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South Carolina Court Finds ESAB and Altrad Entities Are Responsible in Landmark Cape Asbestos Litigation

ESAB
  • A South Carolina trial court ruled that ESAB Corp. & the France-based Altrad Group are liable for historical asbestos operations conducted by Cape Asbestos Co. Ltd.
  • The Sept. 14 ruling confirms the companies are responsible for cancer-causing asbestos imported & distributed throughout the United States for decades.
  • The lawsuit was filed by John A. Tibbs & his wife seeking accountability for raw asbestos sales that caused Mr. Tibbs' cancer.
  • Attorney Trey Branham stated the decision allows thousands of claimants to recover damages from the corporate conglomerate responsible for poisoning generations of workers.
  • Separate judgments against Cape include one for $38 million for client Jerry Ross & his family, with enforcement against the newly identified responsible parties intended to begin immediately.
  • ESAB is the ultimate corporate parent of entities controlling Cape's asbestos business & distribution into the U.S.
  • The Altrad Group acquired Cape in 2017, & the court determined Altrad Investment Authority S.A.S. & its chairman Mohed Altrad are responsible for Cape's conduct & liabilities.
  • Great Britain-based Cape supplied over 95% of commonly used industrial asbestos imported into the U.S. during the 20th century for use in industrial facilities, manufacturing, & naval vessels.
  • The case is identified as Tibbs v. 3M Company, et al., Case No. 2023-CP-40-01759, in the Court of Common Pleas for Richland County, South Carolina.