GAF Asbestos Trust Funds and Mesothelioma Claims
GAF Corporation, a major producer of roofing and construction materials, faced numerous lawsuits related to asbestos exposure. As a result, GAF established an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma claims against the GAF Asbestos Trust Funds involve individuals who were exposed to asbestos-containing products manufactured or sold by GAF.
These trust funds provide financial compensation to individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases resulting from exposure to GAF’s asbestos-containing products. To file a claim, individuals must provide evidence of their diagnosis and documentation demonstrating exposure to GAF asbestos products. This evidence typically includes employment history, medical records, witness statements, and product identification.
Working with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is crucial when pursuing claims against GAF Asbestos Trust Funds. A knowledgeable attorney can help navigate the complex legal process, gather necessary evidence, and ensure that claims are accurately filed and processed. Additionally, mesothelioma lawyers can advocate for victims’ rights and work to maximize compensation from the trust funds.
By seeking compensation through GAF Asbestos Trust Funds, mesothelioma patients and their families can receive financial support to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from asbestos exposure. These trust funds play a critical role in providing assistance to individuals affected by GAF’s asbestos products and holding the company accountable for its actions.
GAF Asbestos Trust Fund
Founded: 1886
Head Quarters: Wayne, New Jersey
Turn out: Roofing and construction materials
Operating status: Still Currently Operating
Asbestos Trust: Yes
Trust began: 2009
Trust Amount: $770 million
Asbestos Trust Fund
After filing for bankruptcy in 2001, G-I Holdings, the parent company of GAF Corporation, created a trust to handle the current and future asbestos claims. The trust was officially formed in 2009 and began accepting claims in 2010. Every case is evaluated on various factors, including age, exposure, and illness. Currently, the payment percentage for successful claims is 7.4%.
Asbestos Litigation
GAF began seeing asbestos-related lawsuits at the end of the 1980s, and by 2005 the company and G-I Holdings had paid over $750 million to asbestos victims. It was expected that the company would face over 100,000 asbestos lawsuits to handle the accumulating claims G-I Holdings, GAF’s parent company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001.
Occupational Exposure
Since products containing asbestos were highly prevalent in GAF, many individuals, including workers and the general public, were put at risk. Since the company expanded quite quickly, there were multiple locations where individuals may have come into contact with asbestos materials. Some workers were exposed on a routine schedule, and due to effects have asbestos-related health complications. Various occupations that may have been affected include: carpenters, chemical plant workers, construction workers, electricians, flooring workers, GAF asbestos miners, GAF manufacturing plant workers, HVAC workers, insulators, metal workers, oil refinery workers, painters, plumbers, power plant workers, roofers, Ruberoid manufacturing plant workers, siding contractors, Veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
History of Asbestos Use
Initially known as American I.G., G-I Holdings started as an American Branch of the German company I.G. Dyes, a chemical conglomerate. After the company acquired General Aniline Works and merged with Agfa-Ansco Corporation, they decided to change the name to General Aniline and Film in 1939.
The company was growing consistently but paused in 1942 when the United States of America seized the company during World War II due to its affiliation with Germany. The company was run for twenty-three years by federal-government-appointed directors. In 1965 the company was released and they decided to expand and go public. They acquired Ruberoid Corporation, a roofing supply manufacturer, and three years later permanently switched their name to GAF.
When the company acquired Ruberoid Corporation they also joined the world of asbestos. Ruberoid had an asbestos mine in Lowell, Vermont and had a product line containing asbestos in products such as insulation and roofing shingles. Although asbestos became known as dangerous in the early 1930s, the Ruberoid asbestos mines stayed open until 1975, and that same year miners raised enough money to purchase the mines from GAF. GAF products containing asbestos were produced through 1981.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that contain fibers that stop heat, and companies are allowed to use the product as long as it doesn’t account for more than 1% of the product. GAF products were using asbestos in their products above the legal limit. Employees working for them were exposed to environments full of airborne asbestos fibers. When exposed to large amounts of the materials, it can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and cancers with serious long-term effects.
