Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds can help people who developed asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma get compensation. More than $30 billion is still available in asbestos trust funds today. If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust fund.

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Written and Fact-Checked by: Lung Cancer Group

Last updated: April 8, 2026

What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?

Asbestos trust funds are financial resources available to people who developed serious asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

These trusts were established after asbestos companies started filing for bankruptcy protection to avoid lawsuits. Bankrupt companies can’t be sued, even though many had billions of dollars still available.

Courts required these companies to set aside funds for current and future victims of asbestos exposure and their families. As a result, families can still seek asbestos compensation for lung cancer by filing trust fund claims right now.

If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may be eligible for asbestos trust fund payments. Get a free case review to learn more.

Who Is Eligible for Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts?

Each asbestos trust has its own eligibility criteria, and requirements can vary depending on the specific trust and the circumstances of your exposure.

You may qualify to file a trust fund claim if you:

Have been diagnosed with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other asbestos diseases and were exposed to qualifying asbestos products
Are a family member or loved one of someone who died from an asbestos-related disease

You may qualify to file claims against multiple asbestos trust funds depending on which asbestos-containing products you were exposed to.

For best results, contact a lung cancer lawyer to determine your eligibility for asbestos fund compensation.

Average Lung Cancer & Mesothelioma Trust Payouts

Patients often receive $300,000 to $400,000 total from asbestos trust funds. Trusts typically award the most money to mesothelioma patients, but those with other asbestos-related diseases can still receive compensation.

The amounts awarded from the mesothelioma trust funds can vary widely depending on the patient’s specific circumstances and how many trusts they’re eligible for.

However, lung cancer compensation from trust funds may not fully compensate patients for losses and suffering. The American Cancer Society reports that patients may spend over $140,000 on lung cancer treatment and even more on mesothelioma treatment.

Fortunately, patients can also pursue payouts through asbestos lawsuits and military benefits in addition to trust fund compensation.

Factors That Affect Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts

Asbestos trust fund compensation can vary depending on each unique situation. Several factors can impact the amount of financial compensation patients may receive from an asbestos trust fund.

Some of these factors include:

Number of trusts: Many people have been exposed to several asbestos products, meaning they may qualify for payouts from multiple funds, leading to higher payouts.
Payment percentages: Trusts typically pay only a percentage of a claim’s full value. This ensures trusts will have enough money for future claimants, but it means that you may not get the full value of your trust fund claim.
Type of disease: The type of asbestos-related disease can affect the amount of compensation you may receive. Cancers like mesothelioma and lung cancer typically pay more.

Lawyers at top lung cancer law firms can determine which of these factors will impact your trust fund payout and how much compensation you could receive.

When Will You Receive Your Trust Fund Payout?

Mesothelioma funds will likely pay at different times depending on when the claims are filed and other factors. However, you can often start to get the first payouts from asbestos trust funds within 90 days of filing.

It can take up to several years to be fully compensated once all asbestos trust fund claims have been filed.

An experienced asbestos lawyer can help claimants navigate the review process and ensure that their claim is properly prepared and submitted.

View the Full Asbestos Trust Fund List

To date, over 60 companies have established asbestos trust funds to resolve claims related to lung cancer, and more.

An asbestos attorney from a trusted law firm can assist you with filing claims and pursuing the highest amount of money for your claim.

