Guide to Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts in 2026
Asbestos trust fund payouts are payments issued by bankruptcy trusts created after companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to asbestos-related liabilities. These funds were established to compensate individuals harmed by exposure to the companies' asbestos-containing products.
In 2026, more than 60 asbestos trust funds remain active, with over $17 billion of the original $30 billion still available in these trusts to pay current and future claimants. Each asbestos trust has its own criteria and factors that may affect payout amounts. Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may receive payouts from one or more asbestos trust funds.
Understanding how asbestos trust fund payouts are calculated helps explain how compensation amounts are determined, including why they may vary.
Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts At a Glance
- Since their creation, asbestos bankruptcy trusts have received more than $30 billion in funding, with over $17 billion still available for current and future claimants.
- More than 60 asbestos trust funds are active and continue to pay qualifying claimants.
- Asbestos trust fund payouts from a single claim range from $13,000 - $283,000, depending on the trust, diagnosis, exposure history, and payment percentage.
- Most asbestos trust fund payouts are processed within six months, with some claims paid in as little as 90 days depending on the trust and claim type.
- Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may receive payouts from multiple asbestos trust funds.
Factors Impacting Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts
An asbestos trust fund payout is the compensation received after a claim is approved by a bankruptcy trust. These payouts are intended to compensate victims for the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.
Each asbestos bankruptcy trust evaluates claims using its own criteria. Claims are evaluated based on medical and exposure documentation that can influence the final payout value.
After a claim is submitted, the asbestos trust reviews the documentation, determines whether the claim qualifies for mesothelioma compensation, and assigns a value based on its established criteria.
Asbestos trust fund compensation may vary depending on factors including:
- Current payment percentage
- Diagnosis and severity of disease
- Exposure history
- Claimant’s age and life expectancy
- Economic loss
- Jurisdiction
- Law firm’s prior settlement history
Understanding these factors can help explain why payouts for asbestos trust funds differ among claimants and across individual asbestos trusts.
In 2026, more than 60 asbestos trust funds are active and continue to compensate eligible mesothelioma claimants. Individuals may qualify to file claims with multiple trusts based on their exposure history. In many cases, total asbestos claim payouts from multiple trust funds have exceeded $300,000.
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Payment Percentages
An asbestos trust fund payment percentage is the rate applied to an asbestos claim’s assigned value. Asbestos trusts use payment percentages to preserve funds for current and future claims, so claimants typically receive only a percentage of the full claim value. The trusts periodically review and adjust payment percentages based on the available assets and expected future claim volume.
Review Type
Asbestos trust claims are evaluated based on the review process selected, which can affect payout amounts. An experienced asbestos lawyer will assess the claimant’s information to determine the appropriate review process to maximize claim compensation.
Claim review options for most of the active asbestos trust funds include:
- Expedited Review (ER): Claims filed as ER must meet all requirements set forth by the Trust. The claim is reviewed based on the claimant’s diagnosis and is paid at the applicable standard value. ER claims are generally reviewed, processed, and paid quicker than claims submitted under other review options.
- Individual Review (IR): Claims filed as IR undergo a thorough evaluation to determine an individual liquidated value that may be greater or less than the scheduled value according to the applicable disease level. This review option is required for certain lung cancer claims, secondary exposure cases, or when the Trust’s criteria are not met.
Diagnosis and Disease Type
The claimant’s disease type will determine the value of an asbestos trust fund claim. Most asbestos trusts assign a payment value based on the severity of the claimant’s asbestos-related illness. A mesothelioma diagnosis will generally receive the highest scheduled value compensation.
Payout values are generally based on the claimant’s asbestos-related disease:
- mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Pleural disease
- Other cancers
Exposure History
Asbestos trusts consider the claimant’s asbestos exposure history when evaluating a claim and determining compensation. This review may include an assessment of the claimant’s work history, experience with asbestos products, and other exposure-related factors.
