C. L. Sheckler to J. D. Anderson and L. H. Hemerda on Reporting Cancer Cases at Manville (1971)

A one-page confidential memo of May 12, 1971, from C. L. Sheckler at J-M headquarters to J. D. Anderson and L. H. Hemerda at the Manville plant, copied to A. B. Marchant, H. M. Jackson, Dr. T. H. Davison, W. L. Ruff and Dr. R. F. Liss. Sheckler asks for a report under the company's occupational disease Standard Practices (the IH-600 series) on "all cases with a possible involvement of any type of cancer, including mesothelioma," with everything except the X-ray films. Reports were to be made as soon as the plant learned of a possible case, whether from outside doctors, disability retirement requests, the union or supervisors.

What it shows

Sheckler closes: "Subsequent to my review of the information, we will discuss Workmen's Compensation case handling procedures. Arrangements for medical examination and legal representation should be withheld pending our discussion and recommendations." By 1971 J-M expected cancer cases, including mesothelioma, among its Manville workers, and wanted each one routed to headquarters as a possible compensation claim before the plant arranged examinations or lawyers. It continues Sheckler's 1969 concern about mass compensation filings at Manville.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

Johns-Manville's own chronology of what the company knew describes this document as follows:

Sheckler requests J.D. Anderson and L.H. Hemerda of the Manville plant, 5/12/71, to prepare information in accord with J-M Standard Practices IH-600 Series for all occupational disease cases possibly involving any type of cancer, including mesothelioma. Subsequent to Sheckler's review of this information, he will discuss the workers' compensation case handling procedures with Anderson and Hemerda.