Mesothelioma & Asbestos Trust Funds

When manufacturers of asbestos-containing products file for bankruptcy, they must set aside compensation for current and future asbestos victims in asbestos trust funds.

As of June 2023, an estimated $30 Billion is available in these trusts. For more than 40 years, Sokolove Law has helped thousands pursue a portion of this money — without going to court.

See If You Qualify Now

What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?

Couple Seeking legal Counsel

Asbestos trust funds are a type of compensation set aside for victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

For decades, manufacturers of asbestos-containing products tried to limit their liability for asbestos-related diseases by filing for protection under bankruptcy laws.

However, courts required asbestos-related companies that filed for bankruptcy to set aside money in asbestos trusts to pay current and future victims.

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

Call Sokolove Law right now at (800) 647-3434 to see if you qualify for compensation from one or more mesothelioma trust funds.

$30 Billion

Estimated Amount in Asbestos Trust Funds

Filing an asbestos claim against a bankruptcy settlement trust typically moves faster through the legal system. You also won't have to give a deposition or go to court to receive compensation.

At Sokolove Law, we know the hardship mesothelioma brings on families like yours, which is why we're dedicated to fighting for the results you deserve.

Get Compensation Without Going to Court

Our mesothelioma lawyers can determine if you’re eligible for asbestos trust fund compensation — at no cost to you.

See If You Qualify

Who Is Eligible to File Asbestos Trust Claims?

Mesothelioma patients or immediate family members on their behalf may be eligible to receive compensation from the manufacturers of dangerous asbestos products that caused the disease.

Even if your loved one is deceased, as their spouse or family member, you may be able to file an asbestos trust fund claim.

In short, the following people may be able to file an asbestos trust fund claim:

Not sure if you qualify? Get a free, no-obligation case review or call (800) 647-3434 today. We can listen to your story and help you understand your legal options.

How to File Mesothelioma 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.

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

  • Gather information about your work history and potential asbestos exposure
  • Conduct a thorough investigation to identify the asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to
  • Find the evidence needed to prove your asbestos exposure and diagnosis
  • Collect testimony (affidavit, sworn statement, or deposition) from people with knowledge of the exposure
  • File asbestos claims with any trusts established by the companies responsible for your exposure
  • Secure asbestos trust fund payouts on your behalf once the claim is liquidated

In some circumstances, claimants may file an asbestos trust claim and a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Filing both legal claims may be an option when a single asbestos-related illness was caused by several companies’ negligence. It can also maximize the amount of compensation victims are able to receive.

Don't Miss Out on Your Chance!

However, the time that you have to file a claim is limited, as states have different time limits for filing known as the statute of limitations. If you delay, you could miss your shot at justice. Our mesothelioma lawyers can help determine if you are still eligible and file your claim in time.

How Much Are Mesothelioma Trust Payouts?

Mesothelioma trusts pay out different amounts of compensation depending on a patient’s diagnosis, individual exposure history, and how many companies were responsible for their asbestos exposure.

$300,000-400,000

Median Payout from Asbestos Trust Funds

In some cases, asbestos claims can pay out as much as $750,000 or more, though that amount will vary greatly depending on the unique details of each claim.

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

Thankfully, at Sokolove Law, our asbestos attorneys have databases of evidence that can establish which manufacturers are at fault for your illness. This way, we can pursue compensation from every possible avenue for you.

Fill out our contact form or call (800) 647-3434 today to see if you qualify for compensation from asbestos bankruptcy trusts.

Asbestos Trust Funds: A Mesothelioma Case Study

A former operating engineer diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma received $187,438 in asbestos bankruptcy claims. His legal team used his work and asbestos exposure histories to identify multiple products to which he was exposed.

He also filed additional asbestos lawsuits, bringing his total compensation to over $2 Million.

List of Asbestos Trust Funds

The following is a partial list of asbestos companies with compensation available to current and future victims with valid mesothelioma fund claims.

