Asbestos Trust Fund Calculator
Estimate potential compensation from asbestos bankruptcy trusts for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis claims.
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About This Calculator
Asbestos exposure has caused devastating diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis for millions of workers. To compensate victims, over 60 bankruptcy trusts have been established holding more than $30 billion in funds. If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos and developed an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation from multiple trusts.
Asbestos-Related Diseases:
- Mesothelioma: Aggressive cancer of the lung lining, almost exclusively caused by asbestos
- Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk, especially in smokers
- Asbestosis: Chronic lung scarring from asbestos fiber inhalation
- Pleural Thickening: Thickening of the lung membrane
- Pleural Plaques: Calcified patches on lung lining (may be benign)
How Asbestos Trusts Work:
- Bankrupt asbestos companies funded trusts to pay future claims
- Each trust has its own claims process and payment criteria
- Claimants can file with multiple trusts
- Trust claims are separate from lawsuits against solvent companies
Who May Be Eligible:
- Workers in construction, shipbuilding, automotive, mining
- Power plant and refinery workers
- Military veterans (especially Navy)
- Family members exposed to workers' clothing
- Residents near asbestos mines or processing plants
This calculator helps estimate potential asbestos trust fund recovery. For general lawsuit calculations, see our Lawsuit Settlement Calculator. For structured payment options, visit our Structured Settlement Calculator.
How to Use the Asbestos Trust Fund Calculator
- 1Select your diagnosed asbestos-related disease.
- 2Choose how you were exposed to asbestos (occupational, military, etc.).
- 3Enter the total years you were exposed to asbestos.
- 4Input the number of different employers or job sites where exposure occurred.
- 5Enter your current age.
- 6Indicate your smoking history (affects lung cancer claims).
- 7Add any medical expenses and lost wages you've incurred.
- 8Review estimated trust payments and potential lawsuit recovery.
- 9Note that you can file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.
Understanding Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts
Asbestos trusts were created when asbestos manufacturers filed bankruptcy to manage massive liabilities.
How Trusts Were Established
- Company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Trust is created to handle current and future claims
- Company funds trust with cash, insurance, stock
- Trust becomes sole means of recovery against that company
Major Asbestos Trusts
| Trust | Initial Funding | Payment Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Johns-Manville | $2.5 billion | 5-10% |
| Owens Corning | $7.3 billion | 15-25% |
| W.R. Grace | $4 billion | 10-15% |
| USG Corporation | $3.95 billion | 5-10% |
| Armstrong World | $2 billion | 8-12% |
| Pittsburgh Corning | $3.5 billion | 15-20% |
Payment Percentages Explained
Trusts pay a percentage of the "scheduled value" for each disease:
- Payment Percentage: What the trust actually pays (typically 5-25%)
- Scheduled Value: Base amount for each disease type
- Actual Payment: Scheduled Value × Payment Percentage
Example:
- Mesothelioma scheduled value: $250,000
- Trust payment percentage: 10%
- Actual payment: $25,000
Why Percentages Vary
- Trust assets must last for all future claimants
- Trustees estimate total claims and adjust percentages
- Payments are reviewed and adjusted periodically
- Some trusts have depleted significantly
Scheduled Values by Disease
Each trust assigns scheduled values based on disease severity.
Typical Scheduled Values
| Disease | Average Scheduled Value | Typical Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $200,000 - $1,200,000 | $10,000 - $120,000 |
| Lung Cancer | $75,000 - $300,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 |
| Asbestosis (severe) | $50,000 - $150,000 | $2,500 - $15,000 |
| Asbestosis (moderate) | $25,000 - $75,000 | $1,250 - $7,500 |
| Pleural Thickening | $15,000 - $50,000 | $750 - $5,000 |
| Pleural Plaques | $5,000 - $15,000 | $250 - $1,500 |
Expedited vs. Individual Review
Expedited Review:
- Fixed payment based on disease category
- Faster processing (weeks to months)
- Lower documentation requirements
- Lower payment amount
Individual Review:
- Case-by-case evaluation
- Higher potential payment
- Requires more documentation
- Longer processing time
Disease Documentation Requirements
| Disease | Medical Proof Needed |
|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | Pathology report confirming diagnosis |
| Lung Cancer | Diagnosis + evidence of asbestosis or pleural disease |
| Asbestosis | Chest X-ray/CT with ILO rating + PFT results |
| Pleural Disease | Imaging showing bilateral pleural changes |
Exposure Requirements
Most trusts require:
- Evidence of exposure to their specific products
- Minimum exposure duration (often 1+ months)
- Medical documentation of disease
- Signed declaration of exposure sites
Filing Claims with Multiple Trusts
One of the key advantages of trust claims is filing with many trusts simultaneously.
Why Multiple Claims?
