Johns Manville Corporation & Asbestos
The Johns Manville Corporation got their start in 1858. For decades, the company knowingly exposed workers and the public to asbestos fibers, choosing to prioritize their profits over the health of hardworking Americans.
By the time Johns Manville (JM) was forced to take responsibility in the latter half of the 20th century, thousands had already developed serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Key Facts About the Johns Manville Corporation & Asbestos
- JM made a variety of asbestos-containing products until 1985, like insulation and roofing materials.
- The company routinely promoted asbestos for its fire-resistance properties, including with the “Asbestos Man” display at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
- Over 16,000 asbestos lawsuits were filed against the company before they filed for bankruptcy in 1982.
- In 1988, Johns Manville created the first asbestos trust fund, which contained $2.5 Billion.
- As of 2025, the Johns Manville asbestos trust has paid out more than $5 Billion to resolve over 1 million claims.
- Currently, the Johns Manville trust still contains around $630 Million total.
If you or a loved one worked with JM asbestos products and have mesothelioma, our asbestos law firm can help determine if you may be eligible for compensation from the Johns Manville asbestos trust — without having to go to court.
At Sokolove Law, we've successfully helped thousands of mesothelioma patients and their families across all 50 states. Get started now with a free case review.
The History of Johns Manville Asbestos Lawsuits
In 1969, 285 former employees filed a Johns Manville asbestos lawsuit. They claimed the company had known about the dangers of asbestos as early as the 1920s — but intentionally covered them up. This lawsuit led to the first asbestos legal settlement.
For decades, executives at Johns Manville had suppressed critical health information, misrepresented findings about illnesses caused by asbestos, and prevented these findings from getting published.
In the 1940s, JM president Lewis Brown criticized another company for notifying their employees about asbestos-related illnesses. When a manager asked him, “Do you mean to tell me you would let them work until they dropped dead?” Brown reportedly replied, “Yes. We save a lot of money that way.”
As the public became aware of the dangers of asbestos, thousands of families filed Johns Manville lawsuits. Since the company’s products were so widely used, they were named in around 65% of all asbestos lawsuits filed from 1968 to 1982.
Johns Manville was also a defendant in Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation et al., in which an insulation worker sued manufacturers after he developed mesothelioma. This was the first successful mesothelioma lawsuit.
The Johns Manville Asbestos Trust Fund
Facing mounting legal pressure, Johns Manville filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982 — a move designed to shield them from more lawsuits while continuing operations. In response, courts ordered them to create the Johns Manville asbestos trust fund, which was the first trust of its kind.
The JM asbestos trust was established to provide compensation to those suffering from illnesses caused by the company’s asbestos-containing products. It also set a precedent for other asbestos-related companies to follow in the future.
Johns Manville’s bankruptcy plan was confirmed by the courts in October 1988. When the trust officially became operational a month later, it contained $2.5 Billion. By the end of 1988, Johns Manville had paid nearly $500 Million to settle over 12,600 claims.
Since it was established, over 1 Million claims have been filed with the Johns Manville asbestos trust fund, resulting in over $5 Billion worth of payouts. The trust contains approximately $630 Million today.
“Our lawyers can fill out the paperwork to make sure that you actually get the money that's been sitting there in a trust for you. These claims can move very fast and 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
JM Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage
All asbestos trust funds use a payment percentage system, which helps make sure that money remains in the trust, so future claimants can get compensation as well.
Once your claim has been reviewed by the trust, they’ll offer you a certain amount of compensation. If you accept their offer, you’ll be paid a percentage of this total amount.
Currently, the Johns Manville asbestos trust fund payment percentage is 5.1%. However, these percentages can change over time, meaning the longer you wait, the less compensation you may receive.
Clients often get between $300,000 and $400,000 total from trust funds on average, with more money potentially coming from lawsuit settlements. Our attorneys work to maximize the compensation our clients receive by pursuing both.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to find out if your family may qualify for a JM asbestos trust fund payout. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Johns Manville Asbestos Products List
Throughout the 20th century, Johns Manville produced a wide range of products that contained asbestos, putting countless American lives at risk.
As early as 1934, the company was manufacturing over 1,400 products — the majority of which contained asbestos. By 1982, Johns Manville claimed to be the largest processor of asbestos and the largest manufacturer of products like asbestos-containing cement.
Asbestos-containing products made by Johns Manville include:
- Asbestos jackets
- Asbestos paper
- Blankets
- Braided tubing
- Brake linings
- Cement
- Cloth
- Flexboard
- Millboard
- Molded friction materials
- Packing
- Putty
- Rope
- Roving
- Tape
- Transite pipe
- Weatherproofing felts
- Yarns
This is not a complete list. Many other Johns Manville products also contained asbestos and may be responsible for your illness.
