Mesothelioma and Asbestos Trust Funds
Nemeroff Law has secured millions from asbestos bankruptcy trusts for people diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. Our attorneys identify every trust fund you qualify for and file all claims simultaneously to maximize your recovery.
What Are Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trust Funds?
When asbestos companies declare bankruptcy, courts may require them to create financial reserves, called asbestos trust funds, to compensate people they’ve harmed. These trusts exist to pay people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, ensuring financial support remains available even after the responsible companies can no longer operate. Each trust operates under strict legal guidelines designed to fairly distribute compensation to current and future claimants based on their exposure history and medical diagnosis.
An estimated $30 billion remains available across more than 60 active trusts, representing one of the largest sources of compensation for mesothelioma patients in the United States. Johns Manville, W.R. Grace, Owens Corning and hundreds of other manufacturers that used asbestos in their products for decades each created trusts as part of their bankruptcy reorganization plans. The law required them to set aside this money specifically for people their products harmed.
That wave of corporate bankruptcies began in the 1980s and continued through the 2000s as companies faced thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits. The trust system ensures compensation remains available for decades, including for people who haven’t yet been diagnosed but will develop mesothelioma due to past asbestos exposure.
Trust fund claims offer several practical advantages over traditional lawsuits: faster processing times, no requirement to appear in court and the ability to file multiple claims simultaneously while also pursuing litigation against non-bankrupt companies. Families can access trust fund compensation while continuing to seek additional recovery through lawsuits, allowing them to pursue every available source at the same time.
How Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts Work
Most trusts offer two ways to review claims. Expedited review provides a set payout amount for claims that meet straightforward criteria and typically moves faster. Individual review takes longer but allows for a more detailed evaluation of your specific circumstances and can result in higher compensation.
Trusts pay out a percentage of what’s called a base claim value, a starting dollar amount the trust assigns based on your diagnosis and exposure history, rather than paying that full amount directly. The percentage each trust pays varies and is designed to keep funds available for future claimants. Johns Manville, for example, currently pays 5.1% of base claim values while NARCO pays 100%.
Claimants can file with multiple trusts at the same time if they were exposed to products from more than one bankrupt company. Claims can be filed from home without any court appearances and can be pursued alongside lawsuits against companies that remain financially active.
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Active Asbestos Trust Fund List
More than 60 asbestos trust funds remain active today, and new trusts continue to form as additional companies face asbestos litigation. These trusts collectively hold billions of dollars reserved for people diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families.
| Company Name | Trust Fund Name | Year Created | Initial Funding |
| A.P. Green Industries | APG Asbestos Trust Fund | 2013 | n/a |
| Amatex Corporation | Amatex Asbestos Trust | 1990 | $16 Million |
| Armstrong World Industries | Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2007 | $2 Billion |
| ASARCO | ASARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2009 | $900 Million |
| Babcock & Wilcox | Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2006 | $1.85 Billion |
| Celotex Corporation | Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust | 1998 | $1.5 Billion |
| Combustion Engineering | Combustion Engineering Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2006 | $1.43 Billion |
| Federal Mogul | Federal Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2007 | n/a |
| Garlock Sealing Technologies | Garlock Settlement Facility | 2018 | n/a |
| J.T. Thorpe Company | J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust | 2006 | n/a |
| Johns Manville | Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 1988 | $2.5 Billion |
| Kaiser Aluminum | Kaiser Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2006 | $1.2 Billion |
| Leslie Controls | Leslie Controls Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2011 | n/a |
| NARCO | NARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | 2013 | $6.32 Billion |
| Owens Corning | Owens Corning Fiberglas Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2006 | n/a |
| Pfizer (Quigley Company) | The Quigley Company Inc. Trust | 2014 | n/a |
| Pittsburgh Corning | Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2016 | n/a |
| Shook & Fletcher Insulation | Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2002 | $109 Million |
| W.R. Grace | W.R. Grace and Company Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | 2014 | $3 Billion |
| Western MacArthur | Western Asbestos Settlement Trust | 2004 | $2 Billion |
Many asbestos companies changed names, merged with other corporations or were acquired in the decades since exposure occurred. Nemeroff Law maintains proprietary databases that track those corporate histories, allowing our attorneys to identify all trust funds a client may qualify for regardless of how company ownership changed over time.
