W.R. Grace Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust
Eligibility, payouts, and how to file. Last reviewed: 2026-05-03.
See if you qualify for the W.R. Grace Trust
About the W.R. Grace Trust
W.R. Grace & Company's asbestos liability stems primarily from its acquisition of the Zonolite vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana in 1963. The Libby vermiculite deposit was contaminated with tremolite asbestos — one of the most carcinogenic asbestos types — and was mined and processed for use in Zonolite Attic Insulation, fireproofing sprays (Monokote brand), and various building materials through 1990. An estimated 35 million U.S. homes contain Zonolite insulation, and Libby itself became one of the largest environmental health disasters in American history.
W.R. Grace filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001. The reorganization was protracted; the W.R. Grace Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was finally established in 2014 with substantial funding and now pays at a strong 31% pro rata on a $180,000 scheduled mesothelioma value.
Bankruptcy and trust establishment
The W.R. Grace Trust is one of the highest-paying asbestos trusts in operation. Combined with its $180K scheduled value, the 31% pro rata produces estimated payouts in the $50,000–$65,000 range — among the largest single-trust recoveries in the asbestos system. The trust covers a uniquely broad set of claimants because Zonolite was a consumer product installed in millions of homes, in addition to industrial applications.
Products and exposure sources covered
Zonolite Attic Insulation is the most frequently cited W.R. Grace product. It was sold as a loose-fill granular insulation, often poured directly into attic spaces by homeowners. Monokote spray-on fireproofing was used in commercial construction (steel-frame buildings, hospitals, schools). Other Grace products included refractory brick, gypsum products containing Libby vermiculite, and various industrial chemicals.
Specific asbestos-containing products manufactured or distributed by this company:
- Zonolite attic insulation
- Monokote fireproofing
- Vermiculite products
Eligibility criteria
To file a claim with the W.R. Grace Trust, you generally need to demonstrate:
- Qualifying diagnosis: Mesothelioma, Lung cancer, Asbestosis
- Documented exposure to W.R. Grace Trust products during the trust's covered exposure window (1945–1990)
- 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)
Construction trades who handled Zonolite or Monokote during installation, demolition, or remodeling have direct exposure paths. Contractors working in attics with existing Zonolite (insulation installers, electricians, HVAC techs, roofers) all have established claim paths. Homeowners who personally installed or removed Zonolite may also qualify, though documentation is harder. Libby, MT residents and former mine workers have unique direct-exposure claim eligibility.
How to file with the W.R. Grace 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: $180,000. The trust's current pro rata payment percentage is 31%, meaning the actual payout typically falls in the range of $50,000–$65,000.
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 W.R. Grace Trust commonly accepts claims from workers in these occupations:
Multi-trust filing strategy
The W.R. Grace Trust is rarely the only trust a mesothelioma claimant qualifies for. Most workers exposed to Zonolite attic 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 W.R. Grace 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
- Celotex Trust — 5.5% pro rata, est. payout $3,000–$5,000
- UNR Trust — 4% pro rata, est. payout $800–$1,200
- Western MacArthur Trust — 18% pro rata, est. payout $9,500–$12,500
Deadlines and statute of limitations
The W.R. Grace 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 have Zonolite in my attic. Am I at risk?
Zonolite that's undisturbed in an attic generally poses minimal exposure risk. The danger arises when it's disturbed — during renovation, electrical work, HVAC installation, or removal. If you've had work done in your attic that disturbed Zonolite, document the work and consider yourself potentially exposed. EPA does not recommend removal of undisturbed Zonolite for risk reasons; consult a licensed asbestos abatement professional if removal is needed.
I worked at the Libby mine. Is this trust for me?
Yes — Libby mine and processing facility workers have the strongest direct-exposure claims and historically have received among the highest individual payouts. Libby community members exposed to airborne mine tailings also qualify under specific provisions.
How is the W.R. Grace pro rata so high (31%)?
The trust was funded substantially in the 2014 reorganization with enough capital to pay claims at a high percentage. Combined with the high scheduled value ($180K for meso), W.R. Grace consistently produces among the largest individual trust payouts.
Did Monokote contain asbestos?
Monokote-3 fireproofing spray contained Libby vermiculite (with tremolite asbestos contamination) during certain manufacturing periods. The product was used in commercial construction nationwide. Construction trades who applied or worked near Monokote have eligible claims.
My father installed Zonolite at customer homes — can I file as his survivor?
Yes. Wrongful death claims for installers who handled Zonolite professionally are accepted with appropriate documentation (employment records, customer testimonials, medical diagnosis of the deceased).
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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