How Owens Corning Used Asbestos in Its Products
Founded in 1938 in Toledo, Ohio, the Owens Corning company became known for its innovations in fiberglass insulation and building materials. However, from the early 1950s through the 1970s, the company also relied heavily on asbestos for its heat-resistant and fireproofing qualities.
Products like Kaylo insulation, insulating cement, joint compound, and pipe covering were widely used nationwide, exposing workers during installation and removal. Owens Corning manufactured and distributed these materials across the U.S., operating facilities in California and other states.
Key Facts About Owens Corning & Asbestos
- Asbestos products: Kaylo insulation, insulating cement, pipe covering, joint compound, and fireproofing materials
- Industries affected: Construction, industrial manufacturing, shipbuilding, power generation, and building maintenance
- At-risk groups: Insulators, construction workers, pipefitters, shipyard workers, maintenance crews, and family members exposed secondhand
- Trust fund: Owens Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, initially funded with over $5 billion
Over time, people who worked with or around Owens Corning asbestos products began developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. As more people were diagnosed, thousands of lawsuits were filed linking asbestos exposure to Owens Corning and related companies, including Fibreboard.
Owens Corning filed for bankruptcy protection in 2000 and set up an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims harmed by exposure. Find out if you qualify for payouts from the Owens Corning asbestos trust and other available funds.
Owens Corning Asbestos Trust Fund Information
The Owens Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was created to manage asbestos claims in an organized way and reduce the need for lengthy court cases. Instead of filing an asbestos lawsuit, eligible individuals can seek compensation directly through the trust.
Filing a trust claim usually involves sharing basic medical records and information about where and how exposure may have occurred. Many people choose to work with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can handle the paperwork and guide them through each step.
Who Can File an Owens Corning Asbestos Trust Claim?
You may qualify to file a claim if you have a diagnosis of mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another illness linked to asbestos exposure from Owens Corning or Fibreboard products.
You don’t need to have worked directly with asbestos to take legal action. Many family members qualify for compensation after exposure from a loved one’s job or after losing someone to an asbestos-related disease.
People who may be able to pursue a claim include:
- Workers who handled or worked near Owens Corning materials
- Spouses and children exposed to asbestos on clothing or tools
- Families seeking compensation after the loss of a loved one
- Veterans exposed to Owens Corning products during military service
An asbestos attorney can review your history, explain your options, and handle the claim process so you and your family can focus on healing.
Steps to File an Owens Corning Asbestos Claim
Filing a claim with the Owens Corning Fibreboard asbestos trust involves documenting your medical condition and showing how exposure occurred. Many people work with an asbestos lawyer to help gather records and manage the legal process from start to finish.
Here are the general steps to file a claim:
- Collect records: A lawyer reviews medical records and work history to connect your diagnosis to asbestos exposure.
- File the claim: Your attorney submits a claim to the Owens Corning asbestos trust and any other trusts you may qualify for.
- Claim review: Trust administrators review the claim to confirm eligibility under the trust’s rules.
- Receive compensation: Approved claims are paid according to the trust’s payment procedures, with many families receiving their first payouts within 90 days or less.
The Owens Corning asbestos trust pays a percentage of each approved claim to help make sure there’s enough money for future victims. Currently, approved Owens Corning trust fund claims are paid at 4.7% of their value.
Asbestos-Containing Products Made by Owens Corning
Owens Corning produced and distributed a range of insulation and building materials. Some products were made directly by Owens Corning, while others are tied to related brands and corporations.
A partial list of Owens Corning asbestos products includes:
- Acoustical plaster
- Adhesives
- Ceiling tiles
- Cement
- Fireproofing materials
- Joint compound and drywall mud
- Kaylo block insulation
- Kaylo insulating cement
- Kaylo pipe insulation
- Pipe covering and pipe insulation
If you think you worked with one of these products, it doesn’t mean you will automatically get sick. However, identifying specific products can help show how and where exposure may have happened and support a claim for compensation.
Get a Free Case Review with our legal partners at Simmons Hanly Conroy for help accessing compensation from Owens Corning and any other asbestos companies responsible for your exposure.
