Mesothelioma and Asbestos Trust Funds

What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?

Asbestos trust funds are special accounts set up by companies that used or made asbestos products. These funds are meant to compensate people who got sick from asbestos exposure.

The first trusts were established in the 1980s by asbestos companies that declared bankruptcy after facing thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits. Many of these companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to stay in business but avoid being held accountable for their actions, since bankrupt companies can’t be sued.

However, bankruptcy courts forced these companies to set up mesothelioma trust funds to pay current and future victims — and there are still billions of dollars available in them today.

By filing with multiple trusts, many people receive $300,000–$400,000 on average, and some recover more depending on their exposure history. Many of the people we’ve helped received their first asbestos trust payouts in 90 days or less.

Qualifications for Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trusts hold billions of dollars meant solely to help people with mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related illnesses. The main asbestos trust fund eligibility criteria include having a qualifying diagnosis.

You may be able to file claims with an asbestos trust fund if:

1. You were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease.
2. A family member was diagnosed with or passed away from an asbestos-related illness.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, so you may be eligible for compensation from these trusts, even if you don’t know how the exposure happened. Our partner law firm can determine whether you’re owed money from a mesothelioma trust and prove how you were exposed.

“​​I don’t think people quite understand how those trust funds are put together. The money is there. It has been put there to meet the needs of mesothelioma families and to pay them. Don’t feel guilty about it.”

Get help from our partner law firm to evaluate your legal options. Find out if you qualify for asbestos trust fund compensation right now.

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Trust Funds

• More than $30 billion available
• $300K-$400K average compensation
• Get money in 90 days or less

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What Is the Average Payout for Asbestos Trust Funds in 2026?

The average total payout for mesothelioma trust funds is $300,000 to $400,000. Many families are eligible to file claims with multiple trusts, which can increase their overall compensation.

Mesothelioma compensation fund payouts can help you afford medical expenses and other costs after a cancer diagnosis. Asbestos payout timelines may vary, but most claims start paying out compensation in 90 days or less.

You may also be able to secure $1 million or more by filing asbestos lawsuits in addition to mesothelioma trust fund claims. Our team can help you determine all of your compensation options.

Factors Affecting Trust Fund Compensation

The amount of compensation you can get from asbestos funds depends on a few factors, including:

• How many trusts you qualify for: Different trusts pay different amounts, so your total compensation depends on how many trusts you can file claims with. Most mesothelioma patients are eligible to file claims with multiple trust funds.
• Payment percentages: Each asbestos settlement trust fund pays a part of a claim’s full value based on a set payment percentage. These percentages range from 1% to 100% and are used to make sure there’s enough money left to compensate future mesothelioma victims. The higher the payment percentage, the higher your payout.
• Your diagnosis: Which asbestos-related disease you have also affects your payout. Mesothelioma patients usually receive higher payouts since their treatments are more expensive and more intensive than those for asbestosis or lung cancer.

An asbestos lawyer, like those at our partner law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy, can carefully consider these details to secure the highest possible payouts for you.

Not sure which asbestos trust funds you might qualify for? Our team can help you determine whether you are owed money from any of these trusts and start filing claims. Contact us for help getting trust fund compensation.

Steps for Filing a Mesothelioma Trust Fund Claim

There is a specific process for filing claims with asbestos trust funds and getting financial compensation. Learn about each step in the process below.

1. Choose a Lawyer

The first step to filing asbestos trust fund claims is choosing the right mesothelioma lawyer to help you.

A mesothelioma lawyer can:

1. See which mesothelioma trust funds you qualify for
2. File claims with each one on your behalf
3. Quickly secure mesothelioma trust payouts for you
4. See if you can get more compensation from other sources

Our partner mesothelioma lawyers can walk you through the asbestos claims process and work to secure the most compensation possible. Get a Free Case Review to start the conversation.

2. Collect Asbestos Exposure Evidence

Once you choose your mesothelioma lawyer, they will ask for information about your asbestos exposure and diagnosis. This helps them determine which asbestos bankruptcy trust funds you qualify for.

You may need to provide:

• Any information you’ve gathered about your asbestos exposure
• Medical records related to your diagnosis
• Military and/or civilian work history documents

If you’re not sure how you were exposed to asbestos, the attorneys at our partner law firm can help you find out. The firm has warehouses full of records related to the asbestos industry and worksites that used asbestos-based products.

3. File Claims With Mesothelioma Trusts

Once your lawyer has all the needed information, they can file claims on your behalf with each asbestos trust fund you qualify for.

You won’t have to file claims with mesothelioma trust funds yourself, meaning there’s no extra stress or hassle for your family.