Who Is Eligible to File an Asbestos Trust Fund Claim?
Filing an asbestos trust fund claim requires two things: a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, and documented exposure to products from the specific company that established the trust. Each trust has its own qualifying criteria and disease categories, with mesothelioma typically receiving the highest mesothelioma compensation given that asbestos exposure is the sole known cause.
Eligible Claimants Include
- Children and dependents: May be eligible for compensation based on a deceased loved one’s exposure and diagnosis.
- Estate representatives: Can file wrongful death claims on behalf of a deceased loved one diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
- People with a diagnosis: Those with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or other asbestos-related diseases who can demonstrate exposure to the trust company’s products.
- Spouses and family members: Those who developed disease from secondary exposure, such as washing contaminated work clothes or living with someone who brought asbestos fibers home.
Supporting a trust fund claim requires documentation establishing both the medical diagnosis and the exposure history. This typically includes pathology reports confirming the diagnosis, employment records showing work at sites where the trust company’s products were used and witness statements or other materials identifying specific products encountered. Exposure evidence can include employment documents, union records, co-worker testimony and product identification materials.
Many people worry they can’t file trust fund claims because they don’t remember specific product names or manufacturers from decades ago. Nemeroff Law’s investigators specialize in reconstructing exposure histories using employment records, witness interviews, historical product databases and site-specific research. This process identifies every potential trust fund claim even when product recollection is limited. Claims can also be filed after a patient’s passing, ensuring families retain access to compensation.
How Nemeroff Law Can Help You File an Asbestos Trust Fund Claim
Nemeroff Law Firm has recovered more than $650 million for mesothelioma families nationwide across more than 3,000 cases. Our attorneys have spent decades focused specifically on asbestos trust fund claims.
What We Bring to Trust Fund Claims
- Exposure investigation: Comprehensive research using our proprietary databases to identify all potential trust fund sources, even when clients don’t recall specific product names.
- Proprietary databases: Asbestos product records that link specific products to job sites, employers and corresponding trust funds.
- Simultaneous filing: The ability to file multiple claims across dozens of trusts at the same time to maximize total recovery.
- Trust administrator relationships: Established connections that help expedite claim processing and resolve documentation issues.
- Trust fund specialists: Dedicated attorneys who understand the filing requirements, payment schedules and approval processes for each individual trust.
Our attorneys come to you, whether at home, in the hospital or wherever is most convenient during treatment. We maintain offices in New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Houston and Salt Lake City for clients who prefer in-person consultations. Our team includes medical experts who establish the connection between exposure and diagnosis, experienced investigators who gather exposure evidence and dedicated paralegals who manage complex documentation across multiple trust fund claims.
Our Process
Nemeroff Law manages every step of the trust fund claims process on your behalf, from initial evidence gathering through final distribution, so no potential compensation source is overlooked. We handle all paperwork and communications with trust administrators and keep you informed of progress along the way.
1. Free case evaluation: Our attorneys review your diagnosis and conduct an initial assessment of your exposure history to determine eligibility for trust fund claims.
2. Comprehensive investigation and evidence gathering: We identify all potential exposure sources using our proprietary databases, gather employment records, interview witnesses and pinpoint every applicable trust fund.
3. Medical documentation preparation: Our team obtains and organizes all necessary medical records, pathology reports and diagnostic materials required to support your claim.
4. Strategic claim preparation: We complete detailed claim forms for each qualifying trust and determine whether expedited or individual review best serves your case.
5. Filing and active follow-up: Our specialists submit claims to multiple trusts simultaneously and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
6. Compensation distribution: We coordinate distributions from multiple trust sources and ensure payments reach you as quickly as possible once claims are approved.
