We help people get the compensation they deserve.Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds are large sums of money set aside by bankrupt companies to compensate those harmed by their products. Over $30 billion is available in these funds today, and asbestos victims can access their share without going to court or filing a lawsuit. See if you may be owed mesothelioma trust fund money.
Why Take Legal Action?
By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the asbestos companies that caused you or a loved one harm.
Results Secured
- $40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $15 million for a New York construction worker
- $7 million for a Pennsylvania welder
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. Garrett
What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?
Asbestos trust funds are bank accounts established to compensate those affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that filed for bankruptcy reorganization to dodge lawsuits were ordered to create mesothelioma trusts to pay those harmed. Billions of dollars have already been paid to asbestos victims and their families.
Key Facts About Mesothelioma Trust Funds
- It’s estimated that asbestos trust funds contain over $30 billion today.
- 60+ companies have set up trust funds for mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases.
- The average total payout is between $300,000 and $400,000.
- Claimants often start to receive financial compensation in 90 days or less.
A mesothelioma attorney can identify the asbestos trust funds that you qualify for and file claims with each one to maximize your total payout.
Get a free case review now to see if one of the asbestos attorneys in the LawFirm.com network can access asbestos settlement trust money on your behalf.
Eligibility for Asbestos Trust Compensation
You may be eligible to seek asbestos or mesothelioma trust fund compensation if you were:
- Exposed to an asbestos-containing product made by a company with a trust fund
- Later diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease like lung cancer
You may also be able to file an asbestos claim after death if a family member has passed away from an asbestos-related illness.
Even if you’re not sure how you were exposed, LawFirm.com may still be able to help. We work with mesothelioma lawyers who can identify the products that made you sick and the companies that made them.
“I don’t think people quite understand how those trust funds are put together. The money is there. It has been put there to meet the needs of mesothelioma families and to pay them. Don’t feel guilty about it.”
– Sheryl, daughter of Burlene, who worked with our partner firm
Filing a Mesothelioma Trust Fund Claim
The mesothelioma lawyers in our network understand the challenges of navigating a diagnosis, so they strive to make the claim process as easy and stress-free as possible.
An attorney can handle the legal process by:
- Determining your eligibility: Get a free case review to see if one of our legal partners may be able to pursue compensation from asbestos trust fund settlements on your behalf.
- Investigating your case: Top mesothelioma law firms have databases of information to identify the asbestos products you came in contact with and the companies that made and sold them.
- Collecting evidence: Your legal team will gather evidence about your mesothelioma diagnosis, work history, and asbestos exposure to build your mesothelioma trust fund claim.
- Filing your claims: Your lawyer will file claims with all of the asbestos bankruptcy trust funds you qualify for, maximizing the value of your case.
- Accessing compensation: Once your claims are approved, you will receive trust fund payouts.
Your team will keep you informed as your claim moves forward and work to secure compensation as quickly as possible.
Your attorney can also file a mesothelioma lawsuit and trust fund claims at the same time to pursue more compensation for mesothelioma.
Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts
An individual asbestos trust fund claim is worth about $41,000 on average, according to the RAND Institute for Civil Justice. However, many victims were exposed to multiple asbestos products, meaning they’re eligible to file claims with more than one trust.
Asbestos victims typically recover between $300,000 to $400,000 in total compensation from asbestos trust funds — but it’s possible for trust fund claims to award $1 million or more.
For example, one of the mesothelioma law firms in our network helped a U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma access $2.4 million in trust fund money. He had worked as a pipeline inspector but was unsure about the products that exposed him to asbestos.
The law firm was able to identify the products that had made him sick and take legal action on his behalf.
You or a loved one may be owed some of this money — get help with a trust fund claim today.
Timeline for Mesothelioma Trust Fund Payouts
Mesothelioma victims often start to receive trust fund compensation in 90 days or less. However, the payout timeline can be affected by how the fund is reviewed by administrators.
