Garlock Sealing Technologies Asbestos Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Garlock Trust
About the Garlock Trust
Garlock Sealing Technologies (formerly Garlock Inc.) was a leading manufacturer of asbestos-containing gaskets, valve packing, and compression seals for industrial, marine, and automotive applications. Garlock products were installed on virtually every Navy ship from the 1940s through the 1980s, in countless industrial facilities, and in automotive engine and brake components. The company's gaskets and packing were prized for high-temperature performance — properties enabled by chrysotile asbestos content.
Garlock filed for bankruptcy in 2010 after extensive personal injury litigation. The reorganization plan was contentious; the Garlock Sealing Technologies Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was finally established in 2017 with substantial funding. The trust pays at 22% pro rata on a $75,000 scheduled mesothelioma value.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Garlock Trust is a primary filing for Navy veterans, pipefitters, refinery workers, and industrial maintenance personnel who handled gaskets and packing during the asbestos era. Estimated payouts run in the $14,000–$19,000 range. The trust is particularly important for occupations where workers cut, scraped, or replaced gaskets routinely — tasks that generate substantial asbestos dust.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers Garlock asbestos-containing gaskets, valve packing, and compression seals manufactured during the 1940-1985 exposure window. Industrial gaskets sealed flanged pipe joints, pump housings, valve bodies, and compressor seals. Cutting and replacement of these gaskets — routine maintenance tasks for pipefitters and industrial workers — generated airborne asbestos fibers.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Gaskets
- Valve packing
- Compression seals
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Garlock Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Garlock Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1940–1985)
- 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)
Pipefitters and steamfitters have the strongest documentation paths. Navy veterans (especially Machinist's Mates, Hull Techs, and pipefitters) frequently qualify. Refinery workers, petrochemical plant operators, power plant maintenance personnel, and auto mechanics (Garlock automotive gaskets) also have established exposure paths. Industrial maintenance workers across heavy industry routinely encountered Garlock products.
How to file with the Garlock 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: $75,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 22%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $14,000–$19,000.
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 Garlock Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Garlock Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to gaskets 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 Garlock Trust
- Pittsburgh Corning Trust — 28% pro rata, est. payout $55,000–$70,000
- Eagle-Picher Trust — 32% pro rata, est. payout $20,000–$25,000
- 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
- Babcock & Wilcox Trust — 25% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$22,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Garlock 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 Navy pipefitter in the 1970s. Does Garlock apply?
Yes — Navy pipefitters have very strong documentation paths to Garlock claims. Gasket cutting and replacement was a routine task for pipefitters maintaining shipboard piping systems. Garlock products were standard issue across the Navy fleet during your service era.
What about industrial mechanics at refineries?
Refinery and petrochemical mechanics, pipefitters, and pump mechanics from the 1945-1985 era typically have eligible Garlock exposure. Refineries used substantial volumes of Garlock gaskets and packing in process piping and pumps.
Did Garlock make automotive gaskets?
Yes — Garlock manufactured a variety of automotive gaskets and seals during the asbestos era. Auto mechanics, transmission specialists, and engine rebuilders may have eligible exposure through automotive Garlock products. Most claims, however, come from industrial Garlock applications.
Why was the Garlock bankruptcy controversial?
The Garlock case was notable for accusations of "double-dipping" — plaintiffs allegedly recovering from both Garlock and other defendants for the same exposure. The 2017 trust addressed this through enhanced documentation requirements. Filings today require detailed product-specific exposure documentation.
What documentation do I need for a Garlock claim?
Garlock requires documentation specifically identifying Garlock product exposure. Acceptable evidence includes employment records showing duties involving gasket work, witness statements from coworkers who can identify Garlock products by name, product invoices or supply records, and military service records (DD-214) for shipboard exposure.
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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