United States Gypsum Asbestos Exposure, Trust & Compensation

The United States Gypsum Company, Inc. (also known as U.S. Gypsum or USG) manufactured and sold asbestos-containing construction products. After facing thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits, USG filed for bankruptcy and formed the United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust fund to compensate victims diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases. If you or a loved one were exposed to USG products and developed an illness, you may be eligible for compensation. ELSM Law can help file your USG asbestos claim.

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United States Gypsum Asbestos Trust At a Glance

• The United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust has paid approximately $4.11 billion to asbestos victims and families with funds remaining.
• To file a trust claim, the victim must be diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos illness and prove USG is responsible for the exposure.
• U.S. Gypsum asbestos exposure may have occurred while working with or around construction products on the job or during home renovations.
• ELSM Law asbestos attorneys can determine your claim eligibility, collect the required documents, and file a claim on your behalf.

Understanding the United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Fund

In July 2001, the United States Gypsum Company (USG) declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy to manage costs after several asbestos litigation cases were brought against them. In 2006, they created an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims exposed to USG products. On February 19, 2007, the United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust began accepting and processing claims.

The Delaware Claims Processing Facility, LLC continues to handle asbestos claims today. The trust has received over 774,300 claims and paid over 406,600 claims since it was established.

In 2024, the United States Gypsum Asbestos Trust:

• Paid approximately 20,800 claims.
• Received over 28,200 unliquidated claims.
• Paid approximately $80.75 million to asbestos victims.
• Reported approximately $820.4 million in total assets.
• Reported over $3.54 million in settled but unpaid claims.

United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Payment Percentage

The United States Gypsum Asbestos Trust will compensate asbestos victims based on the payment percentage system. This system is designed to preserve money for future claims. The current payment percentage is 11% for the United States Gypsum Personal Injury Settlement Trust. At a payment percentage of 11%, a USG mesothelioma claim filed under the expedited review process can be expected to receive the minimum standard scheduled value payment of $17,050.

Determining Review Process for United States Gypsum Claims

If a mesothelioma patient was exposed to United States Gypsum products, an experienced asbestos attorney will review their exposure history, medical records, and personal background to determine the best filing process to maximize the claim payout. Two claim review options are:

• Expedited Review: When filed under the Expedited Review process, the trust will determine whether it meets the criteria established by the Trust Distribution Procedures to receive the standard value payment percentage.
• Individual Review: When filing under the Individual Review process, the trust will give a thorough evaluation of the claimant’s exposure, medical records, and other personal information to determine the liquidated value of the claim based on individual circumstances. It’s recommended to file USG claims under IR process to receive a higher payout than the standard scheduled value.

To file a mesothelioma claim, an ELSM Law asbestos attorney will carefully evaluate the injured party’s information to file the claim correctly. A claimant’s compensation may vary depending on age, exposure, diagnosis, and the firm’s settlement history.

United States Gypsum’s Role in Asbestos Exposure

The United States Gypsum Company (USG) was formed after thirty independent gypsum and plaster companies merged to create the first nationwide gypsum manufacturer in the U.S. Today, USG remains a leading producer of gypsum-based products and ceiling suspension systems in North America.

USG produced various asbestos-containing products, such as drywall. For decades, they continued using asbestos in their products despite knowing the safety hazards. Although USG eventually discontinued using asbestos in products, existing materials remained in use across various settings putting employees and consumers at risk of mesothelioma.

Key events in United States Gypsum’s asbestos history include:

• 1901: The United States Gypsum Company was established.
• 1917: USG created the world’s first commercially viable wallboard trademarked as Sheetrock, commonly known as drywall.
• 1920: USG began manufacturing products with asbestos, including drywall, joint compounds, and insulation products.
• 1967: USG company acquired the A.P. Green Refractories, Inc. company, which originally manufactured asbestos refractory products. USG shared liability for asbestos exposure through A.P. Green products.
• 1978: USG stopped manufacturing products with asbestos.
• 1984: The city of Baltimore filed a product liability lawsuit against USG and other asbestos manufacturers to recover costs associated with identifying, managing, and removing asbestos from facilities. A jury awarded more than $8 million to the city in compensatory damages.
• 1994-2001: USG faced over 250,000 asbestos lawsuits against the company and paid millions in damages.
• 2001: United States Gypsum Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in response to its asbestos liability.
• 2006: USG announced a Joint Plan of Reorganization and created the United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust fund to handle all current and future asbestos claims.

