Kaiser Gypsum Company Asbestos Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Kaiser Gypsum Trust
About the Kaiser Gypsum Trust
Kaiser Gypsum Company manufactured joint compound and drywall accessories from the 1950s through 1980, primarily on the West Coast where the company's production facilities were located. Kaiser Gypsum products competed with USG and Bondex in the West Coast construction market and were extensively used in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona drywall installations during the asbestos era.
Kaiser Gypsum filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016 and the Kaiser Gypsum Company Asbestos Trust was confirmed in 2017. The trust pays at 20% pro rata on a $70,000 scheduled mesothelioma value, producing estimated payouts of $12,000–$16,000 per claim — strong compensation reflecting the trust's relatively recent funding and contained claim volume.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Kaiser Gypsum Trust is a primary filing for West Coast drywall installers, tapers, painters, and plasterers. While the geographic concentration was West Coast, the trust accepts claims from anywhere if the claimant can document exposure to Kaiser Gypsum products. Multi-trust filing across Kaiser Gypsum, USG, and Bondex/RPM is standard for drywall claimants.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers Kaiser Gypsum joint compounds, drywall accessories, and patching compounds manufactured during the 1950-1980 exposure window. The product line was similar to USG and Bondex offerings — chrysotile asbestos was used as a binding and texturing agent in mixing/finishing compounds.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Joint compound
- Drywall accessories
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Kaiser Gypsum Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Kaiser Gypsum Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1945–1980)
- 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)
West Coast drywall installers have the strongest documentation paths, particularly those who worked in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona during the 1950-1980 era. Painters and plasterers from the same region also frequently qualify. Construction workers on West Coast commercial and residential projects from this period have established exposure paths.
How to file with the Kaiser Gypsum 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 20%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $12,000–$16,000.
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 Kaiser Gypsum Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Kaiser Gypsum Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to joint compound 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 Gypsum Trust
- USG Trust — 30% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$24,000
- Bondex Trust — 14% pro rata, est. payout $7,000–$9,500
- 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
- W.R. Grace Trust — 31% pro rata, est. payout $50,000–$65,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Kaiser Gypsum 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 drywall in California in the 1970s. Does Kaiser Gypsum apply?
Very likely yes. Kaiser Gypsum was a dominant joint compound supplier in the California construction market during your work era. Most California drywall installers handled Kaiser Gypsum products routinely. Documentation through union records, employer records, or witness statements typically establishes eligibility.
I was a drywall installer on the East Coast — does Kaiser Gypsum still apply?
Possibly, but less likely than for West Coast claimants. Kaiser Gypsum had limited East Coast distribution. Eastern drywall installers typically file with USG, Bondex/RPM, and other Eastern-focused trusts. If you have specific documentation of Kaiser Gypsum product use, you can still file.
Why is Kaiser Gypsum's pro rata higher than Bondex's?
Kaiser Gypsum was funded substantially in the 2017 reorganization based on contained claim volume projections. The relatively recent establishment and adequate funding support the higher 20% pro rata percentage. Bondex/RPM was funded with similar capital but faced higher historical claim volume.
How long does a Kaiser Gypsum claim take?
Typically 4–9 months from filing to payment for well-documented claims. The trust is relatively new and has been processing claims efficiently since 2017.
Can I file Kaiser Gypsum AND USG?
Absolutely yes — and you should. Most drywall installers handled both Kaiser Gypsum and USG products throughout their careers, particularly West Coast installers who may have used Kaiser Gypsum on local projects and USG on national-contractor projects. Multi-trust filing is the standard approach.
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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