	Individual Review	$18,000	$22,000	Not applicable
Other Cancer (IV)	$15,000	$17,500	$25,500	$937.50
Severe Asbestosis (III)	$17,500	$20,000	$30,000	$1,093.75
Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (II)	$4,500	$4,500	$4,500	$281.25
Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (I)	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$93.75

Construction & Maintenance Claims

Disease	Scheduled Value	Average IR Value	Maximum IR Value	6.25% Scheduled Illustration
Mesothelioma (VII)	$25,000	$30,000	$125,000	$1,562.50
Lung Cancer 1 (VI)	$7,500	$10,000	$37,500	$468.75
Lung Cancer 2 (V)	Individual Review	$5,000	$10,000	Not applicable
Other Cancer (IV)	$5,000	See governing TDP	See governing TDP	$312.50
Severe Asbestosis (III)	$6,000	See governing TDP	See governing TDP	$375
Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (II)	$1,250	See governing TDP	See governing TDP	$78.13
Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (I)	$500	See governing TDP	See governing TDP	$31.25

These are mathematical illustrations, not guaranteed payments. The Trust determines the applicable claim category, disease level, review route and liquidated value. Payment remains subject to the governing TDP, Payment Percentage, Maximum Annual Payment and Claims Payment Ratio limitations.

📋 Leslie Trust Claim Requirements & Exposure Evidence

The TDP defines Leslie Controls Exposure as meaningful and credible exposure before December 31, 1986 to an asbestos-containing product sold, distributed, marketed, handled, processed or manufactured by Leslie Controls, or other qualifying conduct for which Leslie has legal responsibility. Exposure can be established through sworn personal-knowledge statements, coworker or qualifying family-member statements, invoices, employment or construction records, or other credible evidence.

Selected Exposure Requirements

Requirement	Official TDP Standard
General Leslie Controls Exposure	Meaningful and credible qualifying exposure before December 31, 1986.
Mesothelioma	Diagnosis plus Leslie Controls Exposure; see governing TDP for complete requirements.
Lung Cancer 1	Includes six months Leslie Controls Exposure before Dec. 31, 1986 plus Significant Occupational Exposure and medical criteria.
Lung Cancer 2	Primary lung cancer, qualifying Leslie Controls Exposure before Dec. 31, 1986 and supporting medical documentation; Individual Review.
Other Cancer / Severe Asbestosis / Level II	Generally includes six months qualifying Leslie Controls Exposure before Dec. 31, 1986 plus Significant Occupational Exposure and disease-specific criteria.
Level I	Includes six months Leslie Controls Exposure before Dec. 31, 1986 plus five years cumulative occupational asbestos exposure.
Significant Occupational Exposure	Generally five cumulative years in qualifying asbestos work, including at least two years before Dec. 31, 1986.

Evidence That May Support a Claim

Medical documentation establishing the claimed asbestos-related disease.
Navy service, ship assignment and rate/rating records.
Ship machinery and valve-equipment records.
Leslie Controls valve nameplates, model information, manuals and drawings.
Employment, union or Social Security records.
Invoices, construction records or maintenance records.
Claimant affidavits or sworn personal-knowledge statements.
Coworker or shipmate affidavits.
Qualifying family-member statements for deceased claimants where accepted.
Evidence identifying work with Leslie gaskets, packing or other asbestos-containing components.

Compensation is not guaranteed. Trust eligibility and payment depend on the currently governing TDP, medical evidence, exposure proof, claim category, filing deadlines and Trust review.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Did Leslie Controls valves contain asbestos?

Yes, published California appellate records document historical Leslie pressure-reducing and control valves containing asbestos-containing internal gaskets and packing. The components were purchased from outside suppliers rather than manufactured by Leslie itself.

Were Leslie Controls valves used on U.S. Navy ships?

Yes. Published litigation documents Leslie steam-control valves sold to the U.S. Navy, including valves manufactured to military specifications requiring asbestos-containing components.

When did Leslie Controls file Chapter 11?

Leslie Controls filed Chapter 11 on July 12, 2010 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

When was the Leslie Controls Asbestos Trust funded?

The Trust was funded on April 28, 2011, when Leslie emerged from Chapter 11. It began accepting claims on March 1, 2012.

What is the current Leslie Controls Trust Payment Percentage?

The official Trust increased the Payment Percentage from 5% to 6.25% effective with the July 2025 payment of claims. The Trust website currently displays 6.25%.

What is the Leslie Trust mesothelioma Scheduled Value?

The TDP publishes a $100,000 Scheduled Value for qualifying Powerhouse and Below-Deck Naval Station mesothelioma claims and $25,000 for qualifying Construction and Maintenance mesothelioma claims. At 6.25%, simple mathematical illustrations are $6,250 and $1,562.50 respectively, subject to all Trust rules.

What exposure date does the Leslie Trust use?

The TDP generally requires meaningful and credible Leslie Controls Exposure before December 31, 1986, with additional duration and occupational-exposure requirements for several disease levels.

What evidence may establish Leslie Controls exposure?

The TDP permits credible evidence including claimant, coworker or qualifying family-member sworn statements, invoices, employment records, construction records and other reliable evidence. Medical documentation is also required according to the claimed disease level.

🧾 Leslie Controls Summary

Detail	Confirmed Information
Historical products	Pressure-reducing valves, control valves and steam-system equipment
Documented asbestos components	Internal gaskets and packing; certain other products/components
Major exposure group	U.S. Navy and shipyard workers, plus powerhouse and industrial maintenance workers
Chapter 11	July 12, 2010
Trust effective/funded	April 28, 2011
Claims accepted beginning	March 1, 2012
Initial Trust funding	$76.625 million, plus reorganization-related $1 million promissory note described in SEC filings
Current official Payment Percentage	6.25%
Payment Percentage effective	July 2025 claim payments
Trust valuation categories	Powerhouse/Below-Deck Naval Station and Construction/Maintenance
General exposure cutoff	Before December 31, 1986 under TDP criteria
Guaranteed compensation	No

📚 Confirmed Primary & Court Sources

Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust — official website confirming the Trust’s purpose, March 1, 2012 claims opening and current 6.25% Payment Percentage.
Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust — July 2025 official Payment Percentage notice increasing the percentage from 5% to 6.25%.
Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust — amended Trust Distribution Procedures publishing disease values, exposure criteria and Individual Review rules.
Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust — official 2025 audited-financial-statement filing listed on the Trust resources page.
CIRCOR International SEC filings — documenting Leslie’s July 12, 2010 Chapter 11 filing, confirmation, April 28, 2011 Trust funding, emergence and historical funding.
California Court of Appeal — Merrill v. Leslie Controls, Inc. (2009), documenting historical Leslie Navy valves, asbestos-containing internal gaskets and packing, replacement components, maintenance practices and third-party insulation distinctions.

Submit Your Case

Call 800.291.0963
Live chat is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Submit Your Case

Working around a Leslie Controls valve does not automatically establish asbestos exposure, disease causation, Trust eligibility or compensation. The equipment, asbestos-containing component, supplier, exposure date, work activity, medical evidence and currently governing Trust requirements 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 eligibility and filing deadlines.