Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings — Asbestos Exposure Risk
Last verified: March 14, 2026Product Overview
Raybestos-Manhattan was one of the original and largest manufacturers of asbestos friction products in the United States. The company's factory in Stratford, Connecticut, and the surrounding community were severely contaminated with asbestos. The "Raybestos memo" — an internal document showing the company knew about asbestos dangers since the 1930s — became pivotal evidence in asbestos litigation.
Common Uses
- Automotive brake linings
- Industrial brake linings
- Clutch facings
Industries Affected
- Automotive repair
- Industrial equipment
- Heavy machinery
- Railroad
Manufacturer
Raybestos-Manhattan Inc. (now Raymark Industries)
Produced this product from approximately 1920s–1990s using chrysotile asbestos.
Asbestos Type
Chrysotile
Chrysotile (white asbestos) is the most commonly used form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of asbestos in buildings worldwide.
Applicable Trust Fund
Raymark Industries Asbestos Trust
Were You Exposed to Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings?
If you or a family member worked with this product and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case at no cost.
Your Legal Rights
Workers and family members who were exposed to Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings and subsequently developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related conditions may have several legal options available:
- Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — If the manufacturer established a bankruptcy trust, eligible claimants can file for compensation without going to court.
- Mesothelioma Lawsuits — Personal injury lawsuits can be filed against manufacturers and other responsible parties to seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Wrongful Death Claims — Family members of individuals who died from asbestos-related diseases may file wrongful death claims.
- Veterans Benefits — Military veterans exposed to asbestos products during service may qualify for VA disability benefits and healthcare.
Statutes of limitations restrict the time you have to file a claim. It is important to consult with an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings contain asbestos?
Yes. Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings, manufactured by Raybestos-Manhattan Inc. (now Raymark Industries), contained chrysotile asbestos. The product was produced from approximately 1920s–1990s and was used in automotive brake linings, industrial brake linings, clutch facings. Workers who manufactured, installed, maintained, or removed this product may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
Can I file a claim for Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings exposure?
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease after exposure to Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings, you may be eligible to file a legal claim. The Raymark Industries Asbestos Trust may provide compensation for eligible claimants. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can evaluate your exposure history and determine your legal options at no cost. Contact Danziger & De Llano at 1-800-400-1805 for a free case review.
The company that made this no longer exists. Who actually pays?
The liability did not disappear with the company. Raybestos-Manhattan Inc. (now Raymark Industries) is connected to the Raymark Industries Asbestos Trust, a fund set aside during bankruptcy specifically to pay asbestos claims. Claims are filed against the trust rather than against a trading business, which is why a product discontinued decades ago can still support a claim today. Successor companies and their insurers can also remain liable separately from the trust.
I used this product but have no receipts or records. Does that end it?
No. Nobody keeps receipts for brake parts or gaskets bought forty years ago, and claims are not decided on them. What carries weight is your own account of where you worked, when, and what you handled — supported by a Social Security earnings statement, which lists every employer you had by year and can be requested directly, plus union records or a DD-214 for military service. Write down what you remember before looking anything up.
My father or husband worked with this and has since died. Can the family still file?
Yes. A wrongful death claim can be brought by the estate or by eligible family members, and it is a separate route from the claim the person would have brought themselves. It also runs on a different clock — the deadline generally starts at the date of death rather than the date of diagnosis, so families are sometimes still in time when they assume they are not. Deadlines are set by each state, so confirm the one that applies to yours.
I never handled it myself, but someone in my house did. Could I have been exposed?
Possibly. Asbestos fibres travelled home on work clothes, in hair and in vehicles, and household members were exposed while washing laundry or greeting someone at the end of a shift. This is called secondhand or take-home exposure and it is a recognised basis for a claim in its own right, not an exception.
Recognise this product? Write down what you remember
You do not need a diagnosis, a lawyer, or a decision to do this — and it is worth doing while you still remember clearly. Write it in your own words, before you read anything else:
- Where you used or handled it — employer, job site, or your own garage
- Roughly which years, and how often
- What the packaging or the part looked like, and what you called it at the time
- Who else was there — anyone who could confirm it later
- Whether dust was involved — grinding, sanding, cutting, or blowing parts out with an airline
Write what you actually recall rather than what you can look up. Details you produce yourself are what hold up years later; details taken from a website do not. If you are doing this for a relative who has died, write down what you remember too, including work clothes brought home to be washed.
Related Brakes & Clutches Products
This product profile is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Product formulations varied over time, and not all units of a product necessarily contained asbestos. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this information. Always consult with a qualified mesothelioma attorney and medical professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Get a Free Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings Exposure Case Review
If you or a loved one was exposed to Raybestos-Manhattan Brake Linings and diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our attorneys can help you understand your legal options at no cost or obligation.
Or call us 24/7: 1-800-400-1805