When Pfizer acquired Quigley Co. in 1968, they were well aware that their new subsidiary manufactured products that contained asbestos, but that was before it was common knowledge that the mineral causes serious respiratory problems as well as cancer.
Hence, the New York-based drug maker tried to dodge a number of asbestos-related lawsuits forged against Quigley. Yesterday, however, the Supreme Court told Pfizer that they were liable for the claims, rejecting an appeal made by the pharmaceutical company after a New York federal appeals court also declared that they would allow lawsuits against them to go forward.
According to an article on Bloomberg.com, Quigley Co. declared bankruptcy and ceased most operations in 1992. Pfizer argued that Quigley’s bankruptcy should insulate them from suits that were filed under Pennsylvania state law by an attorney from the Baltimore area. This particular firm began suing Pfizer in 1999, claiming that they were responsible for Quigley Co.’s infractions.
In return, Pfizer also argued that they played absolutely no role in making or distributing the asbestos-containing products, which Quigley manufactured for the steel industry from the 1940s until the 1970s.
Records show that the Obama administration urged the Supreme Court to reject Pfizer’s appeal, further underlining his administration’s aim to crack down on companies that have compromised the health of their employees. Many individuals may have been sickened by exposure to asbestos at Quigley’s operations, including the company’s employees as well as those who worked in locations where the products were used.