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Jobs at High Risk of Owens Corning Asbestos Exposure
People at greatest risk of exposure to asbestos with Owens-Corning products include:
- Construction workers
- Drywall installers
- Electricians
- HVAC technicians
- Insulators
- Maintenance workers
- Owens Corning employees
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Roofing contractors
- Shipyard workers
- U.S. Navy veterans
If you worked in one of these fields, you may have been exposed even if asbestos was not discussed at the time. Some workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on clothing, exposing their spouses and children as well. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.
Did Owens Corning Know About Asbestos Risks?
Court records from asbestos lawsuits show that many companies were aware of health problems linked to asbestos long before workers and the public were warned.
Evidence presented in cases involving Owens Corning and other manufacturers suggests that information about asbestos dangers existed within the industry for years.
Records show that:
- By the 1950s, studies had linked asbestos exposure to lung damage.
- Workers installing Kaylo insulation reported breathing problems before safety rules were in place.
- Internal company documents showed major manufacturers were aware of asbestos hazards.
- Companies continued using asbestos even after safer materials became available.
Owens Corning has denied responsibility in asbestos lawsuits. Even so, juries have often found asbestos companies liable for failing to warn workers.
Get Help Filing an Owens Corning Asbestos Claim
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after working with or around Owens Corning or Fibreboard asbestos products, Mesothelioma Hope can help you understand what to do next. Our team works with patients and families to make the process clearer and less stressful.
We can help by:
- Reviewing your work history to identify how asbestos exposure occurred
- Assisting with asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma lawsuits
- Explaining compensation options for caregivers and surviving family
- Connecting you with free resources like support groups and respite care
Taking the next step does not have to be complicated. Call (866) 608-8933 or request a free case review with our partner law firm to learn what compensation and support options may be available to you.
Owens Corning Asbestos Exposure FAQs
What is the lawsuit against Owens Corning?
The lawsuits against Owens Corning focus on asbestos in some of the company’s older products. Many people who worked with these materials later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases 10-50 years later.
As more cases came to light, Owens Corning filed for bankruptcy and set up an asbestos trust to handle claims. In some situations, people may also have the option to file a lawsuit if other companies were involved in their exposure.
What percentage does Fibreboard pay the asbestos trust?
The Fibreboard asbestos trust, which is connected to Owens Corning, pays approved claims at a set percentage of their value. Right now, that payment percentage is 4.7%. This system helps the trust make sure funds are still available for people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the future.
Some people may also qualify for additional trust fund payouts or mesothelioma settlements tied to other companies involved in their asbestos exposure.
Reach out to us to connect with a mesothelioma law firm that can explain which options may apply to your situation.
Does Owens Corning fiberglass insulation contain asbestos?
Owens Corning’s fiberglass insulation made today doesn’t contain asbestos and is considered safe. The concern stems from older insulation and pipe-covering products that were manufactured and installed many years ago.
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma today were exposed in the past, often while working in construction, shipyards, factories, or industrial buildings. If you worked around insulation years ago and now have mesothelioma, it may help to have an asbestos law firm review your work history.
Do Owens Corning products still contain asbestos?
No. Owens Corning no longer uses asbestos in its products. The company stopped manufacturing asbestos-containing materials in the late 1970s as the health risks became widely known.
Today, its insulation and building materials, including fiberglass insulation, are asbestos-free. However, older Owens Corning products installed before the phase-out may still be present in homes, schools, factories, shipyards, and commercial buildings.
Who can file an asbestos claim against Owens Corning?
People diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness may qualify if they were exposed to through Owens Corning products. This includes workers who handled insulation, family members exposed at home, and many Navy veterans who encountered asbestos during service.
You don’t need to have all the answers upfront. A free case review of your work records and medical history can help determine whether a claim makes sense for you.
How long does it take to receive compensation from the Owens Corning trust fund?
Once a trust fund claim is submitted to the Owens Corning asbestos trust, it moves fairly quickly. In many cases, families receive compensation in as few as 90 days, though the payout timeline can vary depending on the details of the claim.
Lawsuits usually take longer than trust claims, especially if a case goes to trial. That said, nearly all mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court, which can significantly shorten the timeline.
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