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Johns Manville Trust

From WikiMesothelioma — Mesothelioma Knowledge Base


Johns Manville Trust Quick Facts
America's oldest and largest asbestos trust fund
Payment Rate 5.1% (March 2025)
Meso Scheduled Value $350,000
Actual Meso Payout ~$17,850
Total Claims Paid ~1 Million
Total Distributed $5+ Billion
Administrator CRMC
🛡️ Check Your Eligibility

The Johns Manville Trust is the oldest and largest asbestos bankruptcy trust in the United States, having processed nearly one million claims and distributed over $5 billion in compensation since its establishment in 1988. Originally funded with $2.5 billion, the trust currently maintains $558-630 million in assets and pays 5.1% of scheduled claim values following its March 2025 adjustment. Johns Manville Corporation, founded in 1858 and once the world's largest asbestos manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy protection in 1982 in a landmark case that created the legal framework — codified as Section 524(g) — for all subsequent asbestos trusts. Mesothelioma victims exposed to Johns Manville's signature Transite products, Kaylo insulation, or any of the company's thousands of asbestos-containing materials can file claims while simultaneously pursuing additional compensation through lawsuits and other trust funds.

Johns Manville Trust at a glance:

  • $5.26+ billion distributed — the trust has paid more compensation to asbestos victims than any other single trust fund in U.S. history
  • ~1 million claims processed — by far the most prolific trust, having administered nearly 1 million individual claims since 1988
  • 5.1% current payment rate — the March 2025 adjustment reduced the rate from 5.5%, reflecting ongoing actuarial recalibrations
  • $350,000 mesothelioma scheduled value — the highest base value among major trusts, yielding ~$17,850 per claim at the current 5.1% rate
  • Section 524(g) pioneer — the 1982 Johns Manville bankruptcy created the legal template Congress codified in 1994 for all asbestos trusts
  • CRMC-administered — Claims Resolution Management Corporation manages the trust, having processed over 1.7 million claims across 15+ trusts
  • 90-day to 4-month expedited processing — straightforward mesothelioma claims with proper documentation are resolved within one fiscal quarter
  • 8 disease categories — ranging from Level 1 (non-malignant conditions) to Level 8 (mesothelioma) with specific scheduled values for each
  • Transite, Kaylo, and 1,000+ products — the company manufactured asbestos-containing materials used in virtually every American industry from the 1920s to 1970s
  • $558-630 million remaining assets — the trust is projected to remain operational for 10-20+ years at current payment levels


⚠ Statute of Limitations Warning: Filing deadlines vary by state from 1-6 years from diagnosis. Texas allows 2 years from diagnosis or discovery. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

How Do You File a Claim with the Johns Manville Trust?

The Johns Manville Trust offers two claim review options:

Expedited Review (Faster, Fixed Amount)

  • Processing time: Typically 90 days to 4 months
  • Fixed payment based on disease category
  • No individual assessment of case specifics
  • Best for: Straightforward cases with clear documentation

Individual Review (Longer, Potentially Higher)

  • Processing time: 4-12 months or longer
  • Case-specific evaluation
  • May receive higher compensation based on:
    • Severity of disease
    • Economic losses (lost wages, medical costs)
    • Extent of documented exposure
  • Best for: Complex cases or exceptional circumstances

Required Documentation:

  • Pathology report confirming diagnosis
  • Medical records and imaging studies
  • Employment history with dates and locations
  • Product identification evidence
  • Witness affidavits from co-workers (when available)
  • Death certificate (for wrongful death claims)

Which Occupations Had the Highest Johns Manville Exposure?

Johns Manville products were used across virtually every American industry, but certain occupations faced particularly intense exposure:

Highest Risk Occupations:

  • Shipyard workers (Kaylo and marine insulation)
  • Insulation installers and removers
  • Construction workers
  • Boilermakers and pipefitters
  • Electricians
  • HVAC technicians
  • Brake mechanics (brake linings)
  • Roofers (shingles and roofing materials)
  • Factory workers at JM facilities

Industries with Extensive JM Product Use:

  • Naval shipbuilding (WWII through Vietnam era)
  • Commercial construction
  • Power generation plants
  • Oil refineries
  • Chemical plants
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • Railroad industry
"Growing up in Pasadena near the refineries, we saw Johns Manville products everywhere. These companies knew for decades that their insulation was killing workers, but they kept selling it anyway. Every claim we help file honors the workers who deserved better." — Larry Gates, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Can You File Both a Trust Claim and a Lawsuit?

Yes. Filing a Johns Manville Trust claim does not prevent you from pursuing:

  • Other Trust Fund Claims: Most mesothelioma victims qualify for 5-15 different trust funds
  • Lawsuits Against Solvent Companies: Companies that haven't declared bankruptcy can still be sued directly
  • VA Benefits: Veterans can claim VA disability benefits alongside trust compensation
  • Workers' Compensation: In most states, trust fund payments don't affect workers' comp eligibility
⚠️ Coordination Required: Some states require disclosure of trust fund payments during lawsuit discovery. Experienced asbestos attorneys coordinate these filings to maximize total recovery while complying with all legal requirements.

What Is the Future Outlook for the Johns Manville Trust?

The Johns Manville Trust is projected to remain operational for 10-20+ years based on current payment rates and claim projections. Key considerations:

Trust Sustainability:

  • Current assets: $558-630 million
  • Payment percentage adjusted to preserve long-term solvency
  • Approximately 10-20 year projected sustainability at current levels

Ongoing Concerns:

  • Document destruction policies may affect future claims
  • Payment percentages have trended downward over time
  • Claimants should file without delay to preserve rights

Get Help Filing Your Johns Manville Trust Claim

🛡️ Free Johns Manville Trust Claim Review
Our team has helped recover compensation from the Johns Manville Trust for decades. We handle all paperwork, coordinate with other trust claims, and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
📞 Call (866) 222-9990

References and Citations

This article draws from trust fund documentation, court records, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, GAO reports on asbestos compensation, and RAND Corporation studies on asbestos bankruptcy trusts. Payment percentages and asset levels current as of January 2025.

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