Companies with asbestos and mesothelioma trust funds include:

A-Best
ABB Lummus
AC&S
A.P. Green
API, Inc.
Armstrong World Industries
ASARCO, LLC
Babcock & Wilcox
Bondex International
Brauer Supply Company
Burns & Roe Group
CE Thurston
Celotex Corporation
Christy Refractories
Combustion Engineering
Congoleum
Eagle-Picher Industries
Federal Mogul Products
Fibreboard Corporation
Fraser Boiler Service
Fuller Austin Company
GAF Corporation
Garlock Sealing Technologies
General Motors
Geo. V. Hamilton Inc
H. K. Porter Company
Halliburton Company
Harbison-Walker Refractories Company
Hercules Chemical Company
Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation
J. T. Thorpe Inc.
Johns-Manville
Kaiser Aluminum
Kaiser Gypsum Company Inc.
Keene Corporation
Kentile Floors
Leslie Controls Inc.
Maremont Corporation
NARCO
National Gypsum
Owens-Corning Fiberglas
Owens-Illinois Inc.
Pacor
Pittsburgh Corning
Plant Insulation Company
Plibrico
Porter-Hayden
Quigley Company
Raytech Corporation
Sepco Corporation
Shook & Fletcher
State Insulation Corporation
Synkoloid Company
T.H. Agriculture and Nutrition LLC
The Fairbanks Company
The Flintkote Company
Thorpe Insulation Co.
Tyler Pipe Industries (TPI)
U.S. Gypsum Company
United Gilsonite Laboratories
United States Mineral Products Company
Utex Industries
W.R. Grace
Western MacArthur
Yarway Corporation

The list of asbestos trust funds shown above isn’t complete, and more are periodically added as time goes on.

Asbestos litigation attorneys can determine which trust funds you can access. It’s possible to recover compensation from multiple trusts, depending on the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to.

Call (877) 446-5767 to find out if you’re eligible for asbestos trust fund compensation after a lung cancer diagnosis.

How to File an Asbestos Trust Fund Claim

To file an asbestos trust fund claim, it’s crucial to work with attorneys. Top lung cancer lawyers know how to identify the trusts you’re eligible for, collect the information needed for a claim, and file it within any set deadlines.

By working with a lawyer, it makes it much easier to seek asbestos trust fund compensation. They’ll handle all the work on your behalf, making it less stressful for you.

Learn about each step of the asbestos trust fund claim process below.

1. Contact a Trusted Law Firm

At Lung Cancer Group, we’ve partnered with experienced lung cancer law firms that can handle asbestos trust fund claims for you more easily.

Our asbestos lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t require any upfront costs.

Ready to get started? Find out your eligibility for trust fund compensation with a free case review.

2. Build Your Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

To build your case, your attorneys will collect certain forms of evidence showing which asbestos-containing products you were exposed to and why you need trust fund compensation.

To build your asbestos trust claim, you may need:

Employment records to establish a link between your asbestos exposure and the company or companies responsible for the exposure
Financial statements to help lawyers establish how much your illness has cost so they can secure an appropriate amount of compensation for you
Medical records, which can establish your diagnosis and connect it to asbestos exposure
Witness statements, as they can help support your claim by providing evidence of your exposure

When you work with a dedicated lung cancer law firm, the burden of gathering evidence is taken off your shoulders. The firm’s attorneys will handle the work on your behalf, making it easier for you to get compensated.

3. File Your Asbestos Trust Fund Claim

When working with our legal partners, you won’t have to file the asbestos trust fund claim yourself, making the process much less stressful.

There are deadlines for when to file asbestos trust fund claims. In most cases, your case must be filed within 3 years of being diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer. If the deadline passes, you won’t be able to receive any compensation.

Top asbestos attorneys can make sure your trust fund claim is filed before time runs out.

4. Asbestos Trust Fund Review Process

Once your asbestos trust fund claim is submitted, the trustees will review it in one of two ways: through an individual review or an expedited review.

An expedited review allows the trustees to determine if the claim meets an established set of criteria, and will award a fixed amount based on predetermined values.
An individual review means that the trustees will review the claim and determine a unique value for it. This process takes more time than an expedited review and could award your claim with more compensation.

Your asbestos attorneys can help determine if an individual or expedited review claim will be better for your case.

5. Access Compensation From Mesothelioma Trust Funds

Once your claim is reviewed and approved, you will receive compensation from the appropriate asbestos trust fund.

