H.K. Porter Company Asbestos Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the H.K. Porter Trust
About the H.K. Porter Trust
H.K. Porter Company manufactured industrial machinery, tools, and equipment that contained or was associated with asbestos-containing components from the 1940s through the 1980s. Industrial workers handling H.K. Porter equipment encountered asbestos through gaskets, insulation, and machinery brake/clutch components. The H.K. Porter Company Asbestos Trust was established in 1998 and pays at 6% pro rata on a $30,000 scheduled mesothelioma value.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The H.K. Porter Trust is a smaller industrial trust with estimated payouts of $1,500–$2,200 per claim. Industrial workers and machinists who handled H.K. Porter equipment file alongside other machinery and industrial trusts.
Products and exposure sources covered
Industrial machinery, mining equipment, machine tools, and manufacturing equipment with associated asbestos components.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Industrial machinery
- Tools
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the H.K. Porter Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to H.K. Porter Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1945–1985)
- 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)
Industrial machinists, equipment operators, and maintenance personnel at facilities with H.K. Porter equipment. Mining industry workers are a notable claimant cohort.
How to file with the H.K. Porter 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: $30,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 6%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $1,500–$2,200.
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 H.K. Porter Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The H.K. Porter Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to industrial machinery 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 H.K. Porter Trust
- Federal-Mogul Trust — 15% pro rata, est. payout $8,000–$11,000
- Dresser Industries Trust — 15% pro rata, est. payout $7,000–$9,500
- Johns Manville Trust — 5.1% pro rata, est. payout $1,100–$4,500
- Babcock & Wilcox Trust — 25% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$22,000
- Combustion Engineering Trust — 11.5% pro rata, est. payout $6,500–$8,500
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The H.K. Porter 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 an industrial machinist — does H.K. Porter apply?
Likely yes if your facility used H.K. Porter equipment. The trust accepts claims with documentation of employer + product exposure during the 1945-1985 window.
What about mining industry workers?
Yes. H.K. Porter manufactured mining equipment used in coal, copper, and other mining operations. Miners and mining maintenance workers with documented H.K. Porter equipment exposure typically qualify.
Why is H.K. Porter's payout small?
The trust was funded for relatively narrow claim coverage. Combined with other industrial trusts in the typical industrial worker trust package, total compensation is meaningful.
Can I file H.K. Porter and Manville together?
Yes. Multi-trust filing is the standard approach. Most industrial workers exposed to H.K. Porter equipment also handled Manville insulation and other manufacturers' products.
How long does H.K. Porter take?
Typically 4-9 months from filing to payment. Smaller trusts often process claims efficiently due to lower overall claim volume.
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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