Mesothelioma & Asbestos Trust Funds

What Are Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts?

Asbestos trust funds refer to money set aside by bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-containing products for victims with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Our mesothelioma attorneys can identify the asbestos-containing products responsible for your illness — and pursue compensation from the companies that made them.

Filing an asbestos trust fund claim:

• Results in compensation faster than a mesothelioma lawsuit
• Can be filed from the comfort of your own home
• Doesn’t require you to testify in court
• Awards an average payout of $300,000-400,000 total

Depending on your exposure history, you may be able to get payouts from multiple trust funds, as well as a mesothelioma lawsuit.

At Sokolove Law, many of our clients start receiving compensation from asbestos trust funds in as few as 90 days after contacting us. We’ll work tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.

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Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.3 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.

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$30 Billion Still in Mesothelioma Trust Funds

Between 1988 and 2011, more than 60 asbestos trust funds were established, containing approximately $37 Billion in total assets, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Since then, at least 23 additional trusts have been created — adding even more funds for those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

To date, more than $17 Billion has been paid out to victims and their families, and an estimated $30 Billion remains available in mesothelioma trust funds today.

A few more recently formed trusts and their estimated funds include:

• Avon Liquidation Trust, $31 Million
• North American Refractories Asbestos Trust, $6.32 Billion
• Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust, $3.4 Billion
• Quigley Asbestos Trust, $596 Million
• W.R. Grace Asbestos Trust, $2.978 Billion

As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law knows the hardship mesothelioma brings on families like yours, and we're committed to fighting for the results you need to provide financial security during this difficult time.

“The first settlement check took all the pressure off. So I had time to concentrate on the things that are important, like my family and my treatment.”
– David, Farmer with Mesothelioma & Firm Client

Who Can Pursue Asbestos Claim Payouts?

Anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may be eligible for compensation from asbestos claim payouts.

You may be able to file a mesothelioma fund claim if you:

• Have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease
• Are the spouse or immediate family member of the patient
• Represent the victim’s estate

Even if your loved one has passed away, you may still be able to file a mesothelioma fund claim on their behalf and recover compensation for the harm caused by asbestos exposure.

Not sure if you qualify? Our team is available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options and determine all of the compensation options available to you.

"I really appreciate Sokolove Law. They help you, and they treat you like a person and not a number."
– Dennis, Construction Worker with Mesothelioma & Firm Client

Sokolove Law: Maximizing Asbestos Claim Payouts Since 1979

At Sokolove Law, our asbestos attorneys have databases of evidence that can establish which manufacturers are at fault for your illness. We’ll pursue compensation from every avenue available to you if you have a case.

Our dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate team of legal professionals can handle every aspect of filing an asbestos trust claim on your behalf, so you can focus on your health and loved ones.

Learn how our asbestos trust fund lawyers stand out from the rest: 

• Decades of Experience: For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has helped mesothelioma patients and their families get the results they deserve.
• Billions of Dollars in Results: We’ve recovered over $5.3 Billion on behalf of clients with mesothelioma and their families.
• Databases of Products and Job Sites with Asbestos: Our team can determine when, where, and how your exposure to asbestos took place, in addition to identifying the companies responsible for your illness.
• Thousands Helped Nationwide: We’ve helped over 9,200 clients with mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease across the country — more than any other asbestos law firm.
• Dedicated Team on Your Side: Clients at Sokolove Law work with a team of experienced legal and medical professionals, including a senior partner, multiple asbestos attorneys, registered nurses, paralegals, and investigators.
• No Hourly Fees or Financial Risks: Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis, which means we only get paid if your case results in compensation.

Our firm will use every resource at our disposal to maximize the compensation you may receive from asbestos trust fund payouts.

Average Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts in 2025

Mesothelioma trusts pay out different amounts of compensation depending on a patient’s diagnosis and exposure history. The average payout for asbestos trust funds is between $300,000 and $400,000 in total.

In some cases, asbestos claims can amount to $750,000 or more, though that amount will vary greatly based on the unique details of each claim.

Depending on how many products you were exposed to, you may be able to file multiple trust fund claims, which can increase your total results.

Working with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is the best way to maximize how much you may get from asbestos trust payouts, since you need to prove you were exposed to the company's products to qualify.

Active Asbestos Trust Fund List

As of November 2025, there are more than 60 active asbestos trust funds in the United States. Find out about which companies have filed for bankruptcy and been ordered to set aside money for victims in asbestos settlement trust funds.

Don’t see the company that made the products you were exposed to listed above? It doesn’t mean you don’t have a potential case or can’t access mesothelioma compensation.

At Sokolove Law, we can identify all of the asbestos trusts you qualify for and pursue compensation from each one, leaving no potential payout unclaimed.

