Was Bell Aircraft Corporation — Historic Buffalo NY Aerospace (P-39, P-63, X-1, Bell 47 Helicopter) asbestos documented in litigation?

Bell Aircraft Corporation — Historic Buffalo NY Aerospace (P-39, P-63, X-1, Bell 47 Helicopter) is documented in public asbestos litigation records as a manufacturer whose products contained asbestos during the mid-twentieth century. Workers in industrial facilities, power plants, refineries, shipyards, and commercial construction who handled or worked near these products may have experienced occupational exposure.

Which trades had the most exposure?

Pipe coverers and insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, millwrights, and maintenance workers are among the trades most frequently documented in asbestos exposure claims. Workers who cut, fitted, or removed asbestos-containing products — and those working in close proximity during that work — typically had the highest fiber concentrations.

How long do workers have to file an asbestos claim?

Statutes of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims vary by state, typically ranging from one to five years from the date of an asbestos-related diagnosis. The clock generally starts at diagnosis, not exposure — mesothelioma can have a latency period of 20 to 50 years. An asbestos attorney can identify the deadlines that apply to your specific situation.

Can workers file claims related to Bell Aircraft Corporation — Historic Buffalo NY Aerospace (P-39, P-63, X-1, Bell 47 Helicopter) asbestos exposure?

Yes. Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis after exposure to Bell Aircraft Corporation — Historic Buffalo NY Aerospace (P-39, P-63, X-1, Bell 47 Helicopter) products may pursue claims through civil litigation. An experienced asbestos attorney can assess available defendants, applicable trust funds from co-defendants, and the states where claims can be filed most effectively.

Can family members file secondary exposure claims?

Spouses, children, and household members who developed asbestos-related disease through contact with contaminated work clothing brought home by an exposed worker may be eligible for secondary (household) exposure claims. Wrongful-death claims can also be filed by surviving family members of workers who died from asbestos-related disease.

Industrial-Furnaces

Historic Buffalo NY and Wheatfield NY airframe and helicopter plants that produced the P-39 Airacobra, P-63 Kingcobra, X-1 supersonic research aircraft, and Bell 47 helicopter and were allegedly built with asbestos-containing thermal insulation, gaskets, brake friction, and sprayed fireproofing

⚖ Litigation Record1935-1960 (Bell Aircraft); helicopter operations transferred to Bell Helicopter/TextronPlaintiffs alleged asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, heat-treat furnace linings, gaskets, packing, sprayed structural fireproofing, and aircraft brake and clutch friction at Bell Aircraft historic Buffalo NY, Wheatfield NY, and Marietta GA plants

Overview Product Facts Trades

Litigation Record: Information below reflects allegations in publicly filed asbestos litigation — plaintiff allegations, not findings of fact.

Premises Description

Bell Aircraft Corporation, headquartered historically in Buffalo NY with major production at Wheatfield NY (Niagara Falls) and postwar helicopter operations at Fort Worth TX (later Bell Helicopter/Textron), produced the P-39 Airacobra fighter, P-63 Kingcobra, XP-59 Airacomet (first American jet), X-1 supersonic research aircraft, and Bell 47 helicopter. Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that Bell Aircraft historic Buffalo-area plants and Marietta GA B-29 modification center were built and maintained with asbestos-containing thermal insulation, gaskets, packing, brake and clutch friction, and sprayed structural fireproofing.

Alleged asbestos-containing materials at Bell Aircraft plants included pipe covering and block insulation on plant steam and process piping; heat-treat furnace insulation and refractory linings in aluminum-airframe heat-treatment operations; sprayed fireproofing on structural steel and hangar overhead framing; gaskets and packing in plant utility systems; brake friction linings on overhead cranes, tugs, and industrial vehicles; and asbestos millboard, cloth, and tape used in engine-installation and firewall fabrication.

Product Description

Plaintiffs alleged that Bell Aircraft engine gaskets, firewall insulation, and brake and clutch friction linings on Bell 47 helicopter rotor systems contained chrysotile asbestos and released respirable fiber during maintenance, overhaul, and disassembly.

Workers Exposed

Aircraft assemblers, sheet-metal workers, machinists, pipefitters, insulators, electricians, millwrights, heat-treat operators, and maintenance workers at Bell Aircraft Buffalo NY and Wheatfield NY plants allegedly worked in and around asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing. Aviation and helicopter mechanics who serviced Bell 47 helicopters and Bell fixed-wing aircraft allegedly disturbed asbestos brake friction and engine gaskets.

If You Worked With Bell Aircraft Buffalo NY Products

If you or a family member worked at a Bell Aircraft plant, serviced Bell fixed-wing aircraft or Bell 47 helicopters, or handled Bell Aircraft brake friction and engine gaskets and later developed mesothelioma or lung cancer, you may have claims against Bell Aircraft successors and other alleged asbestos defendants.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

Product Facts

Trade NameHistoric Buffalo NY and Wheatfield NY airframe and helicopter plants that produced the P-39 Airacobra, P-63 Kingcobra, X-1 supersonic research aircraft, and Bell 47 helicopter and were allegedly built with asbestos-containing thermal insulation, gaskets, brake friction, and sprayed fireproofing

Years Produced1935-1960 (Bell Aircraft); helicopter operations transferred to Bell Helicopter/Textron

Asbestos ContentPlaintiffs alleged asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, heat-treat furnace linings, gaskets, packing, sprayed structural fireproofing, and aircraft brake and clutch friction at Bell Aircraft historic Buffalo NY, Wheatfield NY, and Marietta GA plants

CategoryIndustrial-Furnaces Gaskets Spray-Fireproofing Brake-Friction

Trust FundNo active trust

Exposed Trades & Occupations

Aircraft AssemblersSheet-Metal WorkersMachinistsPipefittersInsulatorsElectriciansMillwrights

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Were You Exposed to an Asbestos-Containing Product?

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and were exposed to asbestos-containing products, you and your family may be entitled to significant compensation through asbestos trust funds and civil litigation. An attorney experienced in product liability and asbestos claims can evaluate your case — at no cost to you.

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