While each asbestos compensation fund is different, you could start to get financial payouts in 90 days or less after filing.

The amount you receive will depend on several factors, including the type and severity of your asbestos-related disease and the number of trusts you qualify for.

Find Out if You Qualify for Asbestos Trust Fund Compensation

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and developed an asbestos-related disease, including lung cancer, you may be eligible to access asbestos trust fund payouts.

Here’s what to know about accessing mesothelioma trusts:

Asbestos trust funds contain over $30 billion
You might qualify for payouts from multiple trusts
An attorney can determine which trusts you qualify for

At Lung Cancer Group, our legal partners have recovered over $5.9 billion for those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Call (877) 446-5767 get a free case review to learn how we can help you file asbestos trust fund claims and pursue other forms of compensation after a diagnosis.

Asbestos Trust Fund FAQs

What is the average payout for asbestos trust fund claims?

Asbestos trust fund payouts average between $300,000 and $400,000 total. However, some patients have received more than $1 million.

The value of an asbestos trust fund claim can vary based on a number of factors, like the severity of the claimant’s illness, which asbestos products they were exposed to, and how many trusts they file claims with.

Working with an experienced asbestos lawyer is incredibly important since they will do everything they can to secure the most compensation for your trust fund claims.

How much money is left in the asbestos trust fund?

There is roughly $30 billion still available across all asbestos trust funds today. By filing claims with these trusts, you can receive some of this money.

If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, you were likely exposed to many asbestos products at various points in your life. Experienced attorneys can file claims with multiple asbestos trust funds as a result, increasing your potential payouts.

Call (877) 446-5767 now to learn more about accessing mesothelioma cancer trust fund compensation with our team’s help.

What do I have to do to access asbestos trust funds?

To access asbestos trust funds, claimants must typically provide documentation of their asbestos exposure and their resulting illness. This may include medical records, work history, and other supporting evidence.

An experienced asbestos lawyer can help gather this information and file for mesothelioma trust fund awards, making the process much easier overall.

Do I need a lawyer to file an asbestos trust funds claim?

While it is not required to have a lawyer to file an asbestos bankruptcy trust claim, it is highly recommended.

Asbestos trust fund regulations can be complex and confusing, and a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation can help ensure that your claim is properly filed and that you get the money you deserve.

Working with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help relieve some of the stress and uncertainty related to the process.

What is the statute of limitations for asbestos trust fund claims?

Each state has different rules and time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for when people can file claims against asbestos trust funds. However, most asbestos trust fund claims must be filed within 3 years of a diagnosis or a loved one’s death.

Don’t delay in filing an asbestos trust fund claim. If time runs out, you won’t be able to get any compensation. Get started now with a free case review.

Is an asbestos trust fund claim different from an asbestos lawsuit?

Yes. These are two different types of options for asbestos compensation. Trust fund claims do not require all the steps of a typical lawsuit.

Asbestos lawsuits may require additional steps, but filing a lawsuit may help you secure even more compensation to help you pay for lung cancer treatment and other expenses you may face.

Your lung cancer lawyers can help you understand the differences and file both asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits simultaneously.

What is the mesothelioma settlement fund?

Settlement funds allow those diagnosed to seek mesothelioma compensation without filing a lawsuit. Instead, the money comes from asbestos trust funds.

Trusts typically award the highest payouts available to those with mesothelioma because of the aggressive nature of this cancer.

A mesothelioma attorney can give you a better idea as to how much you can expect to receive through settlement fund compensation after filing a claim, and review all your legal options.

How do asbestos trusts work?

Asbestos trust funds are large sums of money set aside by bankrupt corporations to compensate those with asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer.

Patients and loved ones who got sick from exposure to asbestos-containing products listed under a company’s trust can file claims. It’s not possible to file a lawsuit against the companies in question due to bankruptcy court laws.

Get a free case review now to learn if you qualify for compensation from asbestos trust funds after a lung cancer diagnosis.