Claims can be reviewed in one of two ways:
- Expedited review: Victims of asbestos exposure get a fixed amount of compensation with this option. Every claimant with the same disease receives the same compensation amount, typically resulting in quicker access to mesothelioma compensation fund money.
- Individual review: If a case is more complicated, a lawyer can ask the trust fund administrators to review a victim’s medical records and asbestos exposure history. This review process takes longer, and the victim could receive more or less compensation than an expedited review.
Your attorney can explain the type of review that’s best in your case and estimate how long it should take for you to access compensation. They can navigate the complexities of trust funds, expedite claims, and maximize compensation.
Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Settlement Fund Amounts
Mesothelioma trust funds award different amounts of compensation depending on a variety of factors.
Factors that can impact mesothelioma and asbestos trust fund payouts include:
- Your diagnosis: The asbestos-related disease you have, its severity, and how it has impacted your life can affect how much asbestos trust fund compensation you get.
- How many products you were exposed to: The more asbestos products you were exposed to, the more asbestos trust fund claims you can potentially file.
- Payment percentages: Each trust pays out a certain percentage of a claim’s total value to make sure money is left to pay future claimants.
- State law: State laws regulate asbestos litigation and often place limits on trust fund claim values.
The best way to maximize trust fund payouts is to get help from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. They can help you prove that you were exposed to a company’s products and file as many claims as possible on your behalf.
Asbestos Trust Fund List
More than 100 companies have set up mesothelioma trust funds, and over 60 are still active today.
Some of these companies are listed below, along with the name of their trust fund and the year it was established.
| Company | Asbestos Trust Fund | Created |
|---|---|---|
| A-Best Products | A-Best Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2006 |
| A. P. Green | APG Asbestos Trust | 2014 |
| ABB Lummus Global | ABB Lummus Global Inc. 425(g) Asbestos PI Trust | 2007 |
| AC&S | ACandS Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2009 |
| API, Inc. | API, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2006 |
| Armstrong World Industries | Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2006 |
| ARTRA Group, Inc. | Artra 524(g) Asbestos Trust | 2007 |
| ASARCO, LLC | ASARCO LLC Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2009 |
| Babcock & Wilcox Co. | Babcock & Wilcox Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2006 |
| Bondex International/Special Products Holding Corp. | Bondex Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2016 |
| Brauer Supply Co. | Brauer524(g) Asbestos Trust | 2012 |
| Burns & Roe Construction Group | Burns & Roe Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2010 |
| Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc. | Burns & Roe Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2010 |
| C.E. Thurston | C.E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust | 2006 |
| Celotex Corp. | Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust | 1997 |
| Christy Refractories Co. LLC | Christy Refractories Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2012 |
| Combustion Engineering | Combustion Engineering 524(g) Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2006 |
| Congoleum Corp. | Congoleum Plan Trust | 2011 |
| DuroDyne National Corp. | Duro Dyne Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2021 |
| Eagle Picher Industries | Eagle Picher Industries Inc. Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 1996 |
| Fairbanks International Inc. | Fairbanks Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2023 |
| Federal Mogul (T&N, Flexitallic, Ferodo) | Federal Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Turner & Newall Subfund | 2007 |
| Flintkote Co./Flintkote Mines | Flintkote Asbestos PI Trust | 2015 |
| Fuller-Austin | Fuller-Austin Asbestos Settlement Trust | 1999 |
| Garlock Sealing Technologies, LLC (Anchor Packing Company and Garrison) | Garlock Settlement Trust | 2018 |
| General Motors Corp. | Motors Liquidation Company Asbestos PI Trust (General Motors) | 2012 |
| George V. Hamilton, Inc. | Geo. V Hamilton, Inc. Asbestos Trust | 2019 |
| G-I Holdings, Inc. | G-I Holdings Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2010 |
