Owens-Illinois (Kaylo Pipe Insulation Settlements)
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Owens-Illinois (Kaylo)
About the Owens-Illinois (Kaylo)
Owens-Illinois manufactured the brand-name Kaylo high-temperature pipe insulation from 1948 through 1958, before transferring the Kaylo product line to its joint venture with Corning Glass (which became Owens Corning). The original Owens-Illinois Kaylo product was used aboard nearly every Navy ship built during the post-WWII naval expansion and in commercial steam systems nationwide. Owens-Illinois did not file a traditional Chapter 11 bankruptcy for asbestos liability; instead, the company has resolved Kaylo claims through structured settlement programs and the Owens-Illinois Kaylo Settlement Pool.
The settlement pool pays at 23% pro rata on an $80,000 scheduled mesothelioma value, producing estimated payouts of $16,000–$21,000 per claim. The trust is particularly important for Navy veterans and shipyard workers from the 1948-1958 era, when Owens-Illinois was the sole manufacturer of Kaylo before the Owens Corning joint venture took over.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Owens-Illinois claim path is unique because the product was manufactured by two different companies in succession. Workers exposed before 1958 file with Owens-Illinois; workers exposed 1958-1972 file with Owens Corning/Fibreboard. Many claimants who served extensively during the 1948-1972 era qualify for both. The two trusts together represent the most important Navy/shipyard insulation claim paths of the entire asbestos trust system.
Products and exposure sources covered
The settlement pool covers Owens-Illinois Kaylo high-temperature pipe insulation manufactured from 1948-1958, plus block insulation and related high-temperature materials of the same era. Kaylo was sold as a calcium silicate product containing chrysotile asbestos for high-temperature applications (steam pipes, boiler insulation, industrial process equipment).
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Kaylo pipe insulation
- High-temperature insulation
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Owens-Illinois (Kaylo), you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Owens-Illinois (Kaylo) products during the trust's covered exposure window (1948–1958)
- 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)
Navy veterans serving from 1948-1965 (when 1958-era Kaylo was still being installed and disturbed during maintenance) have the strongest documentation paths. Civilian shipyard workers from the same era are similarly well-positioned. Industrial steam-system workers — power plant operators, refinery workers, factory maintenance personnel — also have established exposure paths.
How to file with the Owens-Illinois (Kaylo)
- 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: $80,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 23%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $16,000–$21,000.
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 Owens-Illinois (Kaylo) commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Owens-Illinois (Kaylo) is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to Kaylo pipe insulation 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 Owens-Illinois (Kaylo)
- 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
- Eagle-Picher Trust — 32% pro rata, est. payout $20,000–$25,000
- Babcock & Wilcox Trust — 25% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$22,000
- Garlock Trust — 22% pro rata, est. payout $14,000–$19,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Owens-Illinois (Kaylo) 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
What's the difference between Owens-Illinois Kaylo and Owens Corning Kaylo?
Same product name, two different manufacturers in succession. Owens-Illinois made Kaylo from 1948-1958. The Owens Corning joint venture (later renamed) made Kaylo from 1958-1972. Both manufacturers used essentially the same formulation. Workers exposed during the 1948-1958 window file with Owens-Illinois; later exposure files with Owens Corning/Fibreboard.
My father served in the Navy from 1955 to 1972 — which trust applies?
Both. The 1955-1958 exposure period falls within Owens-Illinois's direct manufacturing era; 1958-1972 falls within Owens Corning's. Multi-trust filing across both is standard for Navy veterans of this era. Add Pittsburgh Corning (Unibestos, 1962-1972) and Babcock & Wilcox (boiler exposure) for a typical four-trust Navy claim package.
Why is Owens-Illinois's pro rata lower than Owens Corning's?
The Owens-Illinois claims were resolved through a settlement-pool structure rather than a § 524(g) bankruptcy trust, with different funding mechanics. Owens Corning/Fibreboard was funded via a 2006 bankruptcy reorganization with substantially more capital relative to expected claim volume.
I worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1955-1962. Does this trust apply?
Almost certainly yes. Owens-Illinois Kaylo was the standard pipe insulation specified for Navy ships built and overhauled at Norfolk during that period. Civilian shipyard worker employment records typically establish sufficient exposure documentation.
Are the pre-1958 Kaylo claims separate from later Kaylo claims?
Yes — file with Owens-Illinois for pre-1958 exposure and with Owens Corning/Fibreboard for 1958-1972 exposure. They are administratively separate trusts/pools, though the underlying product was similar. Documentation requirements are generally similar for both.
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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