Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos PI Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Pittsburgh Corning Trust
About the Pittsburgh Corning Trust
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, a joint venture between PPG Industries and Corning Glass, manufactured the brand-name Unibestos high-temperature pipe insulation and block insulation from 1962 to 1972. Despite the relatively short manufacturing window, Unibestos became one of the most widely-used pipe insulation products in U.S. Navy ships, refineries, and high-temperature industrial facilities of the era. The product's asbestos content (amosite, the second-most carcinogenic asbestos type) was particularly hazardous.
Pittsburgh Corning filed for bankruptcy in 2000 due to overwhelming personal injury claims. The reorganization was complex; the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was finally established in 2016 with $3.5 billion in funding. The trust pays at 28% pro rata on a $215,000 scheduled mesothelioma value — among the highest combined values in the asbestos trust system.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Pittsburgh Corning Trust is among the highest-paying asbestos trusts. Combined with its $215K scheduled value, the 28% pro rata produces estimated payouts in the $55,000–$70,000 range — comparable to the Owens Corning/Fibreboard trust and Manville (when adjusted for pro rata). The trust is particularly important for Navy veterans and shipyard workers, since Unibestos was extensively used aboard Navy vessels during its 1962-1972 production window.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers Unibestos high-temperature pipe insulation and block insulation. Despite the short production window, Unibestos was installed on virtually every Navy ship built or overhauled between 1962 and 1972, plus extensive civilian use in refineries, power plants, and high-temperature industrial facilities. The amosite asbestos in Unibestos is particularly hazardous and has produced disproportionately high mesothelioma rates among exposed workers.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Unibestos pipe insulation
- Block insulation
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Pittsburgh Corning Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Pittsburgh Corning Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1962–1972)
- 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 who served between 1962 and 1980 (when Unibestos was actively in service even after production ended) have strong documentation paths. Civilian shipyard workers at major Naval Shipyards during the same period are heavily represented in Pittsburgh Corning claims. Industrial insulators, refinery workers, and power plant maintenance workers also have established exposure paths.
How to file with the Pittsburgh Corning 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: $215,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 28%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $55,000–$70,000.
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 Pittsburgh Corning Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Pittsburgh Corning Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to Unibestos 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 Pittsburgh Corning Trust
- 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
- Garlock Trust — 22% pro rata, est. payout $14,000–$19,000
- Babcock & Wilcox Trust — 25% pro rata, est. payout $18,000–$22,000
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Pittsburgh Corning 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
What is Unibestos?
Unibestos was a brand-name high-temperature pipe insulation and block insulation manufactured by Pittsburgh Corning from 1962 to 1972. It contained amosite asbestos (a particularly hazardous variety) and was used extensively on Navy ships, in refineries, and in industrial facilities. Despite the short production window, Unibestos became one of the most-encountered asbestos products of the late 20th century in industrial contexts.
I served on a Navy ship in the 1970s. Does Pittsburgh Corning apply?
Very likely yes. Even after Unibestos production ended in 1972, the product remained installed aboard Navy ships for decades and continued to expose sailors during routine maintenance, repairs, and overhauls. Navy service through approximately 1985 frequently establishes eligible Unibestos exposure.
Why is the Pittsburgh Corning scheduled value so high?
Several factors: amosite (the asbestos type in Unibestos) is more carcinogenic than chrysotile, producing higher mesothelioma rates per unit exposure; the trust was funded substantially in 2016 to compensate for the high disease rates; and the per-claimant compensation was set high to reflect both severity and the trust's funding capacity.
What's the difference between Pittsburgh Corning and Owens Corning?
Pittsburgh Corning was a joint venture between PPG and Corning Glass. Owens Corning was a separate company (a joint venture between Owens-Illinois and Corning, predating the PPG joint venture). Each manufactured competing pipe insulation products (Unibestos vs. Kaylo). Most claimants exposed to one had exposure to the other, so multi-trust filing is standard.
Can refinery workers file Pittsburgh Corning claims?
Yes. Unibestos was extensively used in refinery process units (cat crackers, distillation columns, heat exchangers) where high-temperature insulation was required. Refinery operators, mechanics, pipefitters, and insulators from the 1962-1985 period typically 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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