Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds contain over $30 billion set aside to compensate people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. You may be able to pursue compensation without ever filing a lawsuit, giving a deposition, or going to court.
At Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM), we’ve helped thousands of families get the money they deserve through asbestos trust claims quickly, privately, and without the stress of going to court.
Asbestos Trusts At a Glance
- If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal right to compensation from the companies responsible.
- Asbestos trust funds were created by companies liable for asbestos exposure. These funds make it possible for victims to receive money even if the original company no longer exists.
- Today, there are over 60 active trusts with more than $30 billion available for eligible claims.
- Unlike a lawsuit, filing an asbestos trust fund claim does not require going to court and is often processed more quickly.
- An experienced attorney can guide you through the trust fund claims process and help prepare required documentation.
What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?
Asbestos trust funds, also called mesothelioma trust funds, are a type of account set up by companies that knowingly exposed people to asbestos and later filed for bankruptcy. As part of the bankruptcy process, these companies had to create trust funds to compensate the people who got sick from their products.
ELSM partner Jennifer Lucarelli discusses asbestos trust funds and how attorneys work with clients to access compensation from these funds.
You may be eligible to file a trust fund claim if you have mesothelioma. It’s different from filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, because you don’t need to go to court and you may get money faster. The lawyers at ELSM can help you with the entire process, so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.
Common Companies with Asbestos Trusts
Most companies that set up asbestos trust funds no longer exist in the way they used to, but the money is still there to help victims. Some of the most well-known asbestos trusts include:
How Asbestos Trust Funds Work
When you file a claim, asbestos bankruptcy trusts follow a clear process to review eligibility and determine whether your claim meets the trust's requirements. You’ll need proof of your diagnosis and evidence that you were exposed to a specific company’s asbestos products. Once you apply, the trust reviews your claim and decides whether it qualifies under its established criteria. You can file claims with more than one trust if more than one company is responsible for your asbestos exposure.
If the company responsible for your exposure doesn’t have a trust fund, you might still be able to take legal action, like filing a lawsuit. An experienced law firm like ELSM can help you explore every option for mesothelioma compensation. We’ll gather your records, identify which companies are at fault and file all your claims for you.
Who Qualifies for Asbestos Trust Claims?
You may qualify for an asbestos trust fund claim if you or a family member have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Let’s look more closely at who can file a claim.
Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
People diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify to file claims with asbestos trusts established by the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. Most exposure happened at work, especially in shipyards, construction, factories or at other jobs at risk of asbestos exposure. Tradesmen, union workers and veterans were at high risk for asbestos exposure.
In many cases, workers unknowingly brought asbestos dust home on their clothes, and family members who suffered this secondary asbestos exposure may also qualify.
Family Members of Victims
If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be able to file a claim on their behalf. Families can file mesothelioma claims after death to help with medical bills, funeral costs and lost income.
Learn More About Asbestos Trust Fund Compensation
Compensation from asbestos trust funds varies based on each trust's criteria and the exposure and medical details of each claim. Learn more about asbestos trust fund payouts, including payment percentages, average payout amounts, and other factors that affect claim values.
One ELSM Law client was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma after working as a laborer and construction worker at numerous Northeast jobsites where he was exposed to asbestos-containing products. After consulting with our firm, he decided to pursue asbestos trust fund claims instead of filing a lawsuit. We reviewed his work history, identified the trusts associated with his asbestos exposure, and successfully filed nearly 30 claims on his behalf.
List of Asbestos Trust Funds
The following asbestos trust fund list includes many of the bankrupt companies that established asbestos trust funds. Eligible claimants may be able to file claims with one or more of these trusts.
