Oct. 31 is the deadline for schools to file a special property-damage claim form against the Manville Corporation,which is currently undergoing reorganization in bankruptcy court.
Schools officials should file a property-damage claim if they have incurred or expect to incur any costs for asbestos inspection, consultation, testing, relocation, abatement, or replacement, according to lawyers dealing with school claims against the company. Because Manville is a major supplier of asbestos products in all forms, the lawyers advise that claims be filed even if there is no evidence at this time that the Manville Corporation was directly involved.
Completed forms must be received, not merely postmarked, by Oct. 31. Forms should be sent to the United Merchants Information Service, Inc., P.O. Box 368, Teaneck, N.J. 07666.
Schools that fail to file a claim by this date will “be forever barred from asserting such claim against the debtors,” according to the federal bankruptcy court that is handling the Manville case.
Schools may obtain the form from the Manville Corporation, P.O. Box 17310, Denver, Col. 80217, or the Creditors Committee for Asbestos-Related Property Damage School Claimants, P.O. Box 1832, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10163, or by calling (800) 445-4000.
Schools should specifically request the proof-of-claim form for a property-damage claim.
Questions or problems should be addressed to the Creditors Committee for Asbestos-Related Property Damage School Claimants at (212) 759-4600.