GAF Corporation saw the bulk of its success in the mid-1980s when there was a demand for its products. Over time their asbestos history caught up to them, and they began accumulating thousands of asbestos-related illness lawsuits. Eventually, they were forced to file for bankruptcy due to financial costs.
GAF Asbestos Products
- GAF Air-Vent Asbestos Felt
- GAF Asbestos Base Felt Roofing
- GAF Asbestos Combination Flashing
- GAF Asbestos Rollboard
- GAF Asphalt Tile
- GAF Boiler Jackets
- GAF Brick-Strip paper
- GAF Bright Future Luxor Vinyl Floors
- GAF Calsitlite Insulating Cement
- GAF Cement Roofing Shingles
- GAF Color-Tex Cement Sheets
- GAF Contico Asbestos Floor Tile
- GAF Coverkote
- GAF Fashioncraft VinylFlex Floor Tile
- GAF Flat and Corrugated Asbestos Paper
- GAF Frost-Proof Pipe Covering
- GAF Grade Hard Finish Cement
- GAF Hearth-Glow Brick
- GAF Hi Pipe Covering
- GAF Hooker Grade Fiber
- GAF Imperial Insulation
- GAF Imperial Sheet Vinyl Flooring
- GAF Insulating Cement
- GAF Luran Airtred Vinyl Floors
- GAF Luran Airtred Sheet Vinyl Flooring
- GAF Luran Imperial Sheet Vinyl Flooring
- GAF Luran Regency Sheet Vinyl Flooring
- GAF Pipe Covering Insulation
- GAF Range Boiler Jacket
- GAF Roofing Felt
- GAF Roofing Paint Products
- GAF Satin Finish Cement
- GAF Sheet A-1 Vinyl Floors
- GAF Sponge Felt
- GAF Stoneglow Vinyl Asbestos Tile
- GAF Sure-Stik Adhesive-Backed Vinyl Asbestos Tile
- GAF T/NA Insulation Jacket
- GAF T/NA 100 Asbestos Paper
- GAF T/NA 100 Plastic Film
- GAF T/NA 200 Asbestos Paper
- GAF T/NA 200 Plastic Film
- GAF Timbertex Shingles
- GAF Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile
- GAF VinylFlex Floor Tile
- GAF Watocel
- GAF 313 Mineral Wool Insulation Cement
- GAF 412 Single-Coat Insulation Cement
- GAF Ruberoid Air Cell
- GAf Ruberoid American Thatch Roofing Shingles
- GAF Ruberoid American Thatch Shingles
- GAF Ruberoid Anti-Sweat Pipe Covering
- GAF Ruberoid Aristo Insulating Siding
- GAF Ruberoid Asbestos Millboard
- GAF Ruberoid Asbestos Rollboard
- GAF Ruberoid Calsilite Block Insulation
- GAF Ruberoid Calsilite Covering Insulation
- GAF Ruberoid Calsilite-Hi Pipe Block Insulation
- GAF Ruberoid Calsilite-Hi Pipe Covering Insulation
- GAF Ruberoud Calsilite Insulating Cement
- GAF Ruberoid Calsilite Pipe Covering
- GAF Ruberoid Corrugated Asbestos Cement Sheets
- GAF Ruberoid Deluxe Stonewall Board
- GAF Ruberoid Dura-Color Colonial Siding
- GAF Ruberoid Eternit Cement Sheets
- GAF Ruberoid Eternit Pressure Pipe
- GAF Ruberoid Grain-Tex Asbestos Cement Siding
- GAF Ruberoid Matico Asbestos Floor Tile
- GAF Ruberoid Roofing Asphalt
- GAF Ruberoid Stonewall Board
- GAF Ruberoid Utility Corrugated Asbestos Sheets
- GAF Ruberoid Vermont Asbestos Fibers
- GAF Ruberoid Vermont Asbestos Insulating Cement
- GAF Ruberoid Vermont Asbestos Grade 115 Raw Asbestos Fiber
- GAF Ruberoid WatcoCell Sheets & Block
- GAF Ruberoid SuperCell Pipe Covering
- GAF Ruberoid SuperCell Sheets
- GAF Ruberoid SuperCell Block
- GAF Ruberoid Weather Coat Emulsion
- GAF Woolfelt Pipe Covering Insulation
- GAF Ruberoid 115 Insulating Cement
- GAF Ruberoid 203 Insulating Cement
- GAF Ruberoid 214 Insulating Cement
Call Now – Our Nationwide Toll-Free Mesothelioma Helpline Number is 888.640.0914
How Do Mesothelioma Trust Funds Work?
