Workers at Abex in Portsmouth, Virginia may have been exposed to asbestos, and could develop lung diseases, including mesothelioma.
Many former workers at Abex plants have been diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers, and other serious diseases. The bulk of the cases have been proven to be caused by toxic work sites managed by negligent employers in the transportation industry.
Abex Corporation was a manufacturer of asbestos friction products, such as brake linings for trains and trucks. Abex went bankrupt in 2001 fighting asbestos lawsuits and reorganized to develop a trust fund to handle future claims.
The company allegedly put asbestos into its brake shoes, brake pads and brake linings until 1987. Some reports suggest Abex used asbestos in its hydraulic systems, fluid power parts, aircraft control systems and components for railcars.
In 2001, Abex filed for bankruptcy and reorganization because of litigation and liability. The reorganization plan required the company to establish an asbestos trust fund to process future asbestos claims.