Asbestos Trust Funds Compared: Top 10 Active Trusts
More than 60 asbestos trust funds hold over $30 billion in assets to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. Each trust operates independently with its own payment percentages, claim categories, and processing timelines. Payment percentages are adjusted periodically to ensure funds remain available for future claimants. Our trust fund tracker provides current payment data. An experienced mesothelioma attorney identifies every trust where you have a valid claim based on your specific exposure history.
| Trust Fund Name | Total Assets | Payment Percentage | Claim Types | Avg Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust | ~$2.5 billion | 5.2% | Expedited & Individual Review | 6–12 months |
| Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust | ~$1.4 billion | 9.6% | Expedited & Individual Review | 6–9 months |
| USG Asbestos Personal Injury Trust | ~$3.9 billion | 25% | Expedited & Individual Review | 3–6 months |
| Owens Corning / Fibreboard Trust | ~$5.4 billion | 7.5% | Expedited & Individual Review | 6–12 months |
| W.R. Grace Trust | ~$2.8 billion | 53.7% | Expedited & Individual Review | 3–6 months |
| Armstrong World Industries Trust | ~$2.1 billion | 41% | Expedited & Individual Review | 3–6 months |
| Combustion Engineering Trust | ~$1.2 billion | 20.6% | Expedited & Individual Review | 4–8 months |
| Halliburton / DII Trust | ~$2.7 billion | 32.4% | Expedited & Individual Review | 4–8 months |
| Federal-Mogul Trust | ~$1.7 billion | 11.8% | Expedited & Individual Review | 6–9 months |
| Babcock & Wilcox Trust | ~$1.3 billion | 24.5% | Expedited & Individual Review | 4–8 months |
Sources: U.S. Government Accountability Office, RAND Corporation, individual trust annual reports. Note: Payment percentages are approximate and are adjusted periodically by each trust to ensure long-term solvency. Asset figures reflect approximate values and may change over time.
Every case is different
This comparison covers general differences. Your specific situation — diagnosis type, stage, state of residence, and exposure history — determines which option delivers the most compensation.
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Key Differences
Asset Size vs. Payment Percentage
A trust's total assets do not directly determine how much an individual claimant receives. The payment percentage — the proportion of the scheduled value that the trust actually pays — is a more meaningful figure. For example, the Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust holds approximately $5.4 billion in assets but pays at 7.5%, while the smaller W.R. Grace Trust (~$2.8 billion) pays at 53.7%. This disparity reflects the number of pending and projected future claims each trust expects to process. Trusts with lower payment percentages typically face a larger volume of eligible claimants.
Expedited Review vs. Individual Review
Every trust offers two processing tracks. Expedited review applies predetermined values based on disease category — it is faster but pays a fixed scheduled amount. Individual review considers the specific circumstances of your case, including severity, age, dependents, and other factors, and can result in higher compensation. For mesothelioma claims, individual review typically yields higher values because mesothelioma is the most severe asbestos-related disease. Your attorney determines which review track maximizes recovery for each trust. Learn more about the trust fund claim filing process.
Processing Times Vary
Processing times range from 3 months to over a year depending on the trust, the review track chosen, and the completeness of your claim documentation. Trusts with higher payment percentages and well-funded administrative operations (such as USG, W.R. Grace, and Armstrong) tend to process claims faster. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays, which is why thorough exposure history documentation before filing is essential.
Products and Industries Covered
Each trust covers claims related to specific asbestos-containing products manufactured by the bankrupt company that created the trust. Manville covered insulation products used widely in construction and shipbuilding. Owens Corning covered fiberglass and insulation products. Federal-Mogul covered automotive brake pads and gaskets. W.R. Grace covered Zonolite vermiculite insulation. Your exposure to specific products determines which trusts you are eligible to file with — this is why a detailed exposure history is the foundation of every claim.
Filing with Multiple Trusts
Because most workers were exposed to asbestos products from multiple manufacturers, it is common to file claims with several trusts simultaneously. There is no limit on how many trusts you can file with, and receiving a payment from one trust does not affect your eligibility with another. Use our trust fund checker to see which trusts may apply to your situation. An experienced attorney typically identifies 5–15 eligible trusts per client, and cumulative payments from multiple trusts can total several hundred thousand dollars.
Which Trust Should You File With?
You do not choose one trust — you file with every trust where you have a valid claim. Your attorney identifies all eligible trusts based on your exposure history, the specific products you encountered, and the industries and job sites where exposure occurred.
- Multiple claims are standard: Most mesothelioma patients were exposed to products from several manufacturers over years or decades of work. Filing with multiple trusts is the norm, not the exception.
- Trust fund claims complement lawsuits: You can file trust fund claims and pursue a civil lawsuit at the same time. Combined with lawsuit settlements, total recovery can be substantial. These are separate processes and separate sources of compensation.
- Documentation drives eligibility: The more thoroughly your exposure history is documented, the more trusts your attorney can identify. Work histories, co-worker testimony, union records, and product identification all strengthen your claims.
- Veterans have additional options: Military veterans often qualify for multiple trust fund claims based on asbestos exposure during service, plus VA disability benefits as a separate compensation path.
- U.S. Government Accountability Office. "Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts." gao.gov
- RAND Corporation. "Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: An Overview of Trust Structure, Claims Filing, and Compensation." rand.org
- Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust. Annual Report. mantrust.org
- U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. Individual Trust Distribution Procedures (TDPs).
- Bates White Economic Consulting. "Asbestos Trust Payment Percentage Analysis."
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