CompanyAsbestos Trust FundCreated
A-Best ProductsA-Best Asbestos Settlement Trust2004
A. P. Green IndustriesAPG Asbestos Trust2014
A.B.B. Global Inc.Lummus 524(g) Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2006
A & I CorporationA & I Corporation Asbestos Bodily Injury Trust2005
ACandS, Inc.ACandS Asbestos Settlement Trust2008
API, Inc.API, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust2006
Armstrong World IndustriesArmstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust2006
ARTRA Group, Inc.ARTRA 524(g) Asbestos Trust2007
Asarco, Inc.ASARCO LLC Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust2009
Asbestos Claims Management Corp./National Gypsum CompanyNGC Bodily Injury Trust1993
Babcock & Wilcox CompanyBabcock & Wilcox Asbestos Trust2006
BondexBondex Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2016
Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc.Burns & Roe Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust2009
C.E. Thurston & SonsC.E. Thurston & Sons, Inc. Asbestos Trust2006
Celotex Corporation/Carey Canada, Inc.Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust1997
Combustion EngineeringCombustion Engineering 524(g) Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2006
Congoleum CorporationCongoleum Plan Trust2010
DII Industries, LLC (Dresser Industries)DII Industries, LLC Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2005
Eagle-Picher CorporationEagle-Picher Industries Personal Injury Settlement Trust1996
EJ Bartells Co., Inc.Bartells Asbestos Settlement Trust2001
Federal Mogul Corp.Federal Mogul U.S. Asbestos Personal Injury2007
FerodoFederal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust - Ferodo Subfund2011
FlexitallicFederal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust - Flexitallic Subfund2011
Flintkote Co./Flintkote Mines Ltd.Flintkote Company and Flintkote Mines Limited Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2015
General MotorsMLC Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2012
G-I HoldingsG-1 Asbestos Settlement Trust2009
Hercules ChemicalHercules Chemical Company, Inc. Asbestos Settlement Trust2011
H. K. Porter Co., Inc.H. K. Porter Asbestos Trust1998
J. T. Thorpe (C.D. Cal.)J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust2006
J. T. Thorpe (S.D. Tex.)J.T. Thorpe Company Successor Trust2004
Johns-Manville Corporation/Philadelphia Asbestos Corp. (Pacor)Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust1988
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.Kaiser Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2006
Keene Corp.Keene Creditors Trust 1996
KentileMetex Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2015
Leslie ControlsLeslie Controls, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2011
MacArthur Co./Western Asbestos CompanyWestern Asbestos Settlement Trust 2004
North American Refractories Co. (NARCO)North American Refractories Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust2013
Owens CorningOwens Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust - Owens Corning Subfund2006
Owens Corning/Fibreboard Corp.Owens Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2006
Pittsburgh CorningPittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2013
Plant Insulation CompanyPlant Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust 2012
Plibrico Co.Plibrico Asbestos Trust2006
Porter-Hayden Co.Porter Hayden Bodily Injury Trust2006
Quigley Co.Quigley Company, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2013
Raymark Corp./Raytech Corp.Raytech Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust 2000
Shook & Fletcher Insulation Co.Shook & Fletcher Asbestos Settlement Trust 2002
T. H. Agriculture & NutritionT. H. Agriculture & Nutrition, LLC Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2009
Thorpe Insulation Co./Pacific Insulation Co. Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust 2006
Turner & NewallFederal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust - Turner & Newall Subfund2007
United Gilsonite LaboratoriesUnited Gilsonite Laboratories Asbestos Personal Injury Trust 2015
United States Gypsum Co./ USG Corp. United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust2006
United States Mineral ProductsUnited States Mineral Products Company Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust 2005
UNR Industries, Inc./Unarco Industries, Inc.UNR Asbestos-Disease Claims Trust1990
W.R. Grace & Co.WRG Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2014
YarwayYarway Asbestos Personal Injury Trust2016

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.

After decades of mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring, many trusts have different names, but funds may still be available. Contact us today to learn more about what options may be available to you.

Mesothelioma Trust Payouts & Other Compensation

Based on your work history and the historical data collected by our mesothelioma lawyers over the past several decades, we can often link asbestos exposure to one or more asbestos-containing products, potentially made by more than one company.

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

  • Asbestos or mesothelioma fund claims: Depending on your exposure history, you may be entitled to asbestos payouts from multiple asbestos bankruptcy trust funds.
  • Mesothelioma lawsuit settlements and verdicts: In addition to pursuing compensation from asbestos bankruptcy trusts, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against any companies responsible for your exposure that hasn’t declared bankruptcy.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: Filing an asbestos claim does not impact your VA benefits. As a veteran with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may still seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in disability compensation, health care coverage, and other benefits.

Billions Recovered Nationwide

At Sokolove Law, we’ve recovered over $4.7 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma patients and their families nationwide. Let us get you the results you deserve.

See If You Have a Case Now

Access Mesothelioma Settlement Funds

Founder Jim Sokolove Converses with CEO Michael Skoler.
Sokolove Law Founder Jim Sokolove Converses with CEO Michael Skoler.

Sokolove Law is the first truly national mesothelioma law firm, with a national network of offices and licensed attorneys in nearly every state.

After decades of experience, our mesothelioma attorneys understand occupational asbestos exposure.

We have a warehouse of files, evidence, and other resources on asbestos-containing products that we use to determine which products you were exposed to — and which companies may owe you money.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our experienced and knowledgeable team is ready to help you access mesothelioma settlement funds.

Get started now by calling (800) 647-3434 or filling out our contact form for a free case review.

Mesothelioma Fund Claims FAQs

How much money is left in mesothelioma trust funds?

As of June 2023, an estimated $30 Billion is still available in mesothelioma trust funds.

This money has been set aside to pay victims who were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases after being exposed to the company's products.

Should I work with a lawyer to file a trust fund claim?

Asbestos litigation is complicated and can be difficult to figure out on your own. Working with a lawyer is often the best way to build a strong case and maximize the amount of compensation a client may receive.

Asbestos compensation payouts from trust funds are tied to asbestos exposure history — but many clients’ exposures occurred decades ago.

In turn, it can be challenging to remember the exact asbestos products they were exposed to and which company manufactured them. This makes it critical to work with an experienced mesothelioma law firm like Sokolove Law.

