GAF Industries / Ruberoid Asbestos Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the GAF Trust
About the GAF Trust
GAF Industries (formerly Ruberoid Company) was a major manufacturer of asbestos-containing roofing products, asphalt shingles, and various building materials from the 1940s through the early 1980s. GAF roofing felt and built-up roofing systems were installed on millions of commercial and industrial roofs nationwide. The company faced extensive asbestos personal injury litigation and resolved its liability through a 2003 reorganization plan establishing the GAF Industries / Ruberoid Asbestos Trust.
The trust pays at 13% pro rata on a $50,000 scheduled mesothelioma value, producing estimated payouts of $5,500–$7,500 per claim. Combined with Celotex, Flintkote, and other roofing-products trusts, GAF claims contribute meaningfully to total compensation for roofing-trade claimants.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The GAF Trust is a primary filing for commercial roofers, construction workers, and demolition workers exposed to GAF products. The 13% pro rata is roughly mid-range for asbestos trusts, and the combined value with other roofing trusts produces meaningful per-claim totals.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers GAF roofing felt, asphalt shingles, built-up roofing systems, and various building materials manufactured during the 1940-1985 exposure window. Roofing felt is the largest claim category. GAF's product line included both residential and commercial roofing materials.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Roofing materials
- Asphalt shingles
- Building materials
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the GAF Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to GAF Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1945–1990)
- 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 from the 1950-1985 era have the strongest documentation paths. Residential roofers who handled GAF asphalt shingles also have eligible exposure. Construction workers, building maintenance personnel, and demolition workers handling GAF roofing materials qualify. Multi-trust filing across GAF, Celotex, Flintkote, Manville, and Owens Corning is standard for roofing-trade claimants.
How to file with the GAF 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: $50,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 13%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $5,500–$7,500.
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 GAF Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The GAF Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to roofing materials 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 GAF Trust
- Celotex Trust — 5.5% pro rata, est. payout $3,000–$5,000
- Flintkote Trust — 11% pro rata, est. payout $4,500–$6,500
- 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
- USG Trust — 30% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$24,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The GAF 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
Did GAF asphalt shingles contain asbestos?
Yes — many GAF asphalt shingle products manufactured before approximately 1985 contained chrysotile asbestos as a strengthening fiber. Residential roofers who handled these shingles routinely have eligible exposure history.
I was a residential roofer, not commercial. Does GAF apply?
Yes. GAF's residential asphalt shingles were a major product line, distributed through home improvement retailers nationwide. Residential roofers from the 1950-1985 period typically have eligible exposure to GAF products.
What's the difference between GAF and Ruberoid?
GAF (General Aniline & Film) acquired Ruberoid Company in 1967, combining the operations. The trust covers products manufactured under both the Ruberoid and GAF brand names. Workers exposed to either brand file with the same trust.
How does GAF combine with other roofing trusts for total compensation?
A typical commercial roofer from the 1965-1985 era qualifies for: GAF, Celotex, Flintkote, Johns-Manville (asbestos cement), and Owens Corning (some roofing products). Combined estimated payouts across these five trusts often total $30,000–$60,000 — meaningful even though no single trust pays large amounts.
Can I file GAF claims for fire-damaged roof tear-offs?
Yes. Fire damage and emergency tear-off work on commercial buildings with GAF roofing systems generates significant asbestos exposure when materials are broken and torn during cleanup. Firefighters and post-fire demolition crews can 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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