Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Exposure, Trust & Compensation

Pittsburgh Corning manufactured asbestos insulation products and exposed many workers who used or worked around piping and heat systems throughout the 1960s and 1970s. If you or your loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and worked with Pittsburgh Corning products, you may be eligible to file a claim with the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust. ELSM Law asbestos attorneys can file a Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust claim on your behalf.

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Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust At a Glance

• The Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust has paid approximately $3.14 billion to asbestos victims and families. Trust funds remain for eligible claimants.
• To file a claim, workers and families must be diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses and prove Pittsburgh Corning is responsible for the exposure.
• Pittsburgh Corning asbestos exposure may have occurred while working with or around pipe insulation or through secondary exposure.
• An experienced law firm like Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney, and Meisenkothen (ELSM) can help gather evidence, file your claim, and get the compensation you deserve.

Understanding the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust Fund

Asbestos trust funds were created by companies that filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos lawsuits. These funds compensate victims with asbestos settlements. The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust was officially formed in 2013 to handle claims from people harmed by the company’s asbestos products. On March 21, 2017, the Pittsburgh Corning trust began accepting and processing unliquidated claims. The trust received over 740,000 claims and paid over 336,000 claims since it was established.

In 2024, the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust:

• Paid over 25,000 claims
• Paid over $172 million to injured claimants
• Reported approximately $1.114 billion in total assets
• Reported over $6 million in settled but unpaid claims

Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage

When you file a claim with an asbestos trust fund, the amount you receive is based on a percentage of a full payout, known as the “scheduled value.” The current payment percentage for the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust is 19%. With a payment percentage of 19%, the scheduled value payout for a Pittsburgh Corning claim based on a mesothelioma diagnosis filed under the expedited review could receive $33,250.

Determining Review Process for Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust Claims

An experienced asbestos attorney will assess your complete history and information to determine the appropriate review process for filing a Pittsburgh Corning asbestos trust claim. Two claim review options are the following:

• Expedited review, which offers a faster decision using standard payout values. This is suggested for claims that meet the criteria established in the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust Distribution Procedures.
• Individual review, which may take longer but could result in a higher payout. This is recommended when the injured party is diagnosed young, and is required when a victim has a lung cancer diagnosis or secondary exposure.

The attorney will recommend the best review option, file the claim, and take care of any requests for more information from the trust administrators.

It can take a few months to process your claim, depending on the review type and complexity. After it’s approved, the payment usually arrives in a few weeks to a month. A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes, speed up the process, and make sure you receive full compensation.

Pittsburgh Corning’s Role in Asbestos Exposure

Pittsburgh Corning made and sold insulation that contained asbestos for decades. Courts have found the company liable for exposing workers and others to asbestos at its manufacturing plants, where sacks of the material were not labeled and workers often touched it with their hands.

Key events in Pittsburgh Corning’s asbestos history include:

• 1937: Pittsburgh Corning Corporation is founded. It’s best known for glass architectural blocks and Foamglas insulation, which don’t contain asbestos.
• 1962: Pittsburgh Corning acquires Unibestos, a type of insulation made with asbestos.
• 1962–1972: Pittsburgh Corning manufactures Unibestos in plants near Tyler, Texas and Port Allegany, Pennsylvania.
• 1970s: Lawsuits against the company begin to rise as mesothelioma diagnoses increase.
• 1990: Over 2,000 factory workers file a class action lawsuit against Pittsburgh Corning, eventually resulting in a $140 million settlement.
• 2000: Facing hundreds of thousands of lawsuits, Pittsburgh Corning files for bankruptcy.
• 2013: The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust is established as part of the bankruptcy settlement.

Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Products

Asbestos products were often used in high-temperature settings where insulation was critical — like chemical plants, oil refineries, power stations, and shipyards. Pittsburgh Corning products include:

• Pipe insulation
• Block insulation
• Braided packing
• Insulating cement
• Tape

Pittsburgh Corning Unibestos Pipe Insulation was commonly used to wrap around piping for heat protection.

Who Was Most At-Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

People who worked with asbestos materials over long periods face a high risk for all types of mesothelioma. But exposure wasn’t limited to the job site — family members were sometimes exposed secondhand.

At-Risk Workers

Workers are most at risk for asbestos-related diseases because they were exposed at high levels over long periods day after day, year after year. In many of the following professions, protective gear was either unavailable or not required before the 1980s:

• Factory workers: Handled asbestos directly while making Pittsburgh Corning insulation products.
• Construction workers: Often installed, removed, or cut into asbestos insulation, pipe coverings, or fireproof panels.
• Plumbers and pipefitters: Worked in tight areas with insulation-wrapped pipes and often had to cut or fit around asbestos materials.
• Shipyard workers: Installed and maintained insulation on ships, where asbestos was heavily used.
• Boiler operators: Handled equipment surrounded by asbestos insulation, including bricks and blocks.

If you worked in one of these fields, you may have had long-term asbestos exposure without realizing it.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Many workers unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, shoes, tools, or in their hair. Secondary asbestos exposure affected spouses, children, and others in the household. Workers often exposed family members to asbestos when greeting them with a hug while still wearing their contaminated work clothes. Family members were also frequently exposed to asbestos fibers when they shook out and laundered the worker’s dusty clothing.

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma and lived with someone who worked with Pittsburgh Corning products, you may also be able to file a claim with the trust.

How ELSM Helps File Your Claim

Filing a mesothelioma claim with the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust requires providing medical records, submitting employment records, complying with the Trust Distribution Procedures, and meeting statute of limitations deadlines. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. An experienced mesothelioma law firm like ELSM can help in many ways.

An asbestos attorney at ELSM will:

• Review your medical history to confirm your eligibility.
• Gather your work records to show where and how you were exposed.
• Connect your job sites to known Pittsburgh Corning product use or document your product exposure.
• File your claim correctly with the trust, using the right documentation.
• Follow up with the trust to track your claim status.

We’ve handled asbestos trust claims for decades and understand what it takes to help asbestos victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We’re ready to help you take the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust?

The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust is a trust fund created to pay people diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease due to Pittsburgh Corning product exposure. The fund was set up in 2013 after the company filed for bankruptcy.

Who is eligible to file a Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust claim?

Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease who was exposed to asbestos from Pittsburgh Corning products can file, as long as they meet the trust criteria. This includes workers and their family members exposed secondhand.

How much compensation can I receive through the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust?

The trust pays 19% of the claim schedule value, but the total amount depends on your specific case and individual circumstances. You may also qualify for other types of claims or legal action. A lawyer can help you explore all possible options for additional compensation.

How long does the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust claims process take?

Most claims take a few months to review and approve. Claims filed with expedited review tend to move faster, while individual review may take longer but could result in higher payouts. Having an attorney helps avoid delays and get your claim right the first time.

How long do I have to file a claim with the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust?

Generally, you have three years from the date of diagnosis to file a claim. This three-year statute of limitations applies to anyone diagnosed after April 16, 2000. It's important to act quickly because if you miss the deadline, you could lose your right to compensation.