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] |
What Are the Most Common Questions About Asbestos Trust Funds?
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/
This quick reference page is maintained by WikiMesothelioma.com and updated as trust fund payment percentages change. Last reviewed: February 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many asbestos trust funds exist and how much is available to victims?
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. Over 60 active trusts hold more than $30 billion in remaining assets designated for claimants.
How much can mesothelioma victims receive from asbestos trust funds?
Quick reference guide to asbestos trust funds. Over 60 active trusts with $30+ billion remaining. Average payouts, filing process, and how to claim compensation.
How do I file an asbestos trust fund claim?
Filing a trust fund claim requires identifying which companies exposed you to asbestos, gathering medical documentation (pathology report, exposure history), and submitting claims to each relevant trust. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can file multiple claims simultaneously — often recovering $100,000–$400,000 or more in combined compensation. Trust fund claims are separate from lawsuit settlements and do not prevent you from pursuing other legal remedies.