Bankrupt asbestos companies established asbestos trust funds to compensate people who developed mesothelioma and other illnesses from their products. Asbestos trust funds contain over $30 billion as of 2025. See if you can access mesothelioma trust funds for compensation without ever going to court or filing a lawsuit.
Legally reviewed by: Melissa Crowe Schopfer
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What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?
Asbestos trust funds are large amounts of money set aside by asbestos companies for eligible mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.
The first trusts were set up 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.
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.
You could get hundreds of thousands of dollars or more by filing claims with multiple trusts — without ever setting foot in court. Many of the people we’ve helped received their first asbestos trust payouts within 90 days.
Who Can Access Asbestos Trust Funds?
Asbestos trusts hold billions of dollars meant solely to help people with mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related illnesses.
You may be able to file claims with an asbestos trust fund if:
You were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease. OR
Someone in your family was diagnosed with or passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Even if you don’t know how you were exposed to asbestos, our team can determine if you’re owed money from a mesothelioma trust.
Find out if you qualify for asbestos trust fund compensation right now.
Only U.S. veterans and their families are eligible.
Married veterans get $4,044.91 per month in tax-free disability compensation
Our team can check if you qualify for asbestos trust fund settlements and help start your claims. Contact us today to learn more.
Asbestos trust funds contain over $30 billion for eligible mesothelioma patients and their families. By filing trust fund claims, you could receive compensation in as few as 90 days without going to court. Call us at (866) 608-8933 to see if you qualify. View Transcript.
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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.
Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts in 2025
Mesothelioma treatment is expensive, and the money sitting in asbestos trust funds is there solely to help families like yours cover the cost of medical care. Asbestos payout timelines vary from case to case, but most claims start paying out compensation within 90 days.
What is the average payout for asbestos trust funds?
The average payout for asbestos trust funds is $300,000 to $400,000 in total for 2025.
You may also secure $1 million or more by filing asbestos lawsuits in addition to claims with mesothelioma trust funds.
The amount of money you can get from asbestos trust funds depends on a few factors:
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, which can range from 1% to 100%, are used to make sure there’s enough money left to compensate future asbestos victims.
Your diagnosis. The type of asbestos-related disease you have also affects your compensation. Mesothelioma patients usually receive higher payouts because their treatments are more expensive and more intensive than those for asbestosis or lung cancer.
An asbestos lawyer can carefully consider these details to secure the highest possible payout for you.
Asbestos Trust Fund List
More than 100 companies have established asbestos bankruptcy trusts since the early 1980s. Over 60 of these trusts are still active as of 2025.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have been exposed to products made by one or more of the asbestos companies in the mesothelioma trust fund list below — and you may qualify for a payout.
Not sure which asbestos trust funds you might qualify for? Our team can get you answers and begin filing claims on your behalf. Contact us for help accessing 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:
See which mesothelioma trust funds you qualify for
File claims with each one on your behalf
Quickly secure mesothelioma trust payouts for you
See if you can get additional payouts 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.
“My lawyer went out of his way to make sure I understood that my health and welfare came first.”
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 with each asbestos trust fund you qualify for on your behalf.
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.
“I don’t know how these companies slept at night, knowing people were being exposed to asbestos, poisoning their bodies. They need to pay anyone who’s been affected by this.”
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.
5. Receive Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts
Once your asbestos trust claim has been reviewed, it will be paid out to you. How much money you’ll get from liquidation depends on which asbestos disease you have, how much the trust pays, and other factors.
Your mesothelioma law firm will notify you how much your trust fund claim will pay and when you can expect to receive compensation. Many people receive their first payouts within 90 days.
“One check showed up, and then another check showed up, and then another, and they’re still coming in now. It’s been very satisfying, and what I know is that my wife will be taken care of for the rest of her life after I’m gone.”
Call (866) 608-8933 now to learn how much you could get from asbestos trust funds and start the claims process.
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 trust funds without a lawyer’s help.
Lawyers can help you navigate:
Eligibility: An experienced asbestos 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: Each asbestos trust fund sets its own deadline to file a claim, usually 2-3 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.
A good attorney will help you feel at ease by clearly explaining how they’ll secure mesothelioma trust fund compensation for you and answering any questions you have. Get connected with top lawyers now during a Free Case Review.
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 people every year develop asbestos-related diseases as a result.
More than $30 billion is available in asbestos trust fund compensation for victims of asbestos exposure 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 compensation options
The fund for asbestos victims refers to asbestos trust funds established by bankrupt companies that made, sold, or distributed asbestos products.
These trusts were created during bankruptcy proceedings to avoid liabilities and compensate people with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer from asbestos exposure.
To access these funds, asbestos victims work with a lawyer to file a claim proving their illness was caused by exposure to the company’s products.
What is the average payout for asbestos trust funds?
The average asbestos trust payout for mesothelioma is $300,000 to $400,000. This is typically how much a mesothelioma patient or their family members will get in total from all the trusts they qualify for.
Your potential payout will vary based on which trusts you can access, the asbestos-related illness you have, and other factors.
An asbestos attorney can help you find out how much money could be available in your case.
How much money is left in the asbestos trust fund?
More than $30 billion is still sitting in mesothelioma trust funds as of 2025. Multiple trust funds exist because many companies tried to avoid responsibility for lawsuits once the dangers of asbestos became clear.
These bankrupt asbestos companies were forced to establish these funds to compensate people who got sick from their products.
You and your family members can access some of this money if you’re eligible to file claims with asbestos trust funds. Contact us to get started.
How do asbestos trusts work?
Asbestos trust funds were created by bankrupt asbestos companies to avoid personal injury lawsuits. Today, these trust funds for mesothelioma hold billions of dollars for past, present, and future victims. Anyone who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease (or lost a loved one to one of these diseases) may be eligible for trust fund payouts.
Your legal team will file claims with trusts of companies that manufactured the products that hurt you or your loved one The trustees of the funds will then review your case and offer you a payout.
You can file asbestos trust fund claims without ever stepping foot in court, and many people start receiving compensation within 90 days.
How many asbestos trust funds are there?
As of 2025, there are over 60 active asbestos trust funds. You may qualify for compensation from multiple trusts, depending on which asbestos-containing products you were exposed to.
Are asbestos trust funds taxable?
No, payouts from mesothelioma trust funds are generally not taxable, but an asbestos lawyer can help determine if any taxes may apply in your case.
What is the percentage of payment for the Bondex asbestos trust?
The payout rate for an approved Bondex trust fund claim is 22%. This means that this particular trust pays 22% of a claim’s full value.
However, trust fund payment percentages can change over time. Call us at (866) 608-8933 to connect with a lawyer who can verify asbestos trust fund payment percentages and how they could impact your case.
Melissa Crowe Schopfer is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Over the past 10 years, Melissa has worked on over 500 cases and recovered more than $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of her clients. She has represented families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases in almost every state.
Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 17 years of professional experience. She attended college at the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008. Her writing has been featured in The Gainesville Sun and other regional publications throughout Florida.
Dixon, L., & McGovern, G. (2011, August 18). Links between asbestos bankruptcy trusts, tort cases examined. RAND Corporation. Retrieved December 27, 2024, from https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1104.html
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (n.d.). Asbestos Injury Compensation: the Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts. Retrieved December 27, 2024, from https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-11-819
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