Wisconsin workers, particularly those in the Fox River Valley paper mills, have some of the strongest asbestos trust fund claims in the country. A paper mill worker’s daily contact with asbestos-containing products from multiple manufacturers means their claim can reach across many trusts simultaneously.
More than $30 billion remains in 60+ active trusts. These trusts accept new claims and pay qualifying claimants on a rolling basis. For Wisconsin families dealing with the state’s highest-in-the-nation mesothelioma rate, trust fund claims represent a significant and accessible source of compensation.
Trusts Most Relevant to Wisconsin Workers
| Trust | Products/Industry | Wisconsin Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Johns-Manville Trust | Pipe insulation, building products | Used in paper mills, factories, and shipyards statewide |
| Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust | Insulation, roofing | Present in industrial and commercial buildings |
| Pittsburgh Corning Trust | Glass block, pipe insulation | Paper mill steam systems, construction trades |
| Dana/Garlock Trust | Gaskets, packing, seals | Paper machine components, pump and valve maintenance |
| Babcock & Wilcox Trust | Boilers, power generation | Power plants and paper mill boiler houses |
| Combustion Engineering Trust | Power plant equipment | Industrial boiler systems across WI |
| U.S. Gypsum Trust | Joint compound, construction products | Commercial and residential construction |
| Certainteed Trust | Building products, insulation | Construction trades statewide |
Paper Mill Workers
Paper mill workers have the broadest trust fund eligibility because a single mill contained asbestos products from many manufacturers. Pipe insulation came from one company, gaskets from another, machine felt from a third, brake pads from a fourth. An experienced attorney can trace these connections using product databases and employment records.
Manufacturing Workers
Milwaukee manufacturing workers were exposed to asbestos insulation, gaskets, and components from companies that now have active trusts. Workers at A.O. Smith, Allis-Chalmers, and similar operations can often identify five to 10 applicable trusts based on the products used at their specific facility. Several of these trusts, including the Dana/Garlock Trust and the Federal-Mogul Trust, overlap with those available to Ohio steelworkers and Michigan auto workers, since the same gasket and insulation products were used across Midwest industry.
Shipyard Workers
Great Lakes shipyard workers at Manitowoc, Sturgeon Bay, and Milwaukee face a concentrated exposure profile. Shipbuilding used asbestos from dozens of manufacturers for insulation, pipe covering, fireproofing, and machinery. These workers often qualify for the highest number of trust fund claims. The same trusts that apply to Wisconsin shipyard workers, particularly Johns-Manville, Pittsburgh Corning, and Babcock and Wilcox, are also central to claims from Michigan’s Great Lakes shipyards and Florida’s naval facilities.
Filing Process
- Diagnosis documentation. Pathology reports confirming mesothelioma.
- Exposure evidence. Work history placing the claimant at sites where specific products were used.
- Claim submission. Forms filed with each applicable trust.
- Review and payment. Trusts review and pay claims, typically within three to 12 months.
Most trusts offer expedited review for people with mesothelioma. This can shorten processing to two to three months for qualifying claims. For those navigating treatment alongside the claims process, the 2026 treatment landscape overview covers the current state of available therapies.
Trust Claims and Other Compensation
Trust fund claims are independent of other compensation sources. Filing a trust claim does not reduce, offset, or affect:
- Lawsuit settlements or verdicts
- VA disability benefits for veterans exposed during military service
- Workers’ compensation claims through the state system
Most families pursue all applicable sources simultaneously.
How much can Wisconsin workers receive from trust funds?▼
Individual trust claims typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 each. Because most people with mesothelioma, especially paper mill workers, file with multiple trusts, combined recoveries typically range from $150,000 to $400,000.
Do paper mill workers have stronger trust claims?▼
Generally yes. Paper mills used asbestos products from many different manufacturers, which means a single worker can file claims with 10 to 20 trusts. Workers in industries with fewer asbestos product sources may qualify for fewer trusts.
Is there a deadline to file trust fund claims?▼
Each trust has its own filing deadlines, which vary. Filing promptly after diagnosis is recommended to preserve all options.
Can family members file trust fund claims?▼
Yes. If the person with mesothelioma has died, family members or estate representatives can file claims on their behalf. Most trusts accept wrongful death claims.
Do trust fund payments affect my lawsuit?▼
Trust fund claims and lawsuits proceed independently. Filing trust claims does not reduce any lawsuit settlement or verdict. Most families pursue both at the same time.
References
U.S. Courts. U.S. Courts Asbestos Bankruptcy Information.
https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/asbestos
RAND Corporation. RAND Institute Report on Asbestos Trust Fund Payments.
https://www.rand.org/topics/asbestos.html