United States Gypsum Asbestos Products

U.S. Gypsum originally manufactured gypsum-based plaster products. The company continued to produce a wide range of asbestos-containing products that were used for commercial and residential building, construction, and other industries. Asbestos provided insulation, durability, and fireproofing for these materials.

USG manufactured and sold a variety of asbestos products, including:

• Acoustical Plasters: Used for sound insulation and applied to walls, floors, and ceilings.
• Asbestos Cement Shingles and Siding: Commonly used in residential roofing applications.
• Block Insulation: Typically used for insulating industrial equipment to withstand high temperatures.
• Finish Plasters: Applied to ceilings, floors, and interior walls for smooth surface finish.
• Joint Compound: Applied over seams of drywall sheets to seal and finish joints between wallboards.
• Stucco: Exterior finishing material used in both residential and commercial construction.

The following USG asbestos products were commonly used:

Who Was Most At-Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

In addition to U.S. Gypsum Company employees, various tradesmen and homeowners who completed their own renovations were frequently exposed to USG asbestos products. Family members of those who used these products were also at risk of secondary exposure.

Occupational Exposure

Workers in industrial, commercial, and residential construction settings often used or were exposed to USG asbestos building products. Tradesmen were not adequately warned or protected, despite growing evidence of health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Occupations at greater risk of USG asbestos exposure include:

Home Renovation Exposure

Homeowners and contractors who completed home repairs frequently used or were exposed to USG asbestos products. Installing, applying, or removing products such as U.S. Gypsum joint compounds, plasters, drywall panels, or acoustical ceiling materials during home repairs released asbestos fibers that the renovator inhaled. Family members present during this work were also at risk of asbestos exposure.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Workers often brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, shoes, and hair, which unknowingly put family members at risk of secondary asbestos exposure. Loved ones were exposed through direct contact or while laundering dusty work clothes that were contaminated with asbestos.

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma and lived with someone who worked with or around USG asbestos products, you may be eligible to file a claim with the trust.

Understanding Your Legal Right to Compensation

Filing a mesothelioma claim with the USG asbestos trust requires specific documentation to comply with the Trust Distribution Procedures and must meet filing deadlines. An experienced mesothelioma law firm like ELSM can assist with the procedures.

An asbestos attorney at ELSM will:

• Review your medical records to determine your eligibility.
• Collect your employment history to identify where your exposure occurred.
• Connect your job sites to known USG product use or secure written testimony of product exposure.
• File your claim correctly using the required documentation.
• Track claim status and communicate with trust regarding claim progress.

ELSM Law has handled asbestos trust claims for decades and understands the process to help asbestos victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a claim through the United States Gypsum Asbestos Trust?

An asbestos attorney at ELSM will review your case and guide you through the mesothelioma claim filing process. They will submit any required exposure, medical, and personal documentation along with a fully completed USG claim form.

Can a family member file a USG Asbestos claim?

Yes, family members may be able to file mesothelioma claims after death on behalf of the injured victim. Family members who experienced secondary asbestos exposure may be eligible to file a USG claim.

How much compensation can I receive through the USG asbestos trust?

An ELSM Law asbestos lawyer will evaluate your case to determine the appropriate review type to select when filing a USG asbestos claim. A mesothelioma claim could receive a payout between $17,050 and $49,500 based on the current USG asbestos trust payment percentage.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a USG asbestos trust claim?

The deadline to file a USG asbestos claim varies by state. Each state sets a different timeframe and typically requires filing within 1 to 3 years from diagnosis or death. An asbestos attorney will determine the proper jurisdiction to submit a claim within the statute of limitations.