Exposure factors that may affect the asbestos trust fund payout for each claim include:
- Claimant’s occupation at the time of asbestos exposure
- Industry in which the claimant worked during the period of asbestos exposure
- Duration of claimant’s asbestos exposure
- Number and types of asbestos-containing products that the claimant was exposed to
Active Asbestos Trust Fund Payment Percentages in 2026
The following asbestos trust funds are active and accepting claims to pay asbestos exposure victims diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma compensation is dependent on the specific payment values and payment percentages associated with each asbestos trust fund.
| Asbestos Trust | Payment Percentage* |
|---|---|
| ABB Lummus Global Inc. 524(g) Asbestos PI Trust | 9.5% |
| A-Best Asbestos Settlement Trust | 18% |
| ACandS Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2.89% |
| APG Asbestos Trust | 6% |
| Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 10.8% |
| Artra 524(g) Asbestos Trust | 0.7% |
| ASARCO Asbestos personal Injury Settlement Trust | 35% |
| Avon Liquidating Trust | N/A |
| Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos PI Trust | 4.3% |
| Bondex Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 29.5% |
| Brauer 524(g) Asbestos Trust | 9.5% |
| Burns & Roe Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 36.87% |
| C.E. Thurston & Sons Asbestos Trust | 50% |
| Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust | 7% |
| Christy Refractories Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 55% |
| Combustion Engineering 524(g) Asbestos PI Trust | 15.3% |
| Congoleum Plan Trust | 8.67% |
| DII Industries, LLC Asbestos Trust: | Halliburton: 60% Harbison-Walker Refractories: 60% |
| Durabla Manufacturing Company and Durabla Canada Ltd. Asbestos Trust | N/A |
| Duro Dyne Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 20% |
| Fairbanks Trust | 10% |
| Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | Turner & Newell: 2.9% Ferodo: 2.9% Flexitallic: 2.9% FMP: 12.2% |
| Flintkote Asbestos Trust | 15% |
| G-I Holdings Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 5% |
| GST Settlement Facility Asbestos Trust (Garlock) | N/A |
| Geo. V Hamilton, Inc. Asbestos Trust | 7% |
| H.K. Porter Company Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust | 3% |
| Hercules Chemical Company, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2% |
| J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust | 50% |
| Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 10.6% |
| Kaiser Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 55.2% |
| Keene Creditors Trust | 1.05% |
| Leslie Controls Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 6.25% |
| Manville Trust | 5.1% |
| Maremont Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 28.4% |
| Metex Asbestos PI Trust (Kentile) | 7.25% |
| MLC Asbestos PI Trust | 10.3% |
| NARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 100% |
| NGC Bodily Injury Trust | 45% |
| NMBFiL, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust (Bondo) | 8.1% |
| Old Revco Talc Personal Injury Liquidating Trust | 60% |
| Owens-Illinois Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 50% |
| Owens Corning/Fibreboard Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | Owens Corning: 4.3% Fibreboard: 3.5% |
| Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 19% |
| Plant Asbestos Settlement Trust | 20% |
| Plibrico 524(g) Asbestos Trust | 0.94% |
| Porter Hayden Bodily Injury Trust | 4% |
| Presperse Asbestos Trust | TBD |
| Quigley Company, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | Non-Releasing: 13.3% Releasing: 3.3% |
| Rapid-American Asbestos Personal Injury Liquidating Trust | 28.26% |
| Raytech Trust | 1.35% |
| Sepco Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 10% |
| Swan Asbestos and Silica Settlement Trust | 14.2% |
| SWC Asbestos Trust | N/A |
| T.H. Agriculture & Nutrition, L.L.C. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 15% |
| Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust | 58.6% |
| U.S. Mineral Products Company Asbestos PI Settlement Trust | 32% |
| United Gilsonite Laboratories Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 3.35% |
| United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 10% |
| Western Asbestos Settlement Trust | 51.1% |
| W.R. Grace Asbestos PI Trust | 30.1% |
| Yarway Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 27.5% |
*Payment percentages may be under review and are subject to change.
Remaining Assets for Larger Asbestos Trust Funds
More than 60 active asbestos trust funds continue to compensate eligible asbestos victims. Of the approximately $30 billion originally established to fund these trusts, more than $17 billion remains available.
