Henry C. Puetz v. C. F. Braun and Others, California Asbestosis Findings and Award (1966–1969)

The five-page findings and award of the Workmen's Compensation Appeals Board of California in the claim of Henry C. Puetz (claim no. 66 OAK 20668), filed September 8, 1969. The referee found that Puetz, "while employed as an asbestos worker" in California from 1945 through November 29, 1967, sustained injury "consisting of asbestosis," with 64 percent permanent disability. The findings list more than 30 employers over those years, among them Johns-Manville Sales Corp. (1949–1953 and 1957), Fibreboard, Owens Corning Fiberglas and many insulation contractors, and award him disability payments and further medical treatment.

What it shows

Puetz's claim, filed in 1966, is one of several brought by California insulators in the mid-1960s against long lists of employers that included J-M (see also Vernon Lumbattis and Kenneth Frederick). Here the board found asbestosis and made an award, holding the employers' insurers jointly responsible.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

Henry Puetz asbestosis workers' compensation claim filed. Insulation worker employed by various companies including J-M.