Babcock and Wilcox Asbestos Trust: Revision history

Q: What is the Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Trust?

The Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust is a Section 524(g) bankruptcy trust established February 22, 2006, following the Chapter 11 reorganization of The Babcock & Wilcox Company and affiliated debtors. It pays asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death claims arising from exposure to B&W products, including boilers. The trust began accepting claims July 17, 2006 and has paid more than $1.94 billion to over 403,000 claimants.

Q: What is the current Babcock & Wilcox trust payment percentage?

The current payment percentage is 4.7%, effective November 7, 2024. On May 7, 2026, the Trustees issued a Notice of Reconsideration under TDP Section 4.2. The earliest effective date for any new rate is June 6, 2026. Until a new rate is adopted, the 4.7% rate applies to all claims. Verify the current rate at bwasbestostrust.com/news/ before filing.

Q: Who is eligible to file a claim with the B&W trust?

Eligible claimants must have a qualifying asbestos-related disease (mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis), document exposure to B&W-supplied asbestos-containing products, and meet the Significant Occupational Exposure standard: 5+ cumulative years with at least 2 years before December 31, 1982 in a qualifying industry. Secondary-exposure family members may also qualify. The exposure site must appear on the trust's Approved Site List.

Q: How much can I receive from the Babcock & Wilcox trust?

Expedited Review mesothelioma claims pay approximately $4,230 (the $90,000 scheduled value times the 4.7% payment percentage). Individual Review mesothelioma claims can pay up to approximately $18,800 ($400,000 maximum times 4.7%). Most B&W claimants file with multiple trusts simultaneously; the average total combined trust-fund recovery for mesothelioma is $300,000 to $400,000 across 10 or more trusts.

Q: What products or work sites qualify for B&W trust claims?

Qualifying products are asbestos-containing items supplied, specified, manufactured, installed, maintained, or repaired by B&W, including boilers. Qualifying work sites must appear on the trust's Approved Site List (updated October 28, 2025). Eligible occupations include boilermaker, pipefitter, machinist, welder, electrician, shipyard worker, Navy or military personnel, and power-generation workers.

Q: Can Navy veterans file claims with the Babcock & Wilcox trust?

Yes. Navy veterans are among the highest-priority B&W claimant categories. B&W boilers and pressure equipment were widely installed on mid-20th-century U.S. Navy vessels. Boilermen, Machinist's Mates, Pipefitters, Hull Maintenance Technicians, and Seabees with documented service-era exposure typically qualify. Veterans should also file VA disability benefits and parallel trust claims against other manufacturers to maximize total recovery.

Q: What is the difference between Expedited Review and Individual Review at the B&W trust?

Expedited Review evaluates claims against TDP scheduled values ($90,000 for mesothelioma) and pays the scheduled value times the current payment percentage, with a lower documentation burden and faster timeline. Individual Review evaluates each claim individually with a potential maximum of $400,000 for mesothelioma, but requires more documentation and takes longer. Most claimants use Expedited Review; Individual Review is recommended for high-value cases.

Q: How long does it take to receive payment from the B&W trust?

Most Expedited Review claims process within 3 to 6 months after filing. Across the 524(g) trust ecosystem, 97 to 98 percent of claims are processed via Expedited Review. Individual Review takes longer. The trust's contact for claim status inquiries is 800-708-8925 or claimantrelations@delcpf.com.

Q: Should I file a B&W trust claim, a lawsuit, or both?

Both — in nearly every case. Trust claims and civil lawsuits target different defendants and do not offset each other in most jurisdictions. The combined recovery substantially exceeds either pathway alone. Average civil lawsuit settlements for mesothelioma are $1 million to $1.4 million; combined trust fund recoveries average $300,000 to $400,000. An attorney coordinates both pathways alongside any applicable VA disability claim.

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14 May 2026

13 May 2026