Pratt & Whitney Asbestos Exposure — East Hartford, Connecticut
Introduction
Pratt & Whitney's East Hartford facility has been one of Connecticut's largest employers since 1925 — and for generations, Hartford County families built their lives around it. What those families were not told was that the manufacturing environment they worked in daily was saturated with asbestos — in the pipe insulation overhead, in the boilers and furnaces, and in the engine components themselves. Learn more about what mesothelioma is and how asbestos exposure causes it decades later.
At peak production during World War II, Pratt & Whitney expanded from 3,000 to 40,000 employees, manufacturing over 300,000 aircraft engines. At least 17 asbestos bankruptcy trusts list one or more Pratt & Whitney locations as known exposure sites.
If you or a family member worked at Pratt & Whitney, contact our mesothelioma attorneys today. Founding partner Edward Jazlowiecki holds a degree in Chemical Engineering — he understands the specific asbestos products used in jet engine manufacturing and the exposure conditions at the East Hartford plant at a level that most attorneys do not.
Pratt & Whitney — History and Background
- •1925 — Founded as aviation engine manufacturer in East Hartford
- •World War II — Manufactured over 300,000 aircraft engines; workforce grew from 3,000 to 40,000
- •1930s–1960s — Produced the R-2800 Double Wasp, the principal WWII American fighter and bomber engine
- •Cold War era — Primary military jet engine supplier
- •Additional CT facilities — CANEL in Middletown, plus plants in North Haven and Southington
- •Today — A division of RTX Corporation, still headquartered in East Hartford
How Were Workers Exposed to Asbestos at Pratt & Whitney?
Asbestos in the Building Infrastructure
- •Pipe insulation — overhead pipes throughout the plant insulated with asbestos lagging
- •Boiler insulation — plant boilers insulated with asbestos refractory products
- •Furnace insulation — heat-treating furnaces lined with asbestos insulation
- •Floor and ceiling tiles — many containing asbestos, releasing fibers when disturbed
Asbestos in Aircraft Engine Components
- •Engine gaskets and seals — asbestos gaskets throughout engine assembly
- •Heat shields — asbestos-containing shields fitted to engine components
- •Engine wiring — asbestos-insulated wiring throughout engine assemblies
- •Pistons and piston rings — asbestos-containing components in earlier designs
- •Brake components — asbestos brake materials in aircraft systems
Jobs with Highest Asbestos Exposure at Pratt & Whitney
- •Machinists — worked with engine components containing asbestos gaskets
- •Assembly workers — built engines containing asbestos components
- •Heat-treating workers — worked in and around asbestos-insulated furnaces
- •Maintenance workers and tradespeople — worked around asbestos-insulated building systems
- •Boilermakers — serviced asbestos-insulated boilers directly
- •Contractors and subcontractors — disturbed aged asbestos during facility renovation
Asbestos Trust Funds for Pratt & Whitney Workers
At least 17 asbestos bankruptcy trusts list Pratt & Whitney facilities as known exposure sites — including insulation manufacturers, gasket and packing manufacturers, and refractory companies. Workers may be eligible to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously. Trust fund claims are independent of civil litigation and VA benefits.
Why Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC?
Our Bristol office is approximately 8 miles from the Pratt & Whitney East Hartford facility. Founding partner Edward Jazlowiecki holds a Chemical Engineering degree. We understand how jet engines were manufactured, what asbestos products were used, and how workers in different roles were exposed. We handle mesothelioma cases on contingency — no fee unless we win. View our results.
Frequently Asked Questions
I worked at Pratt & Whitney in the 1960s and have just been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Is it too late?+−
No. Connecticut's statute of limitations runs three years from the date of diagnosis, not from the date of exposure. Workers exposed 40 or 50 years ago are filing valid claims today.
I worked in the office at Pratt & Whitney — I didn't work directly on the engines. Can I still have a claim?+−
Possibly. The building infrastructure — pipe insulation, boiler insulation, furnace insulation — meant that anyone spending significant time in the plant was potentially exposed to ambient asbestos dust. Your specific work areas and duration will determine your exposure level.
My spouse worked at Pratt & Whitney and I developed mesothelioma. Can I claim?+−
Yes. Secondary asbestos exposure — where a family member brought asbestos fibers home on work clothing — is a recognised cause of mesothelioma in Connecticut courts.
Contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC — Free Case Evaluation
If you or a family member worked at Pratt & Whitney and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Visit our mesothelioma lawyers page to learn more, or submit a free case evaluation online.
Call: (860) 589-8000 — available 24/7
Email: Info@Jazlowiecki.com
No fee unless we win. Connecticut statute of limitations: 3 years from date of diagnosis.