Federal Judge Allows Public Access to Asbestos Claimants’ Information in Garlock Bankruptcy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The bankruptcy judge overseeing the Garlock Sealing Technologies bankruptcy proceedings has refused to seal or redact the personal and financial information of asbestos claimants, explaining that the public’s interest in accessing such information outweighs any need for confidentiality.

In an Oct. 16 ruling, Judge George Hodges of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina denied a motion by the Official Committee of Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants to keep the information confidential, explaining that it is pertinent to the Garlock estimation proceedings.

The estimation hearing began in July 2013. On the eve of that …