Plant Insulation Asbestos Settlement Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the Plant Insulation Trust
About the Plant Insulation Trust
Plant Insulation Company was a major asbestos insulation contractor — meaning the company purchased asbestos products from manufacturers like Manville, Owens-Illinois, and Pittsburgh Corning, then installed them at customer job sites. As an installer rather than a manufacturer, Plant Insulation's asbestos liability stemmed from the workers it directly employed (and exposed) plus claims from secondary parties at sites where Plant Insulation crews worked.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009 and the Plant Insulation Asbestos Settlement Trust was confirmed in 2014. The trust pays at 21% pro rata on a $70,000 scheduled mesothelioma value, producing estimated payouts of $12,000–$16,000 per claim.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The Plant Insulation Trust covers a unique claimant population: workers who handled asbestos products that Plant Insulation installed, regardless of which manufacturer originally produced them. Insulation contractor trusts — Plant Insulation, Western MacArthur, J.T. Thorpe, Thorpe Insulation, Porter-Hayden, Shook & Fletcher — are an important secondary layer of trust coverage that complements the primary manufacturer trusts.
Products and exposure sources covered
The trust covers asbestos insulation installed by Plant Insulation crews — pipe insulation, block insulation, fireproofing, and various high-temperature materials. Geographic coverage was concentrated in the western United States. The trust accepts claims from former Plant Insulation employees plus workers at job sites where Plant Insulation operated.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Installed insulation
- Industrial insulation contracting
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the Plant Insulation Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to Plant Insulation Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1950–1985)
- 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)
Former Plant Insulation employees have direct exposure paths. Workers at facilities where Plant Insulation installed asbestos products (refineries, power plants, industrial facilities) qualify if they can document presence at those sites during installation activity. Multi-trust filing across Plant Insulation and the underlying manufacturer trusts (Manville, Owens-Illinois, Pittsburgh Corning) is standard.
How to file with the Plant Insulation 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 21%, 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 Plant Insulation Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The Plant Insulation Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to installed 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 Plant Insulation 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
- W.R. Grace Trust — 31% pro rata, est. payout $50,000–$65,000
- Celotex Trust — 5.5% pro rata, est. payout $3,000–$5,000
- UNR Trust — 4% pro rata, est. payout $800–$1,200
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The Plant Insulation 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
How is Plant Insulation different from manufacturer trusts?
Plant Insulation was an installation contractor, not a product manufacturer. The company purchased asbestos products from manufacturers like Manville and installed them at customer sites. The trust covers liability arising from this installation work — exposure to crews and to others present at job sites.
I worked at a Bay Area refinery in the 1970s. Could Plant Insulation apply?
Possibly yes if Plant Insulation crews installed insulation at that refinery during your employment. Plant Insulation operated primarily in the western United States and worked at many California, Oregon, and Washington industrial facilities. Documentation through facility records or witness statements can establish eligibility.
Should I file with Plant Insulation if I already filed with manufacturer trusts?
Yes if Plant Insulation crews installed the products you were exposed to. Insulation contractor trusts are a secondary layer of coverage that complements manufacturer trusts. The exposure source might have been a Plant Insulation crew installing Manville pipe insulation — both trusts apply for the same exposure event.
I was a former Plant Insulation employee. What do I file?
Former Plant Insulation employees have direct documentation paths through employment records. The trust accepts these claims with relatively streamlined documentation. You should also file with all the manufacturer trusts whose products Plant Insulation installed (Manville, Owens-Illinois, Pittsburgh Corning, Eagle-Picher are common ones).
How does multi-contractor filing work for industrial workers?
Industrial workers at refineries, power plants, and chemical facilities often had crews from multiple installation contractors working at their facility over years. A worker exposed during 1970-1985 might have eligible claims against Plant Insulation, J.T. Thorpe, Thorpe Insulation, and other contractor trusts depending on which crews installed which products at that specific facility.
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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