How to File Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

With experienced legal representation, filing an asbestos trust fund claim can be a surprisingly straightforward process, one that we can help you navigate every step of the way — at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

When you work with Sokolove Law, your legal team can:

• Conduct an investigation to identify the asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to
• Gather evidence about your work history and the products you were around
• Collaborate with expert witnesses to prove your diagnosis and exposure
• File your asbestos claims with any trusts established by the companies responsible for your illness
• Secure asbestos trust fund payouts on your behalf once the claim is liquidated

In many cases, you can file both an asbestos trust claim and a mesothelioma lawsuit to maximize your potential payout and hold all of the companies responsible for your illness accountable.

Our mesothelioma lawyers can help determine if you are still eligible and file your claim in time.

Asbestos Claim Payouts & Compensation Options

Based on your work history and the data collected by our mesothelioma lawyers, we can often link asbestos exposure to several products, potentially manufactured, sold, and distributed by different companies.

Because of this, you may qualify for compensation from multiple sources, like:

• Asbestos claim payouts: Clients are often entitled to payouts from multiple asbestos bankruptcy trusts, which were established by companies that filed for bankruptcy.
• Mesothelioma lawsuit settlements and verdicts: Compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit is worth more than $1 Million on average. Victims and their families may be able to file a lawsuit against any non-bankrupt companies that played a role in their exposure.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for monthly disability payments worth over $3,800 and free health care. Filing an asbestos legal claim won’t impact your VA benefits.

By pursuing all avenues, our asbestos lawyers can fight for the most compensation possible on your behalf after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Amounts Awarded from Mesothelioma Trust Funds

In one case, a former operating engineer who was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma received $187,438 from mesothelioma trust funds.

His legal team used his work history to identify several asbestos-containing products he was exposed to throughout his career and tracked down the companies that made or sold these products.

Because some of the companies responsible for his exposure hadn’t filed for bankruptcy, he was also able to pursue asbestos lawsuits against them, bringing his total compensation to more than $2 Million.

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Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.3 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.

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Asbestos Claim Payout Timeline

While the asbestos claim payout timeline will vary for each case, many victims begin receiving compensation in as few as 90 days.

Asbestos trust fund claims often provide victims with much-needed compensation sooner than a mesothelioma lawsuit because of how they’re paid out.

Asbestos trust funds review and pay out claims in two ways: 

• Expedited review: If you meet certain requirements, you can receive a fixed amount of money from the trust fund. This helps victims get funds sooner.
• Individual review: If your case is more complex, administrators will carefully study your medical records and asbestos history. While these reviews take longer, they work to provide meaningful compensation for those with less straightforward cases.

The majority of asbestos trust fund claims undergo an expedited review, while only 2-3% of all claims undergo an individual review. Your legal team can recommend which type of claim review is best based on the facts of your case.

“Trust fund claims can move very fast, and they can be paid out very soon. I’ve seen as early as 6 weeks, but the norm is probably 2 or 3 months.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law

Asbestos Trust Payment Percentages

Asbestos payment percentages refer to the portion of a claim that an asbestos trust actually pays to a claimant. These percentages are used to make sure future victims can also access compensation from these trusts.

Examples of current payment percentages from asbestos trusts include:

• Bondex Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: 29.5%
• Federal Mogul Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: 12.2%
• Flintkote Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: 15%
• Garlock Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: None
• Halliburton Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: 60% 
• Johns Manville Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: 5.1% 
• NARCO Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage: 100%

Please note: These percentages are subject to change over time depending on the amount of money still available in the trust.

Play Video

Video Summary: Asbestos trust funds allow current and future mesothelioma victims to pursue compensation from companies that have declared bankruptcy. View Transcript.

For all of these companies that knew they were poisoning people, there were people that we can't file lawsuits against because at some point, they filed for bankruptcy protection. In those cases, many of those companies have established a trust fund unique to each one of the manufacturers, is not one big fund for the purpose of paying individuals who have been harmed by their products. If they have a trust fund, then that claim is separate from filing a lawsuit. Lawyers are going to be best to identify who those trusts are and to fill out the paperwork in a proper way to make sure that you actually get the money that's been sitting there in a trust for you. The only choice you have is to file a claim with the bankruptcy trust administrator. Those can move very fast, they can be paid very soon. So, I've seen those as early as six weeks but the norm is probably two or three months. Make sure you actually look into whether there is a claim or not there are time limits, if you wait, you could lose out. If you're fearful about seeing a lawyer and you're apprehensive about it because you don't want to sign anything, you don't want to commit anything, I'm not ready. Emotionally all understandable, we see it every day it doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to us. Reach out, talk to a lawyer and find out if maybe there is a case. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Sokolove Law is here to help. Call us today at 800-647-3434.

Pursue Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts Now

As one of the first truly national asbestos firms, Sokolove Law has a network of offices, licensed attorneys in nearly every state, and decades of experience and asbestos exposure evidence that not every firm can boast.

We have the resources and experience needed to determine which companies are responsible for your asbestos exposure and pursue payouts from their trust funds on your behalf.

Over the past 45 years, we’ve secured more than $5.3 Billion for families affected by mesothelioma.

Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free case review. Don’t miss out on the money you deserve.

Asbestos Trust Fund Settlement FAQs