Large Active Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts
| Larger Active Asbestos Trusts | Approximate Mesothelioma Payout* | Asbestos Products |
|---|---|---|
| Armstrong World Industries | $46,800 | Insulation, Floor Tile Products |
| ASARCO | $32,200 | Fiber Supply - LAQ (CAPCO) |
| Babcock & Wilcox | $20,800 | Boilers, Refractories |
| Bondex | $38,400 | Joint Compound |
| Burns & Roe | $23,900 | Engineering & Construction Contractor for Power Plants |
| Combustion Engineering | $37,000 | Boilers, Refractories |
| Congoleum | $16,400 | Flooring |
| Fibreboard | $23,300 | Insulation |
| Flintkote | $45,400 | Flooring, Fiber Supply, & More |
| GAF Corporation | $12,800 | Flooring, Roofing, & More |
| Garlock | $24,200 | High-Heat Gasket, Packing Materials |
| Halliburton | $49,800 | Pumps |
| Harbison-Walker Refractories Company | $102,800 | Refractory & Other Products |
| J.T. Thorpe, Inc. | $62,500 | Insulation, Refractory, Boiler Contractor |
| Johns Manville | $25,100 | Raw Asbestos |
| Kaiser Aluminum | $28,800 | Refractory Products |
| Kentile Floors | $19,100 | Tiles, Flooring Products |
| NARCO | $82,200 | Refractory Cement, Boiler Products |
| National Gypsum Company | $22,200 | Drywall Related |
| Owens Corning | $48,700 | Insulation |
| Owens-Illinois | $51,100 | Insulation |
| Pittsburgh Corning | $66,800 | Insulation |
| Plant Insulation Company | $89,500 | Regional Asbestos Products Distributor |
| Quigley | $31,700 | Cement, Fiber |
| T.H.A.N | $61,100 | Fiber Supply to Many Drywall Companies |
| Thorpe Insulation Company | $195,300 | West Coast Exposures |
| Turner & Newall | $18,200 | Spray on Insulation, Cement Pipe |
| United Gilsonite Laboratories | $25,600 | Drywall Products, Joint Cement |
| United States Gypsum | $92,900 | Drywall Related |
| W.R. Grace | $75,200 | Commercial Construction Products |
| Western MacArthur | $217,300 | Various Insulation Supply, Contracting |
| Yarway Corporation | $25,100 | Steam Valves, Steam Traps |
Small Active Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts
| Smaller Active Asbestos Trusts | Approximate Mesothelioma Payout* | Asbestos Products |
|---|---|---|
| A.P. Green Industries | $7,300 | Refractory, Firebrick |
| ABB Lummus Global Inc. | $7,300 | Heaters, Refineries |
| A-Best Products | $5,500 | Safety Gear |
| ACandS, Inc. | $15,800 | Insulation, Contracting |
| API, Inc. | $128,100 | Insulation, Contracting - Minnesota / Midwest |
| Bondo | $4,613 | Body Filler, Muffler, & Tailpipe Bandage |
| C.E. Thurston & Sons | $16,400 | Insulation |
| Celotex | $11,200 | Various Insulation |
| Durabla | $10,000 | Sealing Products |
| Duro Dyne Corporation | $28,900 | Flexible Duct Connectors |
| Eagle-Picher Industries | $12,400 | Insulation Products |
| Fairbanks Company | $15,100 | Valves |
| Federal-Mogul Corporation | $13,300 | Fiber, Insulation, Brakes |
| Ferodo | $4,500 | Brake Parts |
| Flexitallic | $4,400 | Spiral Wound Industrial Gasket |
| General Motors | $10,300 | Automotive Brake Parts |
| H.K. Porter Company | $1,000 | Cloth |
| Hercules Chemical | $4,900 | Plumber's Putty |
| J.T. Thorpe Successor Trust | $46,500 | Insulation, Refractory, Boiler Contractor |
| Keene Corporation | $1,100 | Cement |
| Leslie Controls | $8,100 | Control Valves, Shutoff Valves, Control Instrumentation |
| Maremont | $7,700 | Automotive Brakes & Clutch Linings |
| Pacor Inc. | $9,400 | Insulation |
| Plibrico | $7,300 | Refractory |
| Porter Hayden Company | $13,700 | Insulation Installation |
| Raymark / Raytech Corporation | $1,300 | Brake Parts |
| SEPCO Corporation | $5,200 | Thermal Felt, Insulation Sheets |
| Shook & Fletcher | $10,600 | Boiler, Insulation Work - About 10 States |
| Synkoloid Company | $5,500 | Construction, Home Renovation Products |
| United States Mineral Products | $3,200 | Fireproofing |
Expected Future Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts
A company may file U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy for reorganization after numerous asbestos lawsuits are brought against the company. Once lawyers come to an agreement with the court, liabilities and assets are transferred to an asbestos trust fund formed to compensate future claimants.
| Expected Future Trusts | Asbestos Products |
|---|---|
| AVON | Talc-based Cosmetics & Personal Hygiene Products |
| CertainTeed Corporation | Cement, Insulation, Roofing |
| Georgia-Pacific Corporation | Joint Compound |
| Johnson & Johnson | Talcum Powder |
| Ingersoll-Rand Company | Furnaces, HVAC Equipment |
| Nash Engineering | Pumps |
| Trane U.S. Inc. | Pumps, Air Compressors |
Closed Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts
Once a trust has paid out all of its assets, they can no longer pay any claims and no new claims can be filed. The following asbestos trust funds are Closed Trusts:
| Closed Trusts | Asbestos Products |
|---|---|
| A & I Corporation | |
| Amatex | Cloth and Related |
| E. J. Bartells | Insulation Installation |
| OAKFABCO | Boilers |
| Rapid-American | Block Insulation, Pipe Covering |
| UNARCO | Fiber Supply |
*Actual values may vary based on various factors including, but not limited to, age, exposure, type, and firm settlement history.
Filing a Claim Through a Mesothelioma Trust
Filing a mesothelioma claim through a trust fund involves submitting detailed information to prove your medical diagnosis and asbestos exposure. An experienced attorney can guide you through the following steps:
- Gathering medical records that confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Identifying the asbestos products and exposure sources throughout your career.
- Matching the asbestos jobsites you worked at with approved bankruptcy trust fund lists using our proprietary database.
