Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust Fund
Armstrong World Industries has a history of manufacturing asbestos-containing products, including floor tiles, felt, and cork pipe insulation. Anyone who worked or used its products containing asbestos is at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Contact the Gori Law Firm—we represent asbestos exposure victims and can help you file a claim for compensation from Armstrong Asbestos Trust.
Navigate this page
- What Is the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust?
- Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?
- How to File a Claim With the Armstrong Asbestos Trust
- How Much Compensation Can You Receive?
- How Long Does It Take To Receive Compensation?
- Can Family Members File a Claim?
- Do I Need a Lawyer to File an Asbestos Trust Claim?
- Are Asbestos Trust Fund Compensations Taxable?
- Get Help Filing Your Armstrong Asbestos Trust Claim Today
What Is the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust?
Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust Fund was established in 2006. After facing an onslaught of personal injury lawsuits, the company established the fund as part of its bankruptcy. Victims claimed certain Armstrong World Industries products caused them to develop severe asbestos-related health issues such as mesothelioma.
The company initially funded the trust with $2.1 billion. The money compensates victims who can directly tie their asbestos-related illnesses to the company’s products. The fund’s administrators review each victim’s claim and supporting evidence before issuing a payment, and compensation varies based on the severity of illness, the extent of losses, and other factors.
According to the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust Fund, current payouts are about 13.5% of a claim’s value. This means if your claim is worth a certain amount, you will get 13.5 percent of that amount as compensation. However, many asbestos victims have valid claims against multiple trust funds. The award-winning asbestos exposure lawyers at The Gori Law can help you file for payments from several funds to maximize compensation.
History of Armstrong World Industries and Asbestos Use
Armstrong World Industries was first formed in 1860 to produce cork bottle stoppers. As the business grew, it expanded to other product lines. Many of its products from the early 1900s through the mid-1980s contained asbestos fibers.
Some examples of Armstrong asbestos products include:
- Ceiling tiles
- Laminate and linoleum flooring
- Insulation
- Ceiling boards
- Carpeting
- Acoustic cement
- Felt
- Paper
Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?
Anyone who regularly worked or used Armstrong’s asbestos-containing products is at risk of developing severe illness. Asbestos trust funds establish strict eligibility criteria to qualify for compensation. The eligibility criteria safeguard fund payouts for victims of the company’s asbestos products and protect against unjustified claims.
Who is eligible for compensation from the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust?
Plant workers, contractors, construction workers, and others who inhaled asbestos dust at job sites or factories are just a few examples of potential victims who can get compensation. Family members of victims and customers who have been exposed may also be eligible.
Active service members and veterans are also at high risk of military asbestos exposure, as every branch of the U.S. military has used asbestos for various purposes.
To qualify for compensation, you must demonstrate that you have an asbestos-related medical condition and meet exposure requirements. Examples of approved medical conditions include:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Pharyngeal cancer
- Asbestosis
- Pleural disease
Fund administrators review doctor’s statements, diagnoses, and laboratory tests to verify your medical condition. They also consider the length of time you were exposed to asbestos from Armstrong World Industries products.
Most claims require at least six months of asbestos exposure to the company’s products before December 31, 1982, although requirements vary. Some Armstrong World Industries asbestos claims also require proof of significant occupational exposure over at least five years.
Common Occupations at Risk for Armstrong Asbestos Exposure
Anyone who handled asbestos materials or worked around them may be at risk of developing disease, and occupational asbestos exposure is most common for certain workers, including:
- Construction workers
- Drywallers
- Electricians
- Plasterers
- Roofers
- Maintenance personnel
- Tile setters
- Factory employees
- Shipyard workers
How to File a Claim With the Armstrong Asbestos Trust
Wondering how to file a claim with the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust? Below is a short, step-by-step guide:
1. Gather Documentation
Administrators require claimants to demonstrate evidence of an asbestos exposure illness. To meet that requirement, share all medical documents related to your condition.
You must also demonstrate asbestos exposure to Armstrong World Industries products through your job. You may meet the criteria if you worked at one of the company’s plants or used its products in your regular line of work.
2. Decide What Type of Claim to File
The Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust accepts expedited and individual review claims. An Expedited Review (ER) requires less processing time but may pay less compensation. Individual Reviews (IR) take longer to resolve, but victims may qualify for more damages.
3. Work With an Attorney for Best Results
An attorney with experience in asbestos exposure claims can help you recover maximum compensation. At Gori Law Firm, we specialize in these claims, and our lawyers regularly represent clients suffering from debilitating illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. With our help, you can avoid common mistakes that result in low settlements or claim denials.