| Global Industrial Technologies (Harbison-Walker) | DII Industries, LLC Asbestos PI Trust | 2005 |
| Hercules Chemical Co. | Hercules Chemical Company, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2010 |
| H.K. Porter Co. | H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust | 2008 |
| Johns Manville Corporation | Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 1987 |
| J.T. Thorpe Co. | J.T. Thorpe Company Successor Trust (TX) | 2004 |
| J.T. Thorpe Inc. | J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust (CA) | 2006 |
| Kaiser Aluminum | Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2006 |
| Keene Corp. | Keene Creditors Trust | 2006 |
| Kentile Floors | Metex Asbestos PI Trust | 2015 |
| Leslie Controls, Inc. | Leslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2012 |
| Maremont Corporation | Maremont Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2019 |
| Mid-Valley Inc. (Halliburton) | DII Industries, LLC Asbestos PI Trust (HAL) | 2005 |
| National Gypsum | NGC Bodily Injury Trust | 1993 |
| North American Refractories Co. (NARCO) | North American Refractories Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2013 |
| Oakfabco Inc. | Oakfabco Liquidating Trust | 2019 |
| Owens Corning Corp. | Owens Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Owens Corning Subfund | 2006 |
| Owens Corning Fibreboard | Owens Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Fibreboard Subfund | 2006 |
| Pittsburgh Corning | Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2017 |
| Plant Insulation Co. | Plant Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2014 |
| Plibrico Co. | Plibrico 524(g) Trust | 2006 |
| Porter-Hayden Co. | Porter Hayden Bodily Injury Trust | 2007 |
| Quigley Co. | Quigley Company, Inc. Asbestos PI Trust | 2014 |
| Rapid American Corp. | Rapid-American Asbestos Personal Injury Liquidating Trust | 2022 |
| Raymark Corp./Raytech Corp. | Raytech Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2010 |
| SEPCO | Sepco Asbestos PI Trust | 2020 |
| Shook & Fletcher | Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2004 |
| State Insulations Corp. | State Insulation Corporation Asbestos PI Trust | 2016 |
| Swan Transportation Co. | Swan Asbestos and Silica Settlement Trust | 2003 |
| T.H. Agriculture & Nutrition | T. H. Agriculture & Nutrition, LLC Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2009 |
| Thorpe Insulation Co. | Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2010 |
| United Gilsonite Laboratories | United Gilsonite Laboratories Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2015 |
| United States Mineral Products | United States Mineral Products Company Asbestos PI Settlement Trust | 2008 |
| USG Corp. | United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2006 |
| Utex Industries | Utex Industries, Inc. Successor Trust | 2005 |
| W.R. Grace | W.R. Grace & Co. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2014 |
| Western MacArthur/Western Asbestos | Western Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2004 |
| Yarway | Yarway Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2016 |
This is not a complete list. Other companies have established mesothelioma trust funds to compensate those they’ve harmed.
If you worked for one of these companies or with the products they manufactured and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be owed money.
Get a free case review to see if you may be able to access compensation from mesothelioma trust funds.
Differences Between Asbestos Trust Fund Claims and Lawsuits
Asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma lawsuits can both award compensation for asbestos-related diseases and hold negligent manufacturers accountable. However, there are some significant differences between the two.
The chart below shows the main differences between mesothelioma trust fund claims and lawsuits.
| Mesothelioma Trust Fund Claims | Mesothelioma Lawsuits |
|---|---|
| Paid by trusts established by bankrupt asbestos companies | Paid by asbestos companies that are still in business through settlements or verdicts |
| Average total payout is between $300,000 and $400,000 | Average settlement payout is between $1 million and $1.4 million |
| Quick access to compensation | Access to compensation may be slower |
| You never have to go to court | You might have to appear in court in rare circumstances |
In many cases, victims who have been harmed by asbestos-containing products can file both types of mesothelioma claims.
Deadlines for Asbestos Trusts
Asbestos victims have a limited amount of time to file claims with asbestos trust funds. Each trust fund sets its own filing deadlines, similar to statutes of limitations in asbestos lawsuits.
