Garlock Appeals Judge's Decision to Hide Claimants Identity in Asbestos Cases

A producer of asbestos-containing products is fighting a judge's decision to hide the names of claimants in a dozen bankruptcy cases. Garlock Sealing Technologies, a subsidiary of EnPro Industries Inc., is appealing a bankruptcy judge's decision to keep anonymous the identities of thousands of asbestos claimants in 12 bankruptcy cases. The Charlotte-based company wants to make public the records of the tens of thousands of claimants and believes the plaintiffs are using their anonymity to receive more settlement incomes from other separate claims. Garlock makes compression packing, gaskets, hydraulic components, rubber expansion joints and mechanical and oil seals. Privacy is a Priority Judge Judith Fitzgerald cited a concern for "privacy of personal-health information" as a reason to keep the claimants' information private. Fitzgerald's ruling allows the lawyers of the claimants to file the names and claims off the public docket, which conceals the information from the public. The claimants are alleging asbestos exposure from Garlock's products caused injuries and health issues. Mesothelioma, a cancer that has no known cure and is diagnosed in more than 2,000 Americans each year, is known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. According to the judge's ruling, Garlock's attorneys cannot demonstrate how the claimants are blaming different defendants for being the cause of their health issues and injuries. Experts state that knowing the identities of the claimants can lower the ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Legislation, Laws & Litigation Source Type: news