Nemeroff Law works on a contingency fee basis for all trust fund claims. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your case. We advance all costs associated with evidence gathering, medical records and claim preparation, and we keep you informed of progress throughout the process.
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Compensation Available Through Mesothelioma Trust Funds
Trust fund payouts vary based on the specific disease diagnosed, the extent and duration of asbestos exposure, the individual trust’s payment criteria and the strength of supporting evidence. Mesothelioma cases typically receive the highest awards. Total compensation depends in part on how many trusts a claimant qualifies for, as each trust pays independently based on exposure to that company’s products.
Compensation Factors Include
- Disease-specific base awards: Mesothelioma typically receives higher amounts than asbestosis or pleural plaques
- Extraordinary claims provisions: For cases involving unusual exposure patterns or particularly severe circumstances
- Malignancy multipliers: Increase awards for cancer diagnoses
- No insurance deductions: No deductions for medical expenses already covered by insurance or other sources
- Personal factors: Adjustments based on age, number of dependents and disease severity at diagnosis
According to RAND Corporation, trust fund payouts average around $180,000 to $200,000 per trust. Clients with exposure to products from multiple manufacturers may qualify to file with dozens of trusts, and total recovery across all claims can be substantially higher. Nemeroff Law’s thorough investigation process focuses on identifying every trust fund source available to each client.
Trust fund compensation can be pursued at the same time as lawsuits against non-bankrupt companies, VA disability benefits for veterans and workers’ compensation claims. Payment percentages vary by trust, but even reduced percentages can represent meaningful compensation, particularly when claims are filed across multiple trusts.
Timeline for Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts
Many Nemeroff Law clients receive their first trust fund payments within 90 days of filing, though timelines vary depending on the specific trust, the complexity of the claim and the review process selected. Expedited review claims with complete documentation typically process in 30 to 90 days. Individual review claims require more detailed evaluation and generally take 6 to 12 months.
Typical Trust Fund Claims Timeline
- 1 to 2 weeks for initial case evaluation
- 4 to 8 weeks for evidence gathering and claim preparation
- 30 to 90 days for expedited review or 6 to 12 months for individual review
- 2 to 4 weeks for payment processing after approval
Thorough initial preparation matters, as trusts may request additional documentation when claims are incomplete. Each trust has its own filing deadlines, so consulting with an attorney promptly after diagnosis helps ensure all claims are filed on time.
Let Nemeroff Law Help You Access Asbestos Trust Funds
Nemeroff Law has helped thousands of families access compensation they didn’t know was available to them. Our experienced lawyers handle that work so you and your family don’t have to.
There is no upfront cost and no obligation to move forward after your initial consultation. If we take your case, we get to work immediately identifying every trust fund you qualify for and filing all claims on your behalf. You won’t owe anything unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Trust Funds
Nemeroff Law works on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs. You pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation. We also advance all costs associated with gathering evidence, obtaining medical records and preparing claims.
Yes. Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to products from multiple manufacturers over the course of their careers, making them eligible for compensation from several trusts simultaneously. Each trust pays independently based on exposure to that specific company’s products. Nemeroff Law identifies all qualifying trust fund sources and files claims across all applicable trusts.
This is common and it doesn’t prevent you from filing. Nemeroff Law maintains proprietary databases that link job sites, employers and time periods to specific asbestos-containing products and their corresponding trust funds. Our investigators reconstruct exposure histories using employment records, witness interviews, union documents and historical product information.
Yes. Surviving family members can file trust fund claims on behalf of a loved one diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. Spouses, children or estate representatives typically have legal standing to pursue wrongful death claims, which can recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs and loss of financial support. Claims can be filed after a patient’s passing as long as the applicable filing deadlines haven’t expired.
Each trust has its own filing deadlines, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible after diagnosis is the best way to ensure all claims are filed on time.
D. Carl Money
D. Carl Money is a mesothelioma trial attorney and retired Army Lt. Col. licensed in TX, NY and the UK.