Trust Claim Settlement Values

Wondering what an asbestos trust claim is actually worth? On this page, we break down how asbestos bankruptcy trusts calculate settlements—and show real payout amounts for mesothelioma claims across dozens of trusts.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible for compensation from dozens of asbestos bankruptcy trusts. These trusts were set up by companies that used or made asbestos products and later filed for bankruptcy. On this page, we explain how these trusts calculate payouts—and show real-world examples of mesothelioma settlements to give you a clear picture of what you may be entitled to.

Each trust assigns a scheduled value to different asbestos-related diseases based on how that company historically handled lawsuits. For example, if a company typically settled mesothelioma claims for $300,000 before bankruptcy, the trust they funded may assign a scheduled value of $300,000 to mesothelioma claims today.

The goal of this system is consistency and fairness: someone diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2025 should be treated similarly to someone who filed a lawsuit in 1975 or 2010. The trust system ensures that people with similar injuries are compensated in a consistent and predictable way, even decades apart.

Scheduled Values vs. Actual Payments

Every asbestos trust has a “scheduled value” for each disease. This is the baseline payout amount a claimant might expect before adjustments. However, most trusts can only afford to pay a percentage of that scheduled value due to limited funding.

That percentage—called the payment percentage—is determined by the trust based on its assets, expected future claims, and overall financial outlook.

For example:

• A trust may assign a scheduled value of $300,000 for mesothelioma

• If its payment percentage is 10%, the actual payout is $30,000

Can Trusts Pay More Than the Scheduled Value?

Yes—many asbestos trusts offer a process called Individual Review (IR) that allows for higher payouts than the standard scheduled value. Unlike expedited claims, which are paid at a fixed percentage, IR lets us present additional evidence about your unique situation—such as unusually severe illness, lost income, young dependents, or extensive exposure history.

Individual Review can sometimes double—or even triple—a trust’s standard payout.

However, IR takes substantially longer and doesn’t always result in a higher offer. That’s why we carefully evaluate each trust claim and only recommend IR when we believe it will substantially increase your compensation.

What Determines a Trust’s Value and Payment Percentage?

Three major factors influence both the scheduled values and the actual payments:

1. Historic Settlement Practices
   Trusts are designed to reflect what the company used to pay in settlements. If a company routinely paid $250,000 to settle mesothelioma cases before bankruptcy, that becomes the benchmark.

2. Company Size and Assets
   Larger companies with substantial assets and insurance coverage typically funded their trusts more generously. That allows for higher scheduled values and, sometimes, higher payment percentages.

3. Volume of Expected Claims
   Trusts anticipate future claims over decades. To make sure there’s enough money for future victims, they often pay only a portion of the scheduled value—sometimes as low as 1–5%. A few well-funded trusts may pay 20% or more.

Asbestos Trust Claim Settlement Values for Mesothelioma

To help explain how trust values work in practice, the table below shows a selection of current trust values for mesothelioma, the most serious and widely recognized asbestos-related disease. Every active trust pays for mesothelioma claims, making it the most useful baseline for comparison.

Note: This is only a sample. Other diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis, and colorectal cancer are also compensated by many trusts—but not every trust. Values and eligibility requirements for each disease vary widely from trust to trust. Contact us at 833-4-ASBESTOS if you have specific questions about an asbestos-related disease.

*The Scheduled Value is what the trust would pay if it had unlimited funds. Most trusts only pay a fraction of that amount because otherwise the trusts would have run out of money many years ago.

As shown in the table above, a person who qualified for every asbestos trust would have a scheduled settlement value of $5,831,133.00, but due to payment percentages would receive $923,876.00. Most people who were exposed to asbestos qualify for multiple trusts. Some of our clients qualify for 20, 30, or even more trusts—adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation - all without going to court or being questioned by a hostile attorney for the other side.

And in many mesothelioma cases—especially for household exposure cases—pursuing Individual Review leads to total trust payouts that exceed $1 million.

Get a Free, No-Obligation Trust Claim Review

We’ve helped thousands of families recover compensation from asbestos trusts—often without ever filing a lawsuit. Our team will:

• Review your work and medical history

• Determine which trusts you may qualify for

• Identify where Individual Review may increase your payout

• Let you know whether you may also be eligible for an asbestos lawsuit

Call 833-4-ASBESTOS (833-427-2378) or Schedule your free consultation online with the form below.

We’ll explain your options, maximize your compensation, and handle every step of the process—so you can focus on your health and your family.