Asbestos trust fund claim estimator

Estimates only. Trust fund payment amounts vary based on disease level, payment percentage, and individual claim review. These figures represent typical ranges and don't guarantee specific outcomes. See our full disclaimer.

Step 1 - Your diagnosis

Trust funds pay different amounts depending on the severity of your asbestos-related disease.

Step 2 - Select applicable trust funds

Select every manufacturer or employer connected to your exposure. You can file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.

0 trusts selected

Estimated trust fund compensation

How asbestos trust funds work

When asbestos manufacturers and distributors went bankrupt under the weight of mesothelioma lawsuits, courts required them to set up trusts to compensate current and future claimants. Over 60 of these trusts exist today, holding a combined estimated $30 billion in assets.

Filing a trust claim is separate from filing a lawsuit. You can do both at the same time. Trust claims are handled administratively - there's no trial - and typically resolve in months rather than years. Most people with significant asbestos exposure qualify for claims against multiple trusts.

Payment percentages

Each trust pays a percentage of its scheduled claim value - called the "payment percentage." When a trust was first set up, it projected how many total claims it would receive over its lifetime. If claims come in faster than expected, the payment percentage drops. Some trusts pay 100% of scheduled values; others pay as low as 1% to 5%.

Payment percentages change over time. An attorney who regularly files trust claims will know the current percentage for each trust and factor it into your overall strategy.

Expedited review vs. individual review

Most trusts offer 2 processing tracks. Expedited review pays a fixed amount quickly if you meet standard criteria (specific disease level, documented exposure). Individual review allows you to submit more evidence and potentially recover more, but takes longer. An attorney can advise which track makes sense for each trust in your situation.

Related tools

Start with the mesothelioma case evaluator if you haven't already. Use the asbestos exposure timeline builder to document your full exposure history before meeting with an attorney. For an overall settlement range, see the mesothelioma settlement calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Trust fund claims and lawsuits are handled separately. Trust funds were set up precisely so that bankrupt companies' obligations could be handled outside the court system. You can file claims against active trust funds while simultaneously pursuing a lawsuit against solvent companies. Most mesothelioma attorneys coordinate both tracks as part of a single strategy.

Expedited review claims typically resolve in 3 to 6 months. Individual review claims can take 12 to 18 months. Some trusts process claims faster than others. Because mesothelioma patients are often seriously ill, most trusts have priority processing procedures for terminally ill claimants.

Standard requirements include a pathology report confirming your diagnosis, employment records or other documentation showing exposure to that manufacturer's products, Social Security records confirming work history, and a completed claim form specific to each trust. Your attorney handles the assembly and submission of these documents. The asbestos exposure timeline builder helps organize the exposure history portion.

Some defendants in lawsuits require disclosure of trust fund claims and may seek to offset their payment by the amount you received from trusts. Attorneys are experienced in navigating these setoff issues and structure claims to maximize total recovery. In most cases, total combined compensation from trusts and lawsuits is higher than either source alone.

Each trust has its own deadline rules. Most follow the statute of limitations of the state where the claimant resides or where the exposure occurred - typically 1 to 3 years from diagnosis. Some trusts have their own independent deadlines. This is another reason to contact an attorney promptly after diagnosis. Use our statute of limitations checker for state-specific lookup.