Most asbestos victims were exposed to products from many companies:
- Construction workers touched multiple insulation brands
- Shipyard workers contacted various manufacturers' products
- Power plant workers used multiple gasket and insulation brands
Typical Number of Trust Claims
| Occupation | Average # of Trusts |
|---|---|
| Insulator | 15-30+ |
| Shipyard Worker | 20-40+ |
| Plumber/Pipefitter | 10-20 |
| Power Plant Worker | 15-25 |
| Construction Worker | 10-20 |
| Automotive Worker | 5-15 |
Cumulative Recovery
Example: Shipyard Worker with Mesothelioma
| Trust | Scheduled Value | Payment % | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns-Manville | $250,000 | 8% | $20,000 |
| Owens Corning | $300,000 | 20% | $60,000 |
| Pittsburgh Corning | $350,000 | 18% | $63,000 |
| W.R. Grace | $280,000 | 12% | $33,600 |
| USG | $200,000 | 6% | $12,000 |
| 10 Other Trusts | Various | Various | $50,000 |
| Total | $238,600 |
Claim Coordination
- Must disclose claims to all trusts
- Some trusts share information
- Attorneys typically coordinate filings
- No double recovery for same exposure
Lawsuits Against Solvent Companies
Trust claims do not prevent lawsuits against companies that didn't go bankrupt.
Solvent Defendants
Companies still in business and subject to lawsuits include:
- Equipment manufacturers
- Mining companies
- Some building product manufacturers
- Talc and cosmetic companies
- Automotive parts manufacturers
Lawsuit vs. Trust Claims
| Feature | Trust Claim | Lawsuit |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 6-24 months | 2-5+ years |
| Payment | Percentage of scheduled value | Full negotiated/verdict amount |
| Proof Required | Documentation of exposure | Prove negligence |
| Costs | Usually no cost | Attorney fees (contingency) |
| Certainty | Predictable payment | Uncertain outcome |
Combined Recovery Strategy
Most effective approach combines:
- Trust claims for bankrupt companies
- Lawsuits against solvent companies
- VA benefits if applicable
- Workers' comp if applicable
Trial Verdicts (Solvent Defendants)
| Case Type | Typical Verdict Range |
|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $5M - $50M+ |
| Lung Cancer | $1M - $10M |
| Asbestosis | $500K - $5M |
Settlement vs. Trial
Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial:
- Defendants want to avoid large verdicts
- Plaintiffs get faster, certain recovery
- Settlement amounts vary widely based on evidence
Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
Military veterans, especially Navy veterans, face high rates of asbestos disease.
Why Veterans Are at Risk
Navy Veterans:
- Ships built 1930s-1980s heavily used asbestos
- Boiler rooms, engine rooms, pipe insulation
- Shipyards had extensive asbestos exposure
- Submarines had concentrated exposure
Other Branches:
- Army: Building construction, vehicle brakes
- Air Force: Aircraft components, buildings
- Marines: Amphibious vehicles, buildings
VA Benefits for Asbestos Diseases
Disability Compensation:
- Tax-free monthly payments
- Rated based on severity of condition
- Mesothelioma typically rated 100% disabled
- May include Special Monthly Compensation
| Rating | 2024 Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| 10% | $171.23 |
| 50% | $1,075.16 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 |
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC):
- For surviving spouses if death was service-connected
- $1,612.75/month (2024)
VA Claims vs. Trust Claims
- VA claims are separate from trust claims
- Can pursue both simultaneously
- VA does not offset for trust payments
- Trust payments do not affect VA benefits
Proving Service Connection
Must establish:
- Current diagnosed condition
- Event in service (exposure)
- Connection between them
Evidence helpful for VA claims:
- Service records showing job duties
- Ship/base histories of asbestos use
- Buddy statements from fellow veterans
- Medical nexus opinion
Timeline for Asbestos Trust Claims
Understanding the claims process helps set realistic expectations.
Typical Timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Case evaluation | 1-2 weeks |
| Medical record gathering | 1-3 months |
| Exposure history development | 1-2 months |
| Trust claim preparation | 2-4 weeks |
| Trust review and payment | 3-18 months |
Factors Affecting Timeline
Faster Processing:
- Complete medical documentation
- Clear exposure history
- Expedited review election
- Trusts with efficient processing
Slower Processing:
- Missing records
- Disputed exposure
- Individual review requests
- Trusts with backlogs
Trust Payment Timelines
| Trust | Average Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Johns-Manville | 6-12 months |
| Owens Corning | 4-8 months |
| W.R. Grace | 6-9 months |
| USG | 8-14 months |
| Armstrong | 4-6 months |
Mesothelioma Expedited Claims
Many trusts have expedited processing for mesothelioma:
- Faster review timelines
- Priority processing
- Simplified documentation
- Recognition of limited life expectancy
Post-Mortem Claims
If the exposed person has died:
- Family members can continue claims
- Estate must be established
- Different proof requirements
- Survival and wrongful death damages
Pro Tips
- 💡Document your complete work history with specific job sites and dates.
- 💡Gather all medical records including pathology reports and imaging studies.
- 💡Note all products and brand names you remember working with.
- 💡Collect names of coworkers who can verify your exposure history.
- 💡Keep receipts for all medical expenses and lost wages.
- 💡Consider both trust claims AND lawsuits against solvent companies.
- 💡Veterans should file VA disability claims in addition to trust claims.
- 💡Don't delay - your health and memory of exposure details may decline.
- 💡Consult an attorney with specific asbestos experience and a product database.
- 💡Request expedited processing if you have mesothelioma.
- 💡Include secondary exposure claims for family members if applicable.
- 💡Keep copies of all claim submissions and correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total recovery varies widely based on disease and exposure history. Mesothelioma claimants may receive $100,000-$400,000+ from multiple trusts combined. Lung cancer victims typically receive $50,000-$150,000. Asbestosis claims yield less, typically $10,000-$50,000 total. An experienced attorney can identify all applicable trusts.