At Sokolove Law, we can figure out which products you may have been exposed to and gather the evidence needed to help you prove your asbestos exposure. Contact us now to get started.
Find Out How You Were Exposed
We've helped thousands of patients determine how they were exposed to asbestos — and get results. Let us work to get you answers.
Roles at Risk of Johns Manville Asbestos Exposure
Johns Manville employees may have been exposed to asbestos while manufacturing, processing, or handling many of the company’s insulation and roofing materials.
JM asbestos products were widely used in a variety of industries, and anyone who worked with or around them was also at risk.
High-risk occupations that may have been affected include:
- Boiler workers
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Drywallers
- Electricians
- Factory workers
- Firefighters
- HVAC workers
- Insulators
- Manufacturing workers
- Mechanics
- Miners
- Painters
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Shipyard workers
- U.S. military veterans
- Welders
The risks extended beyond just those who worked with or around Johns Manville products. Asbestos fibers could cling to a worker’s clothing or hair and be carried home, potentially exposing their loved ones secondhand.
Get Help Holding Johns Manville Accountable
Johns Manville is a billion-dollar company with extensive legal resources, but you don’t have to face them alone. Our mesothelioma attorneys have the experience and skills to fight for the justice you deserve.
Learn why families nationwide put their trust in Sokolove Law:
- More than $5.6 Billion recovered in asbestos compensation
- No upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team
- Results secured for families in all 50 states
- Over 45 years of experience handling mesothelioma litigation
We believe companies that put profits over the safety of workers and consumers should be held accountable. Let us help you file a claim with the Johns Manville asbestos trust and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.
Johns Manville Asbestos Trust FAQs
What happened to Johns Manville Corporation?
In 1982, the Johns Manville Corporation filed for bankruptcy after facing thousands of lawsuits related to their asbestos-containing products. This led to the creation of the first asbestos trust fund in 1988.
The Johns Manville trust has since paid out over $5 Billion to victims with illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
If you got sick after being exposed to asbestos in products made by Johns Manville, you may be eligible for compensation. See if you qualify now.
Can I file a Johns Manville asbestos lawsuit?
If you were exposed to a Johns Manville product that contained asbestos and later developed an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, you may qualify for compensation from the Johns Manville asbestos trust fund.
An estimated $630 Million is still in the trust today. Our mesothelioma attorneys can help see if you qualify for a portion of this money, in addition to compensation from other legal claims or trusts.
When did Johns Manville stop using asbestos?
Johns Manville stopped using asbestos in 1985, after the public became aware of the dangers of asbestos. Yet for many workers, it was already too late.
Since mesothelioma can take 20-50 years to develop, workers exposed to JM’s asbestos-containing products decades ago are still at risk of getting sick today.
What is the Johns Manville asbestos trust payment percentage?
As of March 2025, the Johns Manville asbestos trust payment percentage is 5.1%, but this number is subject to change.
There’s an estimated $630 Million still in the JM trust fund, and you may be eligible for a portion of this money.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we can fight for compensation on your behalf.
Does Johns Manville fiberglass insulation contain asbestos?
Johns Manville fiberglass insulation that was manufactured before the 1980s contained asbestos. This dangerous product may still be found in older homes or buildings throughout the United States.
Does Johns Manville insulation contain asbestos?
Johns Manville was a lead producer of asbestos-containing insulation throughout the 20th century, accounting for two-thirds of all U.S. sales involving insulation materials made with asbestos.
In the 1980s, the company stopped using asbestos in their insulation products due to a growing awareness of the risks associated with this material.
Does Johns Manville super felt contain asbestos?
For decades, Johns Manville used asbestos in many of their felt products to enhance durability and heat resistance. Any super felt made after 1985 would no longer contain asbestos, as that’s when the company stopped using this dangerous mineral.
Can I claim if I have been exposed to asbestos?
You may be able to file a claim for asbestos exposure if you:
- Were diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness
- Are filing an asbestos claim after the death of a loved one
- Represent the estate of a mesothelioma victims
Not sure if you qualify? Get a free case review now to see if you may be eligible for compensation from an asbestos claim.
How do you qualify for asbestos compensation?
To qualify for asbestos compensation, your lawyer will need to prove that you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and which products you were exposed to.
Our team can handle every step of the process for you, from gathering evidence to filing your claims. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started for free.