Required Documents for a Successful Claim
Trust fund administrators consider several documents during the claims review process:
- Physician statements and diagnoses
- X-rays
- CT scans
- Pulmonary function testing
- Pathology reports
They will also want to see your work history. If you worked at an Armstrong World Industries factory, that may be enough to locate your personnel records and confirm potential exposure. Non-employees may use other evidence, such as job site records, to demonstrate some connection.
You must also complete certain forms to initiate a claim with the trust fund. One of our experienced asbestos exposure attorneys can assist you with filing your claim and compiling the necessary documents for a strong claim for compensation.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive?
What is the average payout from the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust?
Based on the Fund’s scheduled values, payouts vary from $400 to $110,000 through the Review Process, and claims submitted for an Individual Review may recover more compensation. Here is the current schedule for ER and IR claims:
| Diagnosis: | IR/ER Scheduled Claim Value: | Average Value: | IR Maximum Claim Value: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $110,000 | $130,500 | $400,000 |
| Lung Cancer I | $42,500 | $43,800 | $150,000 |
| Lung Cancer II | None | $15,000 | $50,000 |
| Other Cancer | $21,500 | $21,800 | $75,000 |
| Severe Asbestosis | $42,500 | $44,300 | $140,000 |
| Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (Level III) | $9,700 | $10,100 | $20,000 |
| Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (Level II) | $3,700 | $4,200 | $10,000 |
| Other Asbestos Disease | $400 | None | None |
Factors That Affect Trust Fund Payouts
Disease severity, exposure history, and your legal representation—or lack thereof—can all impact your payout. Generally, trust funds reserve their largest settlements for people with severe asbestos-related illnesses. Non-malignant and treatable illnesses receive less compensation.
Trust funds also limit payouts to victims who can show exposure occurred with the company’s products. Claimants who can’t tie their illness to Armstrong’s products, factories, or plants will fail to meet the trust’s exposure requirements.
Gori Law’s qualified lawyers will painstakingly prepare your claim so there’s less risk of denial or a low payout. We can also explore other compensation options that may be available to you, such as filing claims with other trust funds or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Compensation?
How long it takes to receive compensation from the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust depends on the type of claim filed.
ER claims may take weeks or months to review and settle. IR claims can take much longer, especially if trust fund administrators have questions or require extra evidence.
Some claims take under 90 days to pay out, but your case’s complexity and other factors can impact how long it takes to receive compensation. Your attorney can provide a personalized estimate of when to expect compensation.
Can Family Members File a Claim?
Yes, it’s possible to file a claim with the Armstrong Asbestos Trust Fund if you’re the surviving family member of an asbestos-exposure victim. To do so, you will need to submit evidence of your loved one’s illness and exposure history. The fund will issue a payout if all criteria are met.
Another option available for victim’s families is a wrongful death lawsuit. In such a claim, family members may pursue multiple parties for damages related to their loved one’s death. Damages may help pay for the individual’s medical expenses and funeral costs. They can also compensate loved ones for emotional distress and loss of financial support.
If you’ve lost a loved one to mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, get help from a qualified attorney. A lawyer can explain the legal options available to you.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File an Asbestos Trust Claim?
You may be asking whether you need a lawyer to file a claim. The Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust Fund doesn’t require claim applicants to have legal representation. However, it’s worth hiring an attorney to assist you with your asbestos trust fund claim process.
A lawyer’s experience with asbestos claims can save time and prevent common mistakes. Your attorney can also explain other options that might apply to your case, such as filing a lawsuit or seeking compensation through other trust funds. Their assistance can also improve your chances of recovering a maximum payout.
Why Choose Gori Law for Your Claim?
The Gori Law Firm is a leading advocate of mesothelioma and asbestos-related personal injury claims. Our attorneys are proud of our case results, which include recovering over $4 billion for mesothelioma victims and their families through settlements and verdicts.
When you hire us, expect a team of professional, empathetic attorneys who work tirelessly toward a successful outcome on your behalf. We take great pride in what our clients say about our efficiency, attention to detail, and support throughout the claims process.
Are Asbestos Trust Fund Compensations Taxable?
According to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines, money from a personal injury lawsuit is not taxable if the award is directly tied to a physical injury. This includes payments for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress if they relate to the asbestos exposure injury.
Punitive damages, compensation awarded to punish the responsible party, may be taxable if awarded in an asbestos lawsuit. However, there is an exception for non-taxable punitive damages in wrongful death cases, where state law only allows recovery for punitive damages and no other types of compensation.
Get Help Filing Your Armstrong Asbestos Trust Claim Today
If you or a loved one has an asbestos-related disease, you may seek compensation from Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust or similar trusts established for victims. The skilled attorneys at Gori Law have substantial experience with trust fund claims, and we can help you obtain maximum compensation for your losses.
Take action now. Schedule a free case review to get legal help for your asbestos exposure claim today. Get in touch by calling our nationwide toll-free number at (618) 659-9833 or completing our online intake form.
