Asbestos Trust Funds for Wisconsin Workers
How Wisconsin paper mill workers, manufacturers, and shipyard workers can file asbestos trust fund claims. Key trusts and filing process.
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 per-capita mesothelioma incidence rate in the US (1.24 per 100,000, 2022 CDC data), 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 |
| Garlock Sealing Technologies 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 |
| Flintkote Trust | Building products, cement, roofing | Construction trades statewide |
| Federal-Mogul Asbestos PI Trust (T&N / Bendix) | Brake linings, clutch facings, gaskets | Milwaukee manufacturing workers at A.O. Smith, Allis-Chalmers, and similar plants |
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 Garlock Sealing Technologies 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.
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
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
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 simultaneously, the total recovery across all applicable trusts is substantially higher than any single claim.
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.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost?
Workers’ compensation insurance costs for small businesses average $54 per month ($643 annually), based on median policies from Insureon customers. Progressive Commercial reported a 2025 median of $76 monthly for new customers, with an average of $121 due to higher-risk policies. Premiums are calculated per $100 of payroll and vary by industry (e.g., $12.10 for construction, $0.75 for clerical), state, payroll size, claims history, and employee count. Low-risk professions like accountants may start at $10 monthly with some providers. National data show employer costs averaged $0.74 per $100 payroll in select states like Ohio in 2019.
Is Wisconsin's unemployment going up in 2026?
Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 2.9% in November 2025 to 3.0% in December 2025, 3.3% in January 2026, 3.4% in February 2026, and 3.5% in March 2026. Not seasonally adjusted data from the Federal Reserve shows it increased to 3.9% in January, 4.3% in February, and 4.0% in March 2026. These figures remain below the national rate, which stood at 4.6% in November 2025 and was 0.8 points higher than Wisconsin’s in March 2026.
What jobs are most in demand in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s fastest-growing jobs from 2022 to 2032 include wind turbine service technicians (75% growth, adding 30 jobs), nurse practitioners (51% growth, adding 2,530 jobs), computer and information research scientists (44% growth, adding 40 jobs), and data scientists (43% growth, adding 1,230 jobs). In-demand occupations with high openings emphasize healthcare roles such as home health aides, registered nurses, nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians, alongside office support like bookkeeping clerks and customer service representatives. South-central Wisconsin projections highlight general and operations managers, accountants and auditors, software developers, and sales representatives as top careers combining growth, wages, and openings.