Your lawyers may be able to file claims with multiple trusts, depending on which products you were exposed to. Many clients are eligible for asbestos trust fund payouts from many different trusts.

4. Have Your Claims Reviewed

Once your mesothelioma fund claims have been submitted, your lawyer can determine which review process is best for your case.

There are two ways asbestos trust fund claims are reviewed:

• Expedited review: The trust reviews your claim using predetermined guidelines. If your asbestos trust fund claim meets the criteria, you’ll get paid a set amount of money as specified by the trust.
• Individual review: The trust reviews your claim in closer detail to determine how much compensation you should receive. This takes longer than an expedited review and could award you with more or less money.

There’s not a universal best choice between these options, so your lawyer will look at the specifics of your case to determine which type of review is most likely to result in the most compensation for your family.

5. Receive Payouts From Asbestos Trusts

Once your asbestos trust claim has been reviewed, it will be paid out to you in a process called liquidation. How much money you’ll get depends on your diagnosis, the trust’s payment percentage, and other factors.

Your mesothelioma law firm will inform you about how much your trust fund claim will pay and when you can expect to receive compensation.

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Asbestos trust funds contain over $30 billion for eligible mesothelioma patients and their families. By filing trust fund claims, you could receive compensation in 90 days or less without going to court. Call us at (866) 608-8933 to see if you qualify. View Transcript.

Duration: 1 min 00 sec

Asbestos trust funds are significant sums of money set aside by asbestos companies for eligible mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Today there’s more than $30 billion available in asbestos trust funds. The first asbestos trusts were established in the 1980s by companies that declared bankruptcy after facing mesothelioma lawsuits. These companies filed for bankruptcy to avoid being sued, however, bankruptcy courts compelled these companies to establish mesothelioma trust funds to compensate current and future victims by filing claims with multiple trusts. You could receive hundreds of thousands of dollars or more all without ever stepping foot in court. You may receive your first asbestos claims payouts within 90 days. Find out if you can access asbestos trust fund compensation right now. Visit mesotheliomahope.com to learn more and explore your options today.

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Why You Need a Lawyer to File Mesothelioma Trust Fund Claims

A mesothelioma lawyer handles all of the work related to filing trust fund claims and getting compensation, making the process simple for you and your family.

It can be difficult to get money from mesothelioma funds without a lawyer’s help.

Asbestos lawyers can help you navigate:

• Eligibility: An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you determine which trust funds you are owed money from and prepare all the documentation needed to ensure claims are filed correctly.
• Payment percentages: Your attorney can explain which trusts operate under payment percentages and how much they are, which can impact your final payout. Percentages may fluctuate over time based on how much money is in the trust when the claim is made.
• Trust fund deadlines: Unlike statutes of limitations for lawsuits, asbestos trust funds set their own deadlines to file a claim. These are usually 1-3 years after a mesothelioma diagnosis or the death of a loved one. Asbestos lawyers can make sure your trust fund claims are filed in time.
  

Many mesothelioma patients who file trust fund claims had never worked with an attorney before. Top mesothelioma lawyers make the process easy while maximizing your compensation and ensuring claims are filed properly.

“We have an extensive database of documents that we’ve collected over 25 years. By utilizing this database, we can get our clients the compensation they deserve.”

A good attorney will clearly explain how they’ll secure mesothelioma trust fund compensation for you and answer any questions you have. Get connected with top lawyers now during a Free Case Review.

Filing for Other Mesothelioma Claims

If you’re seeking compensation for mesothelioma, there are three main sources: asbestos trust funds, lawsuits (settlements or verdicts), and veterans benefits.

A good attorney will clearly explain your options and ensure you’re getting everything you’re owed from multiple sources of compensation. Get connected with top lawyers now during a Free Case Review.

Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review

• Over $30 billion available
• No cost to file a claim
• Avoid going to court

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Shara Fisher Senior Paralegal

17+ years providing legal help to mesothelioma victims

See if You’re Eligible for Asbestos Trust Compensation

You and your family deserve to get financial support to help you navigate your mesothelioma diagnosis. Negligent companies hid the risks of asbestos for decades, and thousands of innocent people every year develop asbestos-related diseases as a result.

More than $30 billion is available in asbestos trust fund compensation for victims and their families. Trust fund claims allow you to access some of this money.

Mesothelioma Hope and our team of legal experts can:

• Determine if you’re eligible for trust fund payouts
• File asbestos trust fund claims on your behalf
• Help you understand all of your financial assistance options

See if you can file asbestos trust fund claims or call (866) 608-8933 now to speak to someone who can help.