Was Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale — asbestos documented in litigation?

Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale — 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 Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale — asbestos exposure?

Yes. Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis after exposure to Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale — 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.

Industrial-Furnaces

Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale Forklifts, Industrial Trucks, and Construction Equipment

⚖ Litigation RecordClark Equipment 1903-1995; Hyster 1929-present; Yale 1875-present; asbestos era through 1980sAsbestos brake linings on industrial-truck brake rigging; asbestos gaskets and packing on internal-combustion forklift engines; asbestos clutch facings; asbestos electrical insulation

Overview Product Facts Trades

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

Product Description

Clark Equipment Company (founded 1903, headquartered Buchanan MI; acquired by Ingersoll-Rand 1995), Hyster Company (founded 1929, headquartered Cleveland OH; today part of Hyster-Yale Group), and Yale Materials Handling Corporation (founded 1875 as the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company; today part of Hyster-Yale Group) manufactured through the 20th century the principal U.S. lines of forklifts, industrial trucks, warehouse trucks, and material-handling equipment used across U.S. warehouses, factories, ports, and construction sites.

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that Clark / Hyster / Yale industrial trucks and forklifts were specified through the asbestos era with:

Asbestos brake linings on industrial-truck front and rear brake rigging
Asbestos gaskets and packing on internal-combustion forklift engines (Continental, Waukesha, GM industrial engines)
Asbestos clutch facings on driveline components
Asbestos electrical insulation on forklift wiring harnesses

Industrial-truck operators, warehouse workers, forklift mechanics, and plant maintenance workers who serviced Clark / Hyster / Yale equipment — particularly brake and clutch replacement — disturbed asbestos as routine maintenance.

Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale has been named as a Manufacturer Defendant in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation.

Workers Exposed

Industrial-truck operators and warehouse workers operating Clark / Hyster / Yale forklifts
Forklift mechanics at dealer service, fleet-maintenance, and independent shops
Plant maintenance workers servicing in-house forklift fleets
Port and dock workers operating heavy-duty Clark / Hyster port forklifts

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If You Worked at Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale

If you or a family member worked at Clark Equipment / Hyster / Yale 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 NameClark Equipment / Hyster / Yale Forklifts, Industrial Trucks, and Construction Equipment

Years ProducedClark Equipment 1903-1995; Hyster 1929-present; Yale 1875-present; asbestos era through 1980s

Asbestos ContentAsbestos brake linings on industrial-truck brake rigging; asbestos gaskets and packing on internal-combustion forklift engines; asbestos clutch facings; asbestos electrical insulation

CategoryIndustrial-Furnaces Brake-Friction Gaskets

Trust FundNo active trust

Exposed Trades & Occupations

Industrial-truck operatorsWarehouse workersForklift mechanicsPlant maintenance workers

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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
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