Was Copeland Refrigeration Compressor — asbestos documented in litigation?

Copeland Refrigeration Compressor — 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 Copeland Refrigeration Compressor — asbestos exposure?

Yes. Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis after exposure to Copeland Refrigeration Compressor — 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.

Hvac-Equipment

Copeland Open-Drive Refrigeration Compressors with Asbestos Shaft Seals and Gaskets

⚖ Litigation Recordcirca 1930s through mid-1980sChrysotile asbestos-fiber compression packing at the crankshaft seal on open-drive Copeland compressors; asbestos head, base, and valve-plate gasketing allegedly used on certain models

Overview Product Facts Trades

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

Product Description

Copeland Corporation, headquartered historically in Sidney, Ohio and long identified with the Copelametic line of refrigeration and air-conditioning compressors, supplied compressors installed in supermarket refrigeration racks, cold-storage warehouses, ice plants, food-processing plants, industrial process chillers, and commercial HVAC systems throughout the United States. Copeland’s open-drive reciprocating compressor lines used a rotating crankshaft that penetrated the compressor housing at a shaft seal.

According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, Copeland open-drive compressors were allegedly furnished originally with asbestos-fiber compression packing at the crankshaft shaft-seal stuffing box. Head gaskets, base gaskets, and valve-plate gaskets on certain models allegedly incorporated asbestos as well. Because these compressors ran continuously and required regular seal service and valve-plate rebuilds, the asbestos components were allegedly disturbed during every teardown.

Workers Exposed

Refrigeration mechanics and commercial HVAC technicians allegedly serviced Copeland compressors throughout their careers. Repacking a Copeland shaft seal required breaking down the stuffing box and installing fresh cut packing rings — a task that allegedly generated airborne asbestos fibers. Head and valve-plate teardowns to service reed valves allegedly required scraping old asbestos gasket material off the mating surfaces, again allegedly releasing fibers.

Plant maintenance mechanics at food-processing plants, cold-storage warehouses, ice plants, and industrial facilities using Copeland process chillers allegedly performed these same tasks. Pipefitters connecting suction and discharge lines allegedly worked adjacent to teardown operations. Litigation records allege Copeland knew of the hazard and failed to warn.

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If You Worked at Copeland Refrigeration Compressor

If you or a family member worked at Copeland Refrigeration Compressor and were exposed to asbestos-containing materials at this facility — and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease — you may be entitled to significant compensation. Time-sensitive filing deadlines apply.

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Product Facts

Trade NameCopeland Open-Drive Refrigeration Compressors with Asbestos Shaft Seals and Gaskets

Years Producedcirca 1930s through mid-1980s

Asbestos ContentChrysotile asbestos-fiber compression packing at the crankshaft seal on open-drive Copeland compressors; asbestos head, base, and valve-plate gasketing allegedly used on certain models

CategoryHvac-Equipment Gaskets-Packing

Trust FundNo active trust

Exposed Trades & Occupations

Refrigeration mechanicsHVAC techniciansPlant maintenance mechanicsPipefitters (UA)

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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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No attorney fee unless we make a financial recovery
Statutes of limitations may limit the time you have to act
Trust fund claims, civil lawsuits, and VA benefits pursued simultaneously

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Asbestos Product Liability & Mesothelioma Claims

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