- Filing the claim and working directly with trust administrators throughout the review process.
It’s important to file within the statute of limitations for asbestos claims, which is a legal deadline that usually starts at the time of your diagnosis. Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers can guide you through every step of the trust fund claims process.
A complete guide delivered next day to your doorstep. Treatment Information, top doctors & cancer centers, financial assistance and more.
How Asbestos Trust Claims Are Reviewed
Asbestos trust funds can provide compensation to individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. At ELSM Law, we’ve helped thousands of families file successful trust fund claims, and our decades of experience allow us to help avoid delays and ensure claims are properly prepared.
Legal Help Accessing Asbestos Trusts
Asbestos trust funds can give you and your family financial support after a mesothelioma diagnosis. At ELSM, we’ve helped thousands of families file successful trust fund claims, and our decades of experience means we know how to avoid delays and maximize your compensation.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and find out what compensation may be available.
Latest Asbestos Trust Fund Updates
We monitor changes across approximately 60 active asbestos trust funds. Recent updates that may affect how claims are evaluated under each trust’s criteria.
- October 2026: Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust payment percentage decreased from 10.8% to 7.8%
- September 2026: Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust payment percentage increased from 5.1% to 5.6%
- August 2026: Owens-Illinois Asbestos Personal Injury Trust payment percentage increased from 50% to 65%
- June 2026: Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Turner & Newell Sub-fund payment percentage decreased from 3.9% to 2.9%
- June 2026: Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Ferodo payment percentage decreased from 3.9% to 2.9%
- June 2026: Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Flexitallic payment percentage decreased from 3.9% to 2.9%
- June 2026: Owens-Corning/Fibreboard Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Fibreboard payment percentage decreased from 3.7% to 3.5%
- June 2026: Owens-Corning/Fibreboard Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust- Owens Corning payment percentage decreased from 4.7% to 4.3%
- June 2026: United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust payment percentage decreased from 11% to 10%
- June 2026: Babcock & Wilcox Company Asbestos PI Trust payment percentage decreased from 4.7% to 4.3%
- May 2026: ACandS Asbestos Settlement Trust payment percentage decreased from 3.2% to 2.89%
- April 2026: APG Asbestos Trust (A.P. Green Industries) payment percentage increased from 5.3% to 6.0%
- April 2026: Combustion Engineering 524(g) Asbestos PI Trust payment percentage decreased from 20% to 15.3%
- March 2026: Motors Liquidation Company Asbestos PI Trust (General Motors) payment percentage decreased from 12.2% to 10.3%
- May 2025: Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Settlement Trust payment percentage increased from 50% to 58%
- May 2025: Kaiser Aluminum payment percentage decreased from 15.5% to 10.6%
- April 2025: WRG Asbestos PI Trust payment percentage decreased to 30.1%
- March 2025:: Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust payment percentage decreased to 10.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file asbestos trust fund claims?
While it is possible to file an asbestos trust fund claim on your own, they require detailed medical records and proof of asbestos exposure. An experienced mesothelioma law firm can help ensure your claim is properly prepared and submitted to the eligible trusts. Learn more in our blog post, “6 Reasons Why It’s Beneficial for ELSM to File Your Asbestos Trust Fund Claim.”
How many asbestos trust funds are there?
There are more than 60 active asbestos trust funds available today. Each one was set up by a different company that filed for bankruptcy after exposing people to asbestos.
What is the purpose of an asbestos trust fund?
Asbestos trust funds were created to compensate people who got sick from asbestos after the companies responsible filed for bankruptcy. They make it possible for victims to receive money even if the original company no longer exists.
Can I file with more than one mesothelioma trust?
Yes, you can file with multiple mesothelioma trust funds if more than one company is responsible for your asbestos exposure. This can help increase your total compensation.
How much can I receive from an asbestos trust fund?
Asbestos trust fund compensation varies depending on the trust, your diagnosis, and exposure history. Some individuals may receive compensation from multiple trusts.
What if the company responsible for my exposure isn’t on the asbestos trust fund list?
If there’s no asbestos trust fund for the company responsible for your asbestos exposure, you may still have legal options. A mesothelioma law firm can help you explore filing a lawsuit or other types of claims.
How long does it take to receive asbestos trust payouts?
Some people start receiving asbestos claim payouts from trusts within a few months, especially through expedited review. The timeline depends on the trust, the type of review you choose and how quickly your claim is processed.
Request a Free Case Evaluation
Request a free case evaluation now if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The evaluation will cost you nothing. Our lawyers will travel to visit you at your convenience or conference call with you over the phone. We understand how difficult a time this is for you and will assist in any way that we can. You can also call us toll-free at 800-336-0086 at any time.
Attorney Early concentrates his work in asbestos bankruptcy matters. He oversees the bankruptcy department, makes bankruptcy court appearances, and addresses other bankruptcy-related issues. Attorney Early is a licensed attorney in New York, Connecticut, the Southern District of New York, and the Eastern District of New York.
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