🔥 Cleaver-Brooks Company – Asbestos Exposure from Boilers and HVAC Systems

Cleaver-Brooks, a major manufacturer of boilers and commercial heating systems, extensively used asbestos-containing materials in its equipment from the 1940s through the late 1980s. These products were lined with asbestos insulation to handle high temperatures, unintentionally putting mechanics, boiler technicians, and repair crews at serious risk of asbestos exposure.

🏭 Company Overview

• Founded: 1929

• Headquarters: Thomasville, Georgia

• Specialty: Boilers, burners, HVAC systems

• Still in Business? ✅ Yes

• Asbestos Trust Fund: ❌ No trust fund established

• Parent Company: Acquired by multiple firms over the years; now under Cleaver-Brooks, Inc.

🧱 Use of Asbestos in Cleaver-Brooks Products

Cleaver-Brooks integrated asbestos in high-heat applications due to its fireproofing qualities. Common asbestos-containing components included:

• 🔥 Boiler insulation (wraps, blankets, panels)

• 🧩 Gaskets and seals

• 🛠️ HVAC ducting and joints

• 🔧 Packing materials around burners and valves

These components released dangerous fibers when disturbed during installation, maintenance, or repair, often in poorly ventilated environments.

👷 Workers at Risk

Asbestos exposure was especially high for workers who:

• 🔧 Installed or maintained Cleaver-Brooks boilers

• 🏭 Operated mechanical rooms or industrial HVAC systems

• 🧰 Removed or repaired gaskets and refractory lining

• 🚛 Transported or unpacked asbestos-insulated parts

• 🧹 Cleaned up insulation debris after repairs

Common occupations exposed included:

• 📦 Maintenance technicians

• 🛠️ Boiler operators

• 🔩 Industrial mechanics

• 🏗️ Plant engineers

• 🧱 HVAC installers

⚖️ Asbestos Lawsuits Against Cleaver-Brooks

Cleaver-Brooks has faced numerous asbestos-related lawsuits filed by:

• Workers in schools, hospitals, and factories

• Navy veterans and ship mechanics

• Power plant operators and municipal workers

Though the company has not filed for bankruptcy or created a dedicated trust fund, many cases have been resolved via settlement, particularly when co-defendants like insulation suppliers were involved.

Notable Legal Outcome:

• Cleaver-Brooks was a named defendant in a 2015 $3.5 million mesothelioma verdict involving a former boiler technician exposed to asbestos during routine servicing.

📊 Estimated Exposure Totals

👷 Employees and Contractors

➡️ Estimated Employee/Contractor Exposure: 50,000+

🌎 External Exposure from Installed Products

➡️ Estimated Product-Based Exposure: 60,000+

🪖 Military Connections

Cleaver-Brooks boilers were installed in U.S. Navy ships and military facilities, placing:

• 🛳️ Engine room staff

• 🧰 Boiler maintenance crews

• 🪖 Base HVAC workers

at significant risk of asbestos exposure. Many veterans have cited Cleaver-Brooks in claims filed with the VA or in civil court.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

⚖️ Can I still sue Cleaver-Brooks?

✅ Yes. If you were exposed to Cleaver-Brooks boilers or HVAC units and later developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

🧾 What do I need to prove?

• Medical diagnosis confirming asbestos-related illness

• History of work involving Cleaver-Brooks systems

• Witness statements or facility records

📅 What’s the time limit?

Each state has a statute of limitations, usually 2–3 years from diagnosis. It’s best to act quickly.

🧾 Chronological List of Asbestos Products by Cleaver-Brooks

📌 Cleaver-Brooks Asbestos Summary