Toxic Tort Litigation

SHRA conducts research into the use of asbestos in production and manufacturing during the 19th and 20th centuries. By examining industry best practices as well as corporate policies, safeguards, and industry knowledge, our historians can craft corporate or product histories to assist clients and the courts with a clear understanding of asbestos use. Potential records for research include:

  • Corporate archives;
  • Industry trade organization archives;
  • Trade journals;
  • National Archives collections such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

Select Past Projects

Asbestos

Client Confidential (2016- 2019)

SHRA was hired in the large laundry manufacturing equipment industry to determine the historic and evolving use of asbestos in certain machines from the late 19th century through the late 20th century. Corporate and product-level histories were produced for use in litigation.

Client Confidential (2019-present)
 
A large electrical equipment manufacturer retained SHRA to conduct research on the company’s safety program, knowledge and understanding of asbestos dangers, and evolving use and prohibition of asbestos in its products. Projects ongoing.
 

Lead

Minaya Allen v. American Cyanamid, et al. (Milwaukee, 2018-2021)

Defendants in this matter retained SHRA to provide historical research on the history of National Lead Corporation and its role in the white lead carbonate market. This involved research in repositories of documents related to the corporation as well as trade journal research, newspaper research, and research in the National Archives for records related to anti-trust actions by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Dr. Jennifer Stevens provided an expert report as well as deposition testimony that helped lead to a favorable ruling from the judge.