National Gypsum Asbestos Trust Fund, Exposure & Compensation

National Gypsum Company (NGC) manufactured building materials, including joint compounds, cement products, acoustical materials, siding, and ceiling panels. The company incorporated asbestos in certain products to improve durability, heat resistance, and insulation.

After facing thousands of asbestos lawsuits, National Gypsum Company filed for bankruptcy and eventually established the NGC Bodily Injury Trust to compensate asbestos victims.

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If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma or another asbestos disease after exposure to National Gypsum asbestos products, an asbestos attorney at Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) can help you file a National Gypsum asbestos trust claim.

National Gypsum Asbestos Trust At a Glance

• The NGC Bodily Injury Trust was established in 2003 and has funds remaining to pay asbestos victims.
• To file a National Gypsum asbestos trust claim, the victim must be diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease and prove National Gypsum Company is responsible for the exposure.
• Asbestos exposure from National Gypsum products may have occurred while working with joint compounds, cement products, acoustical materials, siding, and panels.
• ELSM Law asbestos lawyers will review your case to determine your eligibility and file a National Gypsum asbestos trust claim on your behalf.

Understanding the National Gypsum Asbestos Trust Fund

As asbestos lawsuits against the company increased, National Gypsum filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1990. Under the bankruptcy reorganization plan, the original National Gypsum Company was renamed Asbestos Claims Management Corporation (ACMC) to oversee the company’s asbestos liabilities. The reorganized National Gypsum continued operating its business.

The bankruptcy plan also established the NGC Settlement Trust to compensate asbestos victims. However, the Trust ultimately proved insufficient to pay the growing number of asbestos claims.

By 2002, ACMC filed a second Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, leading to the creation of the NGC Bodily Injury Trust in 2003.

In 2025, the NGC Bodily Injury Trust:

• Paid more than $10.67 million to asbestos victims.
• Reported approximately $198.7 million in total assets.

Today, the Trust continues to compensate qualified claimants through a payment percentage system designed to preserve funds for both current and future asbestos claims.

National Gypsum Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage

The current National Gypsum Asbestos Trust payment percentage is 45%. The scheduled value for a National Gypsum mesothelioma claim filed under the Expedited Review is $45,000.

At a payment percentage of 45%, a National Gypsum mesothelioma claim filed under the Expedited Review process can be expected to receive the standard scheduled value payment of $20,250.

Determining Review Process for National Gypsum Asbestos Trust Claims

When filing a National Gypsum asbestos trust claim, an experienced asbestos lawyer will determine the appropriate review process to maximize claim compensation. Payouts may vary depending on factors including claimant’s age, diagnosis, exposure history, economic loss, and the law firm’s prior settlement history.

Claim review options include:

• Expedited Review (ER): An ER claim is evaluated through the standard review process to confirm eligibility for the applicable standard value payment outlined in the Trust Distribution Procedures.
• Individual Review (IR): An IR claim undergoes a thorough evaluation to determine the individual liquidated value that may be greater or less than the scheduled value designated for each disease level. IR filing is required for certain lung cancer claims, secondary exposure cases, and claims that don’t meet trust criteria.

An asbestos attorney at Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen will evaluate the claimant’s case and eligibility to file a mesothelioma claim on their behalf.

National Gypsum Company’s Role in Asbestos Exposure

National Gypsum Company was established in 1925 through the merger of several gypsum producers and grew into one of the nation’s largest producers of building materials. The company became especially well known for its Gold Bond brand of gypsum wallboard and manufactured a wide range of construction products used in residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the United States.

For decades, many National Gypsum products contained asbestos, a mineral widely used for it heat resistance and durability before its serious health risks became known.

Key events in National Gypsum Company’s asbestos history include:

• 1933: National Gypsum began manufacturing products using asbestos.
• 1934: The company acquired a subsidiary of Bethlehem Steel that produced metal lath used to support wallboards.
• 1935: National Gypsum Company acquired one of its main competitors, Universal Gypsum.
• 1970s: NGC began facing asbestos personal injury lawsuits alleging exposure to its asbestos-containing building materials.
• 1981: National Gypsum discontinued using asbestos in its products.
• 1985: After facing approximately 5,000 asbestos bodily injury lawsuits, National Gypsum Company joined the Wellington Agreement, which established the Asbestos Claims Facility to coordinate the evaluation, defense, and settlement of asbestos claims.
• 1987: National Gypsum paid $8.4 million in damages to settle asbestos lawsuits with 155 school districts across 19 different states.
• 1990: National Gypsum Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to address overwhelming asbestos-related liabilities from decades of manufacturing asbestos-containing building products.
• 1992: National Gypsum faced approximately 45,000 unresolved asbestos lawsuits.
• 1993: The bankruptcy court confirmed National Gypsum’s reorganization plan, establishing the NGC Settlement Trust and Asbestos Claims Management Corporation (ACMC) to administer current and future asbestos claims while allowing the reorganized company to continue operating.
• 2002: ACMC filed its own chapter 11 bankruptcy petition to restructure the remaining asbestos liabilities and establish a permanent trust.
• 2003: The bankruptcy court confirmed ACMC’s reorganization plan and created the NGC Bodily Injury Trust to assume responsibility for present and future asbestos claims. The Trust was funded by the reorganized National Gypsum, ACMC, and assets from earlier NGC Settlement Trust.
• 2022: By January, the NGC Bodily Injury Trust had paid more than $514 million paid to asbestos claimants.

