W.R. Grace Asbestos: A Complete Guide

W.R. Grace & Co. (WRG) was a longtime manufacturer of insulation products. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 after facing thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits that were linked to its products and the vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. The WRG Asbestos PI Trust began accepting claims in 2014 to compensate mesothelioma victims and others affected by asbestos exposure.

ELSM Law has filed W.R. Grace asbestos trust claims on behalf of clients since its inception. If you or a loved one were exposed to W.R. Grace asbestos products and developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible for compensation.

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W.R. Grace Asbestos Trust At a Glance

• The W.R. Grace Asbestos PI Trust has paid approximately $2.5 billion to injured victims and families with funds remaining for eligible claimants.
• To file a claim, you must be diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos illness and provide proof that W.R. Grace is responsible for your exposure.
• W.R. Grace asbestos exposure may have occurred while using asbestos products on the job, during home renovation, or through secondary exposure.
• Experienced asbestos attorneys at ELSM Law will review your case to determine your eligibility and file a claim on your behalf.

What Is the W.R. Grace Asbestos PI Trust?

In April 2001, WRG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for reorganization after several asbestos lawsuits were brought against them. The company created an asbestos trust fund to set aside money to pay current and future claims.

The W.R. Grace asbestos trust is designed to pay victims diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses from exposure to asbestos contaminated W.R. Grace products. In 2014, the WRG asbestos trust began accepting asbestos claims.

The Delaware Claims Processing Facility, LLC continues to handle asbestos claim submissions. The trust has received over 647,000 unliquidated claims and paid over 269,000 claims since it was established.

In 2024, the WRG Asbestos PI Trust:

• Paid over 23,600 claims
• Received over 28,400 unliquidated claims
• Paid over $215 million to injured claimants
• Reported more than $1.84 billion in total assets
• Reported over 2.3 million claims as settled but unpaid

WRG Asbestos PI Trust Payment Percentage

The W.R. Grace trust fund uses a payment percentage system to compensate victims’ claims while preserving money for future claims. As of April 2024, the current W.R. Grace asbestos trust payment percentage was decreased from 31.7% to 30.1%. With a payment percentage of 30.1%, the current payout for a W.R. Grace claim based on a mesothelioma diagnosis filed under the expedited review could receive $54,180.

Choosing Review Type for W.R. Grace Claims

If a mesothelioma victim had exposure to W.R. Grace products, an experienced asbestos attorney will assess their exposure history, medical, and personal details to determine the appropriate filing process to maximize the claim payout.

• 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.

To file a mesothelioma claim, you must prove the victim’s diagnosis is linked to their exposure to W.R. Grace asbestos products. 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.

Historical Use of Asbestos by W.R. Grace & Co.

W.R. Grace & Co. was founded in 1864 and has headquarters in Columbus, Maryland. The company is a global supplier of specialty chemicals, construction materials, and agriculture products. They have a long history of using asbestos in cement, plaster, insulation and fireproofing products.

In 1963, W.R. Grace & Co. purchased the Zonolite Company, which operated the vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. Between 1963-1990, W.R. Grace continued to mine vermiculite that was often contaminated with asbestos, and sold the ore to other companies. Approximately 80% of the global supply of vermiculite came from the Libby Mine. Thousands of miners, workers, consumers, and residents were exposed to this asbestos and developed illnesses, like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Despite knowing the asbestos dangers since the 1970s, WRG continued to hide the health risks associated with the Libby Mine. By 2008, they were ordered to pay the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund future asbestos cleanup efforts in town.

The company’s asbestos history has affected EPA policy, regulations, and asbestos litigation for decades. W.R. Grace’s asbestos use continues to impact the environment and public health.

List of W.R. Grace Asbestos Products

Several W.R. Grace & Co. products were manufactured with asbestos for the high heat resistance and insulation, including cement, fireproofing sprays, and plasters. The company mined asbestos contaminated vermiculite to use for the Zonolite insulation and Mono-Kote fireproofing products.

Below is a list of commonly used W.R. Grace asbestos products:

Workers at Risk for Asbestos Exposure

Many workers from several different industries used W.R. Grace products that contained asbestos while on the job. People who worked in occupations associated with building and home remodeling or personally completed home renovations had frequent contact with W.R. Grace asbestos insulating materials. Miners and other W.R. Grace employees who handled, used, or transported vermiculite had a greater risk of asbestos exposure and developing mesothelioma.

Occupations at risk of asbestos exposure include:

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Family members of individuals who used W.R. Grace asbestos products were also at risk of secondary asbestos exposure, even if they never worked directly with the material themselves. Workers often brought asbestos dust into their homes on their clothing or hair, exposing loved ones through direct contact with them. Additionally, family members who laundered the worker’s dusty clothing were at risk of inhaling asbestos dust.

W.R. Grace Asbestos Lawsuits

W.R. Grace & Co. faced over 129,000 asbestos lawsuits. Many originated from miners, workers, and Libby residents who developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure at the Libby Mine in Montana. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared a public health emergency in Libby and designated the Libby Asbestos Superfund Site to begin a massive cleanup effort of the hazardous waste.

In 2003, the EPA filed claims against W.R. Grace to recover costs associated with asbestos contamination. W.R. Grace paid the U.S. government over $63 million to resolve claims for environmental cleanups at approximately 39 hazardous waste sites across 21 states. Over $54 million went to the EPA and $9 million went to other federal agencies.

W.R. Grace was held liable for the harm the company did to hundreds of families and homes. We made sure that the responsible party, W.R. Grace, not the taxpayer, has to pay for the clean-up of asbestos contamination. EPA statement from the U.S. Department of Justice press release

In a 2008 settlement with the federal government, W.R. Grace was required to pay the EPA $250 million to reimburse the costs of the investigation and cleanup efforts from the asbestos contamination in Libby.

Understanding Your Legal Right to Compensation

W.R. Grace is responsible for exposing several workers and their families to asbestos. If you personally used W.R. Grace products or lived with someone who did and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation. Family members may also be able to file mesothelioma claims after death on behalf of the injured victim.

FAQs

How do I file a claim through the W.R. Grace Asbestos Trust?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos illness from exposure to W.R. Grace products, an asbestos attorney at ELSM will review your case and guide you through the mesothelioma claim filing process. They will determine what exposure, medical, and personal records are needed to file your claim correctly.

Can a family member file a W.R. Grace Asbestos claim?

Yes, family members can file a claim on behalf of a deceased loved one whose W.R. Grace asbestos exposure was the cause of their mesothelioma or asbestos illness. Family members who had secondary asbestos exposure may also file a W.R. Grace claim.

How much compensation can I receive through the W.R. Grace asbestos trust?

An experienced asbestos lawyer at ELSM Law will evaluate your exposure, medical, and personal information to determine the appropriate review type to select when filing a W.R. Grace asbestos claim. A mesothelioma claim could receive a payout between approximately $54,190 and $135,450 based on the current W.R. Grace asbestos trust payment percentage.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a W.R. Grace asbestos trust claim?

The deadline for filing a W.R. Grace asbestos trust claim varies by state. Jurisdictions set different timeframes, and most states require filing within 1 to 3 years from date of diagnosis or death.