We maintain a proprietary database and warehouse full of evidence to determine our clients' asbestos exposure histories and build strong cases on their behalf.

In many cases, we've already represented someone from the same or similar job site, which helps us analyze the details of each individual claim and maximize the potential compensation.

See if we can help with your claim now during a free case review.

Who is eligible to file a mesothelioma fund claim?

Your ability to file a mesothelioma trust fund claim revolves around:

  • You or your loved one’s asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma diagnosis
  • The work history and asbestos exposure history
  • Whether the company or companies that made the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to have established a trust fund

Not sure if you’re eligible? During a free, no-obligation case evaluation, our experienced legal team can review the details of your case and let you know what your legal options may be.

Can a family member file an asbestos trust fund claim?

Yes. If your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to file an asbestos trust fund claim on their behalf — even if they have already passed away.

Learn more about your legal options during a free, no-obligation review of your case.

How long do I have to file an asbestos trust fund claim?

You only have a limited amount of time to file asbestos trust fund claims due to state laws called statutes of limitations, which restrict how long you have to take legal action.

That’s why it’s important to contact a member of our team today. We can help you understand what your legal options are and help you file your claim before the deadline.

Who is responsible for my asbestos exposure — and how do I prove it?

Before we know who is responsible for your exposure to asbestos, we'll need to learn a little bit more about your work history.

From there, our team will handle gathering all of the evidence needed to prove your asbestos exposure history and file your claim with the asbestos-related company or companies responsible.

At Sokolove Law, our team only gets paid if you receive money for your injuries, so there's no financial risk to taking legal action.

Fill out our contact form today or call (800) 647-3434 to get started.

Can you pursue compensation for asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases?

You may be eligible for financial compensation if you were diagnosed with other asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer.

Can multiple jobs be responsible for asbestos exposure?

Yes — depending on your work history, it’s entirely possible that you were exposed to asbestos in multiple roles or at various work sites.

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, we can help you determine all of the companies that may have been responsible for exposing you to asbestos on the job.

Can you sue a bankrupt asbestos-related company?

If an asbestos-related company has declared bankruptcy, you are no longer able to sue them for asbestos exposure.

That said, you may be still able to pursue compensation from their asbestos bankruptcy trust fund. These claims could allow you to start seeing results sooner than if your case had gone to court.

Contact Sokolove Law today to learn more about your potential legal options for free.

Should I file an asbestos trust fund claim or a lawsuit?

When you work with Sokolove Law, we’ll pursue compensation from all of the avenues available to you.

Depending on your exposure history, this may be from a combination of both asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits. This way, you get the most money possible for your medical care and family.

Learn more about how we may be able to help with your asbestos case today during a free legal case review.

How are asbestos trust fund payouts calculated?

Asbestos trust fund payouts are calculated based on:

  • The severity of the asbestos-related illness
  • How your claim is reviewed
  • The payment percentages set up by the trust
  • How much money remains in the fund
  • And more

For instance, as part of the asbestos claims process, your lawyer will review your exposure information and recommend either an expedited review or individual review of the claim:

  • Expedited Review: Most trusts have determined a payout for those that meet basic requirements for approval of a claim — this means every claimant approved with the same disease gets the same mesothelioma trust fund awards (money).
  • Individual Review: If our lawyers determine that you may be awarded more money based on the unique facts of your claim, they may recommend that you pursue an individual review. In this case, the trustee may award a higher amount than offered through the expedited review. This process can take longer, and it’s possible the trustee may award less money than the expedited review.

After this, trust fund administrators will “liquidate” your claim according to payment percentages established by the trust and then provide you with compensation.

Are asbestos trust fund payouts taxable?

Asbestos trust fund compensation tends to be tax-free. However, your mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine whether the money you receive is taxable.

Why were asbestos bankruptcy trust funds created?

Beginning in the 1980s, an influx of asbestos lawsuits caused some manufacturers to go out of business and file for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.

By declaring bankruptcy, these companies sought to avoid paying victims of asbestos exposure what they were owed.

Thankfully, asbestos companies that wanted Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection were ordered by the courts to put money aside for those harmed by their products.

This meant creating asbestos settlement trust funds, so there’s enough money to provide for current and future claimants and their families.

If you or your loved one were exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation through one or more of these trust funds.

Contact Sokolove Law today to see if you qualify — for free.

  1. Rand Institute for Civil Justice. “Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts.” Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2010/RAND_TR872.pdf. Accessed on June 1, 2023.
  2. Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust. 2002 trust distribution process; January 2012 revision. Retrieved from http://www.claimsres.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2002-TDPJanuary-2012-Revision.pdf. Accessed on June 1, 2023.
  3. Gerald Bushmaker vs. A.W. Chesterton Company and Rapid American Corporation, 09-cv-726-slc, pp. 1-22 (2013). Retrieved from: https://www.wiwd.uscourts.gov/opinions/pdfs/2006-2009/09-C-726-C-03-01-13.PDF. Accessed on June 1, 2023.