National Gypsum Company Asbestos Products

National Gypsum Company manufactured building products that historically contained asbestos, primarily from the 1930s through the 1970s. Many of these products were commonly used during commercial construction, home renovations, and shipbuilding that were completed before the 1980s.

National Gypsum Company established and marketed several well-known products brands, including Gold Bond, ProForm, and PermaBase.

Gold Bond became its primary brand for gypsum wallboard, joint compounds, plasters, ceilings, sheathing, and other building materials. It remains its flagship brand today.

The following asbestos products were manufactured by National Gypsum Company during certain periods of production:

Who Was Most At-Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

National Gypsum Company employees and other individuals who worked directly with National Gypsum asbestos products were at a higher risk of asbestos exposure. Family members who had regular contact with these workers may have experienced secondary asbestos exposure from asbestos fibers carried home. These forms of exposure can increase the risk of developing different types of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Occupational Exposure

Construction workers and drywall finishers were often exposed to asbestos while mixing, applying, and sanding National Gypsum asbestos-containing joint compounds used to finish drywall. Individuals who worked around these products in poorly ventilated areas had an increased risk of asbestos exposure.

Despite evidence of health risks associated with asbestos, tradesmen were not warned or given proper protective equipment when handling National Gypsum asbestos products.

Occupations at greater risk of National Gypsum Company asbestos exposure include:

Home Renovation Exposure

Homeowners and tradesmen performing remodeling work in residential homes were often exposed to asbestos-containing National Gypsum joint compound and siding materials. Applying, installing, sanding, and removing these National Gypsum products released asbestos fibers and exposed workers performing the tasks as well as others nearby.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Tradesmen who worked directly with asbestos-containing joint compounds, joint cements, and other insulation products manufactured by National Gypsum Company may have unknowingly put family members at risk of secondary asbestos exposure by carrying asbestos fibers home on their clothing, shoes, and hair. Individuals may have been exposed through direct contact with the occupationally exposure person (OEP) covered in asbestos dust and from handling asbestos-contaminated clothing.

If you believe your mesothelioma diagnosis is related to secondary exposure, you may be eligible to file a National Gypsum asbestos trust claim.

Understanding Your Legal Right to Compensation

Filing a National Gypsum mesothelioma claim with the NGC Bodily Injury Trust requires specific documentation that complies with the Trust Distribution Procedures and filing deadlines.

An asbestos lawyer at ELSM will:

• Review your medical records to determine your National Gypsum asbestos claim eligibility.
• Collect your employment history and identify any specific work with National Gypsum asbestos products.
• Connect your work history to known National Gypsum jobsites or obtain written testimony confirming exposure to National Gypsum asbestos products.
• File your National Gypsum Asbestos Trust claim with the required documentation.
• Monitor National Gypsum asbestos claim status and communicate with trust administrators throughout the review process to ensure timely payouts.

With decades of experience handling asbestos trust claims, ELSM Law will help mesothelioma victims pursue the compensation they deserve from the National Gypsum Asbestos Trust fund. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a family member file a National Gypsum Asbestos Trust claim?

Yes, family members may file a mesothelioma claim after death of loved one who had exposure to National Gypsum asbestos products. Family members who have experienced secondary asbestos exposure and were diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer may qualify to file a National Gypsum asbestos claim.

How much compensation can I receive from the NGC Bodily Injury Trust?

A mesothelioma claim filed with the NGC Bodily Injury Trust may receive between $20,250 and $81,000, depending on the claim's review process and the trust's current payment percentage. An ELSM Law asbestos lawyer will determine which review process applies to your National Gypsum asbestos claim.

How long does it take to receive a National Gypsum Asbestos Trust mesothelioma payout?

Most National Gypsum asbestos trust mesothelioma claims are processed within three to six months, although processing time can vary. Claims submitted through Expedited Review are generally processed quicker, while claims submitted through the Individual Review require a more detailed evaluation and may take longer before a payout is issued.

How long do I have to file a claim with the National Gypsum Asbestos Trust?

The deadline to file a National Gypsum asbestos claim is determined by the applicable state’s statute of limitations and the Trust Distribution Procedures. In general, malignant claims must be filed within three years of the claimant’s death, while non-malignant claims are subject to different deadline based on the diagnosis date. Certain tolling provisions may extend the filing deadline. An ELSM Law asbestos attorney will review your case to determine the applicable deadline and ensure your claim is filed on time.

Which National Gypsum Company products contain asbestos?

National Gypsum Company manufactured a variety of products that contained asbestos, particularly before the late 1970s. These products included certain insulation materials, joint compound, insulating cement, wallboard, pipe covering, ceiling panels, siding, roofing, and other construction materials. Not every NGC product contained asbestos, so whether a specific product contained asbestos depends on the product type and when it was manufactured.