Asbestos Trust Fund Quick Reference
Asbestos Trust Fund Quick Reference
Overview
Asbestos trust funds were established by companies that filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos liability, creating court-supervised compensation pools for current and future victims.[1] Over 60 active trusts hold more than $30 billion in remaining assets designated for claimants.[2] Mesothelioma claimants typically receive the highest payment levels, known as "scheduled values," because of the strong causal link between asbestos exposure and the disease.[3] An experienced attorney can file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously, often recovering $100,000 to $400,000 or more in combined trust fund compensation.[4]
Key Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Active Trusts | 60+[1] |
| Total Remaining Assets | $30+ billion[2] |
| Total Paid Out (Historical) | $20+ billion[5] |
| Mesothelioma Scheduled Value Range | $25,000 - $250,000+ per trust[3] |
| Average Total Trust Recovery | $100,000 - $400,000 (across multiple trusts)[4] |
| Filing Deadline | Varies by trust (typically 2-3 years from diagnosis)[3] |
| Payment Percentage | Varies 2% - 100% depending on trust solvency[1] |
| Claims Per Patient | 15-25 trusts typically filed[3] |
| Processing Time | 3-12 months per trust[2] |
| Attorney Needed? | Strongly recommended[4] |
Major Asbestos Trust Funds
| Trust Name | Company | Scheduled Mesothelioma Value | Payment Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns-Manville Trust | Johns-Manville Corp. | $181,846 | 5.1%[3] |
| Owens Corning / Fibreboard | Owens Corning | $200,000 | 4.7%[3] |
| USG Asbestos Trust | USG Corporation | $175,000 | 11%[3] |
| W.R. Grace Trust | W.R. Grace & Co. | $238,100 | 30.1%[3] |
| Pittsburgh Corning Trust | Pittsburgh Corning Corp. | $250,000 | 19%[6] |
| Armstrong World Industries | Armstrong World Industries | $180,000 | 10.8%[7] |
| Celotex Trust | Celotex Corporation | $200,000 | 7%[3] |
| Combustion Engineering | Combustion Engineering Inc. | $200,000 | 25-30%[7] |
| Babcock & Wilcox | Babcock & Wilcox Co. | $175,000 | 4.7%[6] |
| NARCO Trust | North American Refractories Co. | $238,000 | 100%[3] |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are asbestos trust funds?
Asbestos trust funds are court-established compensation programs created under Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.[1] When asbestos manufacturers faced overwhelming litigation, bankruptcy courts required them to set aside funds to pay current and future victims before granting liability protection.[5]
How much can I receive from asbestos trust funds?
Mesothelioma claimants typically recover $100,000 to $400,000 in combined payments across multiple trusts.[4] Individual trust payments depend on the scheduled disease value and the current payment percentage for that trust.[3]
How do I file an asbestos trust fund claim?
Filing requires documenting your asbestos exposure to the specific bankrupt company's products, providing medical records confirming your diagnosis, and submitting trust-specific claim forms.[3] Most claimants use the expedited review process, which handles 97-98% of claims within 90 days.[2]
How many trust funds can I file with?
Most mesothelioma patients file with 15 to 25 different trusts based on their exposure history.[3] Workers in high-exposure trades such as insulation, boilermaking, and pipefitting often qualify for the greatest number of trusts.[6]
Do I need an attorney to file trust fund claims?
While not legally required, attorney representation is strongly recommended. Self-represented claimants recover an estimated 50-70% less than professionally represented victims because they typically file with fewer trusts and miss secondary exposure sources.[4]
How long does it take to receive trust fund payments?
Expedited review claims are typically processed within 3 to 6 months.[2] Individual review, which may yield higher payments for strong claims, can take 6 to 12 months or longer.[3]
Can I file a trust fund claim AND a lawsuit?
Yes. Trust fund claims and lawsuits against solvent defendants are separate legal processes that can be pursued simultaneously.[3] This dual-track strategy typically maximizes total compensation, as trust fund payments provide immediate relief while litigation proceeds.[4]
Quick Statistics
- Over 60 active asbestos bankruptcy trusts remain operational in the United States[1]
- More than $30 billion in trust assets remain available for current and future claimants[2]
- Trusts have paid out more than $20 billion to approximately 3.3 million claimants since 1988[5]
- Mesothelioma is classified as the highest disease level (Level 8) across most trust distribution procedures[3]
- The NARCO Trust is the only major trust paying 100% of scheduled values[3]
- Payment percentages across trusts range from approximately 2% to 100%, depending on trust solvency[1]
- An experienced attorney can identify 15-25 qualifying trusts based on a single patient's work history[4]
- Expedited review achieves a 97-98% approval rate when filed with proper documentation[2]
Get Help
Related Pages
- Asbestos Trust Funds — Comprehensive trust fund overview
- Asbestos Trust Funds Master Database — Complete database of all active trusts
- Mesothelioma Claim Process — Step-by-step filing guide
- Mesothelioma Lawsuits — Litigation options alongside trust claims
- Settlement Values by State — State-by-state settlement data
- Statute of Limitations by State — Filing deadline reference
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 U.S. Government Accountability Office, "Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts," GAO-11-819, September 2011. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-11-819
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 RAND Institute for Civil Justice, "Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: An Overview of Trust Structure, Claims Filing, and Compensation," 2010. https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR872.html
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 Danziger & De Llano, LLP. Asbestos Trust Fund Resources. https://dandell.com/asbestos-trust-funds/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Mesothelioma Lawyers Near Me. Trust Fund Filing Guide. https://mesotheliomalawyersnearme.com/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 RAND Institute for Civil Justice, "Asbestos Litigation Costs and Compensation: An Interim Report," 2005. https://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/DB397.html
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mesothelioma.net. Asbestos Trust Funds for Mesothelioma Patients. https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-asbestos-trust-funds/
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mesothelioma Lawyer Center. Asbestos Manufacturers and Trust Funds. https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-asbestos-trust-funds/
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This quick reference page is maintained by WikiMesothelioma.com and updated as trust fund payment percentages change. Last reviewed: February 2026.