Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Celotex Trust
About the Celotex Trust
The Celotex Corporation manufactured asbestos-containing roofing materials, roof insulation, ceiling tiles, and various building products from the 1920s through the early 1980s. Celotex products were installed on commercial roofs, in residential ceilings, and in industrial fireproofing applications nationwide. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1990 after extensive asbestos personal injury litigation.
The Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust was confirmed in 1998 — making it one of the longer-running asbestos trusts. The trust currently pays at 5.5% pro rata on a $70,000 scheduled mesothelioma value, producing estimated payouts in the $3,000–$5,000 range. While individually modest, Celotex claims are typically filed alongside several other roofing-related trusts (GAF, Flintkote) for cumulative effect.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Celotex Trust is a primary filing for roofing trades, construction workers, and ceiling tile installers from the asbestos era. Despite the modest pro rata percentage, the trust's broad exposure window and varied product line make it a routine filing for construction-trade claimants.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers Celotex roofing felt, asbestos-containing roof insulation, acoustical ceiling tiles, fireproofing products, and various building materials manufactured during the 1920-1985 exposure window. Roofing felt is the most frequently cited product — installed on commercial flat roofs by roofing crews who handled rolls of felt with asbestos backing.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Roofing felt
- Roof insulation
- Ceiling tiles
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Celotex Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Celotex Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1950–1985)
- Work history records placing you at a job site where these products were used (employer records, union records, witness statements, military service records)
- Medical documentation (pathology reports, imaging, treating physician records)
Commercial roofers have the strongest documentation paths. Construction laborers and general construction workers who worked on roof installations also qualify. Demolition workers who removed Celotex roofing during commercial building tear-downs may have eligible exposure. Insulators who installed Celotex roof insulation panels are well-positioned. Ceiling tile installers in commercial buildings can have eligible exposure documentation.
How to file with the Celotex Trust
- Gather documentation — diagnosis records, work history, military service records (DD-214), product identification
- Complete the trust's claim form — Each trust has its own form
- File with all applicable trusts — multi-trust filing simultaneously is the standard approach
- Trust review — typically 3–9 months
- Payment — typically 2–6 months after approval
Most claimants qualify for several trusts, not just one. Filing with all applicable trusts at once maximizes total compensation. Start your free case review and we'll identify every applicable trust for your specific work history.
Compensation amounts
Reported scheduled value for mesothelioma claims: $70,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 5.5%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $3,000–$5,000.
These figures are based on Trust Distribution Procedures (TDPs) and historical payout data. Pro rata percentages can change. Actual recovery varies by case factors including diagnosis severity, exposure documentation, and trust funding levels at the time of payment. Past payouts do not guarantee future amounts.
Common qualifying occupations
The Celotex Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Celotex Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to roofing felt were also exposed to products covered by other bankruptcy trusts. Filing with multiple trusts simultaneously is standard practice and significantly increases total compensation.
Related trusts that often apply alongside the Celotex Trust
- Johns Manville Trust — 5.1% pro rata, est. payout $1,100–$4,500
- Owens Corning / Fibreboard Trust — 26.2% pro rata, est. payout $45,000–$70,000
- W.R. Grace Trust — 31% pro rata, est. payout $50,000–$65,000
- GAF Trust — 13% pro rata, est. payout $5,500–$7,500
- UNR Trust — 4% pro rata, est. payout $800–$1,200
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Celotex Trust generally accepts claims on a rolling basis with no fixed annual deadline, though the trust may modify procedures from time to time. The applicable statute of limitations for the underlying asbestos claim depends on your state of residence and typically runs from the date of diagnosis (1–3 years in most states for personal injury; longer for wrongful death in some jurisdictions).
Always verify current deadlines with the trust administrator or a licensed attorney before filing. We track deadlines for our clients so you don't miss a filing window.
Frequently asked questions
I was a commercial roofer in the 1970s. Is Celotex the right trust?
Celotex is one of several roofing trusts to file with. You should also consider GAF Industries Trust, Flintkote Trust, and Manville Trust (broad construction-products coverage). Most commercial roofers from the 1950-1985 era qualify for 4-7 trusts simultaneously.
Was Celotex roofing felt the only asbestos roofing material?
No — multiple manufacturers produced asbestos-containing roofing felt and built-up roofing materials. Johns-Manville, GAF, Flintkote, and others all manufactured competing products. Most commercial roofs of the era used multiple manufacturers' products in layered systems.
I demolished a commercial building with Celotex roofing in 1995. Am I exposed?
Yes — demolition of buildings with intact asbestos-containing roofing materials releases asbestos fibers when the materials are torn, broken, or chipped. Demolition workers from the 1990s onward have eligible exposure claims, though the exposure period was reduced compared to era workers.
Why is the Celotex pro rata so low?
The Celotex Trust was funded based on 1990s claim projections. Like Manville, actual claim volume has tracked higher than projected, requiring lower per-claim pro rata percentages to maintain the trust's ability to pay all current and future claimants equitably.
Does Celotex cover ceiling tiles?
Yes — Celotex acoustical ceiling tiles manufactured during certain product lines and time periods contained asbestos. Ceiling tile installers and acoustical contractors from the 1950-1980 period typically have eligible exposure documentation.
Sources and verification
Information on this page is based on publicly available Trust Distribution Procedures (TDPs), bankruptcy court Plans of Reorganization (PACER), trust annual reports, and RAND Institute for Civil Justice asbestos trust research. Reviewed quarterly.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-03 · Next scheduled review: 2026-08-03
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