Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Asbestos Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Kaiser Aluminum Trust
About the Kaiser Aluminum Trust
Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation operated aluminum smelting facilities and related chemical operations across the western United States from the 1940s through the 1980s. Aluminum smelters required extensive high-temperature equipment lined with asbestos refractory materials and surrounded by asbestos pipe insulation. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002 and the Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Asbestos Trust was confirmed in 2006. The trust pays at 10% pro rata on a $40,000 scheduled mesothelioma value.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Kaiser Aluminum Trust is the primary filing for aluminum industry workers. Estimated payouts of $3,500–$4,500 per claim. The trust also covers Kaiser Chemical operations and related industrial subsidiaries.
Products and exposure sources covered
Aluminum smelting equipment, chemical processing equipment, refractory installations, and associated asbestos materials at Kaiser facilities.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Aluminum smelting equipment
- Industrial chemicals
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Kaiser Aluminum Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Kaiser Aluminum 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)
Aluminum smelter workers, pot room operators, casthouse workers, refractory bricklayers, and industrial maintenance personnel at Kaiser Aluminum facilities. Geographic concentration in the Pacific Northwest, Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia.
How to file with the Kaiser Aluminum 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: $40,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 10%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $3,500–$4,500.
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 Kaiser Aluminum Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Kaiser Aluminum Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to aluminum smelting equipment 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 Kaiser Aluminum Trust
- Federal-Mogul Trust — 15% pro rata, est. payout $8,000–$11,000
- Harbison-Walker Trust — 20% pro rata, est. payout $13,000–$17,000
- A.P. Green Trust — 13% pro rata, est. payout $5,000–$7,500
- ABB Lummus Trust — 11% pro rata, est. payout $4,500–$6,500
- T H Agriculture Trust — 5% pro rata, est. payout $1,200–$2,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Kaiser Aluminum 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 worked at a Kaiser Aluminum smelter — what trusts apply?
Kaiser Aluminum is the primary trust. Add refractory trusts (Harbison-Walker, A.P. Green, Quigley) for refractory exposure, plus pipe insulation manufacturers (Owens Corning, Eagle-Picher, Manville) for surrounding equipment.
What were the major Kaiser Aluminum facilities?
Mead, Tacoma, and Spokane (WA), Chalmette (LA), Gramercy (LA), Trentwood (WA), and others. Each facility had its own employment records that establish exposure.
Did pot room workers have heavy exposure?
Yes. Aluminum pot rooms operated at extreme temperatures requiring substantial refractory linings. Pot room workers had ongoing exposure to refractory dust during routine operations and especially during pot relining work.
How do I document Kaiser Aluminum employment?
Employment records through the company (where retained) or through union records (United Steelworkers represented many Kaiser Aluminum workers). Pension records establish years worked.
Were Kaiser Chemical workers covered?
Yes. Kaiser Chemical operations are part of the same trust coverage. Chemical plant operators, process workers, and maintenance personnel at Kaiser Chemical facilities have eligible exposure paths.
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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