How do asbestos trust funds work?

Short answer: When asbestos companies went bankrupt, courts required them to fund trusts to pay current and future victims. GAO found 60 trusts had been set up since 1988, holding about $37 billion in assets. You can file with every trust whose products you were exposed to, usually without going to court.

Each trust sets a scheduled value for each disease and pays only a payment percentage of it, because it has to save money for future claimants. GAO reported percentages ranging from about 1% to 100%, with a median of 25%. At the 25% median, a claim is paid one quarter of its scheduled value, before fees.

  • What you need: a diagnosis and proof of exposure to that company’s products, such as work history, union or military records and coworker statements.
  • Several trusts: many people qualify for more than one.
  • Lawsuits too: a trust claim does not stop a lawsuit against companies still in business.

A free, confidential case review can help map your work history to the right trusts.

SourcesGAO-11-819U.S. GAO, 2011Asbestos trusts studyRAND, 2011

Checked against primary sources on November 13, 2026 by Mason Arnao. This is general information, not legal advice. Related: Average mesothelioma settlement.

Deadlines usually start at diagnosis

Most states start the filing clock when mesothelioma is diagnosed, and many allow only one to three years. Asbestos trusts have their own filing rules. GAO on asbestos trusts

Free · Confidential · No obligation

Free mesothelioma Case Review

Tell us what happened and a trained case advisor will review it. You choose whether you want to be contacted.

  1. 1
    Share the basicsYour diagnosis, work history and exposure sites.
  2. 2
    A case advisor reviews itAgainst trusts, defendants and your state deadline.
  3. 3
    You decide what happens nextNo cost and no obligation.
  • Documented figures onlyGAO, RAND and NCI sources
  • Every answer is citedEach answer links its primary source
  • Free and confidentialNo cost and no obligation to continue
  • Not a law firmA trained case advisor makes the first contact
Secure, encrypted form About 2 minutes Free review

Prefer to talk it through?

Call 855-664-8713Text 954-933-5065

TortAdvisor is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. A trained case advisor, not an attorney, may make the first contact. See our partner list and privacy policy.

Mason Arnao

About Mason Arnao

Mason David Arnao Mason David Arnao is an American entrepreneur, software engineer, and business executive based in Stuart, Florida. His career spans more than two decades in technology, automation, and lead generation systems. Arnao began his professional journey in the late 1990s as a computer technician for the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was responsible for linking scoreboards, officials’ laptops, and stat monitors to broadcast networks. His technical precision and systems knowledge led him to join Professional Hospital Supply as a software engineer. There, he developed applications that improved data flow between medical suppliers and healthcare institutions, solidifying his foundation in enterprise-grade software development. By the early 2000's, Arnao advanced into web and SaaS infrastructure through Website Buddy LLC, a Florida-based development firm focused on building web tools for small businesses and online marketers. The experience refined his understanding of user-driven software and scalable online systems. In 2013, Arnao founded Waypoint Software, LLC, headquartered in Stuart, Florida. As President and Managing Partner, he built the company into a recognized provider of lead generation and real-time lead distribution technology. Waypoint’s software automates the acquisition, validation, and routing of consumer inquiries for marketing firms and data aggregators worldwide. The company serves hundreds of clients and is listed by the Better Business Bureau under “Sales Lead Generation.” Through Waypoint Software, Arnao has become a notable figure in the digital lead industry, combining technical engineering with automation strategy. His focus on system reliability, transparent data flow, and scalable integrations continues to position Waypoint as an industry leader in real-time lead management solutions.