Key Finding
Asbestos trust funds collectively represent one of the largest private compensation systems in American legal history. Filing a trust fund claim does not require filing a lawsuit — it is an administrative process. Most mesothelioma patients are eligible to file against multiple trusts simultaneously, and claims can be filed on behalf of a deceased family member's estate.
When asbestos manufacturers faced bankruptcy under the weight of mounting litigation, the bankruptcy code required them to establish trusts to compensate current and future victims. This legal mechanism — Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code — created a structured system where companies could reorganize and continue operating while ensuring that compensation was available for those harmed by their products.
The amount available from each trust varies by diagnosis, exposure history, and available trust assets. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can identify which trusts apply to a specific exposure history and file claims simultaneously across multiple trusts.
Search Trust Fund Database
| Trust Fund Name | Assets | Status | Established | Covered Conditions / Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns-Manville / Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $2.5B | Active | 1988 | Pleural, mesothelioma, asbestosis |
| Owens Corning / Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | $1.2B | Active | 2006 | All asbestos-related diseases |
| Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $2.0B | Active | 2006 | All asbestos-related diseases |
| W.R. Grace & Co. Asbestos PI Trust | $4.0B | Active | 2016 | All asbestos-related diseases including vermiculite exposure |
| Combustion Engineering 524(g) Asbestos PI Trust | $1.43B | Active | 2006 | Mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural disease |
| Babcock & Wilcox Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust | $2.5B | Active | 2006 | All asbestos-related diseases |
| United States Gypsum Asbestos Settlement Trust | $900M | Active | 2007 | Mesothelioma and asbestosis |
| Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos PI Trust | $3.0B | Active | 2016 | Mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural disease — Unibestos exposure |
| T&N Limited / Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | $3.0B | Active | 2007 | All asbestos-related diseases — automotive gaskets and seals |
| Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust | $1.0B | Partial | 1998 | Mesothelioma and asbestosis — building materials |
| Harbison-Walker Refractories Asbestos PI Trust | $500M | Active | 2005 | All asbestos-related diseases — refractory products |
| Pneumo Abex LLC Asbestos Settlement Trust | $300M | Active | 2008 | Mesothelioma, asbestosis — brake friction products |
| Quigley Company Asbestos PI Trust | $320M | Active | 2013 | Asbestos-containing thermal insulation products |
| Kaiser Gypsum Asbestos Trust | $143M | Active | 2021 | Joint compound and construction products |
| Specialty Products Liability Trust (Bondex) | $325M | Active | 2022 | Joint compound, texture products |
This database covers the largest and most commonly claimed trusts. A complete list of all 524(g) trusts — including smaller and recently established funds — is maintained by the Coalition of Mesothelioma Attorneys. Trust fund assets and payment percentages change over time as claims are processed; figures represent published information as of 2025.
How to File a Trust Fund Claim
Trust fund claims are separate from personal injury lawsuits and do not require litigation. The process involves submitting documentation of your diagnosis and asbestos exposure history directly to each relevant trust. Multiple claims can be filed simultaneously.
Document your diagnosis
You will need pathology reports, imaging studies, and physician documentation confirming your mesothelioma diagnosis, cell type, and staging.
Document your exposure history
Identify the companies whose asbestos-containing products you worked with. An experienced mesothelioma attorney has investigators who specialize in tracing exposure history — including products from four or five decades ago.
Identify applicable trusts
Not every trust fund is relevant to every exposure history. An attorney will analyze your employment and exposure records to determine which trusts apply.
File claims simultaneously
Claims against multiple trusts are filed at the same time. Most patients are eligible for three to six trusts or more. The process is parallel, not sequential.
Receive compensation
Trust funds pay claims based on a payment percentage of the scheduled value for your diagnosis. Mesothelioma typically receives the highest scheduled value across all trusts.