With most trusts, asbestos victims have 2-3 years from the date of a diagnosis or death of a loved one to file a claim.
Once a trust’s deadline passes, you will not be able to file a claim and pursue compensation.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to contact an asbestos lawyer as soon as possible. They can explain the deadline that applies in your case and file your claim while there’s still time.
If the time limit has expired, they may be able to pursue other types of mesothelioma compensation for you.
Get Help Filing Mesothelioma Trust Claims
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation from asbestos trust funds.
You can access your share of the more than $30 billion in mesothelioma trust funds without filing a lawsuit or going to court. In many cases, victims start getting trust fund payments in 90 days or less.
Our legal partners have recovered over $10.1 billion for families affected by asbestos exposure through trust fund claims and other sources.
Call (866) 447-8466 right now or get a free case review to see if you may be entitled to compensation.
Mesothelioma Trust Funds FAQs
How many asbestos trust funds are there?
In the late 1980s, Johns Manville Corporation established the first asbestos trust fund, and since then, over 100 companies have followed suit. Today, about 60 asbestos trusts are still active and paying victims and their families.
Companies with mesothelioma trust funds include:
- Armstrong World Industries
- Babcock & Wilcox
- Bondex
- Celotex Corp.
- Eagle-Picher
- General Motors Co.
- Kaiser Aluminum Corp.
- National Gypsum Co.
- Owens Corning
- Quigley Co.
A mesothelioma attorney can help you figure out which asbestos trust funds you or a loved one may qualify for, explain your legal options, and fight to secure as much financial assistance as possible.
How much money is left in the asbestos trust fund?
Current estimates indicate that there’s over $30 billion available in asbestos trust funds.
Asbestos trust funds were established by asbestos companies to pay current and future victims harmed by their products. They have paid out billions of dollars to eligible families over the past 30 years.
We can help you access your share of this money — get a free case review now.
How much does the asbestos trust fund pay out?
The average total payout from mesothelioma and asbestos trust funds is between $300,000 and $400,000.
The amount of money awarded may vary depending on several factors, including how many mesothelioma trust funds you’re able to file claims with.
In some cases, asbestos victims are able to file multiple claims and access over $1 million from asbestos trust funds.
How do asbestos trusts work?
With the help of a lawyer, asbestos victims can file a claim with any trusts that they qualify for to request a portion of the money.
The claims process involves several steps, including:
- Identifying the trust: The attorney identifies the asbestos trust funds that the victim qualifies for based on the products they were exposed to.
- Filing the claim: Following the requirements for the asbestos trust funds, the lawyer fills out all of the paperwork and submits it.
- Reviewing the claim: The trust reviews the claim and decides whether to approve it or not.
- Getting paid: If the claim is approved, the victim receives payment.
Asbestos trust funds can be complicated to navigate, so working with an experienced lawyer can ensure that you get the money you deserve.
Is there a limit to how many asbestos trust funds I can apply to?
No, there is no limit to how many asbestos trust funds you can apply to.
In many cases, families are able to access compensation from more than one trust fund. That’s because most asbestos victims were exposed to asbestos from multiple products.
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. GarrettPartner
- Lawyer
- Editor
Amy Garrett is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy with more than 22 years of litigation experience. Amy has helped the firm secure billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Over the past two decades, she has gained a reputation as a litigator who advocates for her asbestos and complex litigation clients both inside and outside the courtroom.
Written by: Rae Theodore
Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
- Dixon, L., & McGovern, G. “Links between asbestos bankruptcy trusts, tort cases examined.” RAND Corporation. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1104.html
- Dixon, L., McGovern, G., & Coombe, A. “Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: An Overview of Trust Structure and Activity with Detailed Reports on the Largest Trusts.” RAND Corporation. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2010/RAND_TR872.pdf
- Sokolove Law. (2024, November 13). “Mesothelioma & Asbestos Trust Funds.” Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/mesothelioma/legal/asbestos-trust-funds/