The following chart highlights the 10 active asbestos bankruptcy trust funds with the largest remaining assets as of 2026:
| Asbestos Trust | Approximate Assets |
|---|---|
| Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $671 million |
| ASARCO Asbestos personal Injury Settlement Trust | $662 million |
| Bondex Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | $556.5 million |
| DII Industries, LLC Asbestos Trust: | $1.32 billion |
| Manville Trust | $620 million |
| NARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $1.3 billion |
| Owens Corning/Fibreboard Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | $1.3 billion ($80.7 million in OC; $45.4 million in FB) |
| Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $1.11 billion |
| United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $820 million |
| W.R. Grace Asbestos PI Trust | $1.85 billion |
How ELSM Law Can Help
Asbestos trust fund payouts require supporting documentation that complies with the trust's established exposure criteria and review procedures. This helps ensure the claim is properly prepared for evaluation under the trust’s valuation guidelines.
ELSM Law's experienced mesothelioma lawyers will:
- Review your medical records to determine eligibility for asbestos trust fund compensation.
- Investigate your work history, military service, and other sources of asbestos exposure.
- Identify asbestos jobsites, products, and companies linked to your exposure.
- Gather employment records, obtain written testimony confirming asbestos product exposure, and other evidence needed to support your claim.
- Prepare and file asbestos trust fund claims with the required documentation.
- Monitor claim status and communicate with trust administrators throughout the review process to ensure timely payouts.
For more than 40 years, ELSM Law has helped mesothelioma victims and their families pursue asbestos trust fund compensation. As of 2026, our attorneys have filed more than 70,000 asbestos trust fund claims and secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
Trust Fund Payouts Secured by ELSM Law
The following examples show compensation our clients received through multiple asbestos trust funds. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
| Client Profile | Trust Claims Paid | Payout Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Navy Veteran / Boiler Operator in Colorado | ~30 | ~$3 Million |
| Air Force Veteran / Laborer in California | ~20 | ~$2.1 Million |
| Printer / Home Mechanic in New Mexico | ~24 | ~$2.05 Million |
| Navy Veteran / Pipefitter in Connecticut | ~23 | ~$1.05 Million |
| Office Worker / Home Renovator in Texas | ~24 | ~$800,000 |
ELSM Law handles the legal process from start to finish and identifies every trust fund you may be eligible for. Contact us today for a free mesothelioma case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all asbestos trust funds pay the same amount?
No. Each asbestos trust establishes its own scheduled values, payment percentages, and claim review procedures. As a result, payouts can vary significantly from one trust to another.
How are asbestos trust fund payouts calculated?
Asbestos trust fund payouts are calculated by first assigning a claim a value based on the designated review process under which the claim is filed, as well as the claimant’s diagnosis and disease level. That value is then multiplied by the trust's payment percentage. Some claims may qualify for the individual review filing process, which may increase or decrease the claim value.
What is the average payout for asbestos trust funds?
Average asbestos trust fund payouts can range from $10,000 to over $100,000, depending on factors such as the severity of the disease, type of exposure, claimant’s age, and the designated payment percentage set by the asbestos trust.
Who is eligible for payouts from mesothelioma trust funds?
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer after exposure to asbestos company products, you may be eligible for payouts from mesothelioma trust funds. Family members who have experienced secondary asbestos exposure and were diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer may qualify to file asbestos claims through these trust funds.
What is an asbestos trust fund payment percentage?
A payment percentage is the portion of an approved claim's value that a trust pays to claimants. Trusts use payment percentages to help preserve assets so current and future asbestos victims can receive compensation.
Can payment percentages change?
Yes. Asbestos trust funds periodically review their financial position and may increase or decrease payment percentages based on available assets, projected future claims, and other factors. When a trust increases its payment percentage, it may issue supplemental payments to eligible claimants to reflect the updated rate.
Do asbestos trust funds pay a lump sum or installments?
In most cases, asbestos trust funds pay each approved claim with a single lump-sum payment after approval. Some claims may be processed and paid within 90 days. The amount a claimant receives is based on the trust’s payment percentage.
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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