Asbestos exposure victims diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can submit their claims to asbestos settlement trusts belonging to the bankrupt asbestos companies responsible for their illness. Surviving relatives of mesothelioma that have died from asbestos exposure are also eligible to submit claims to responsible asbestos trust funds.
After submitting a claim, asbestos trust funds decide whether to pay a claim. The decision to pay a claim is made separate from the company that created the trust fund.
Quick Facts About Asbestos Trust Funds
- There are more than 65+ Asbestos Trust Funds set up by U. S. Courts.
- Asbestos bankruptcy reorganization can be a lengthy process that can span several years.
- Asbestos Trusts publish additional information about their Trust guidelines, qualifications and rules.
- Representatives of current and future Mesothelioma claimants must consent to any significant changes to these trusts.
- Since 1988, Asbestos trusts have paid out about $17.5 billion representing more than 3 million claims.
- Since 2011, Asbestos Trust Funds have combined assets of $36.8 billion.
- Since 2010, the average percentage paid per asbestos victim is 25 percent of a claim.
- Asbestos Trust Funds set Statutes of Limitations that only allow a certain amount of time to file an Asbestos claim.
- Mesothelioma Claimants can sometimes file both Asbestos Trust lawsuits and Asbestos claims.
- U. S. Courts must approve the amount that is set aside before the Asbestos company will be granted bankruptcy protection.
Evidence Required to File an Asbestos Trust Fund Claim
Diagnosis: Medical Documentation, including biopsy information, and pathology report, showing claimant is diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease.
Physician Statement: The victim must also provide medical documentation to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis, signed off by a doctor or mesothelioma specialist.
Exposure Evidence: Witness affidavits, employment records, company invoices linking a company product or facility to asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
- Malignant Mesothelioma is commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 75 years old.
- There are 3000-3,500 malignant Mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year in the United States.
- 1 in 3 U. S. military veterans will develop an asbestos related disease in their lifetime.
Mesothelioma Claims: Mesothelioma Damages
Mesothelioma claims involve seeking compensation for the damages caused by mesothelioma, a type of cancer often linked to asbestos exposure. These damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages. Seeking compensation through legal action can help mesothelioma patients and their families alleviate financial burdens and hold responsible parties accountable for the harm caused by asbestos exposure.
Disfigurement Damages (past and future): Asbestos trust funds provide compensation for disfigurement resulting from mesothelioma, covering visible physical changes like scarring or disfigurement from surgeries or treatments, both historically and anticipated in the future.
Economic Damages (past and future): These damages from asbestos trust funds address the financial losses incurred due to mesothelioma, including medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity, both historically and projected into the future.
End of Life Cost Damages: Asbestos trust funds cover the expenses associated with end-of-life care, including medical care, hospice services, and other end-of-life needs for individuals suffering from mesothelioma.
Exemplary Damages: Asbestos trust funds may provide exemplary damages, also known as punitive damages, to punish the asbestos companies for their misconduct and deter future negligence in handling asbestos-related cases.
Funeral Expense Damages: Funeral expense damages from asbestos trust funds cover the costs of funeral and burial services for individuals who have died from mesothelioma, easing the financial burden on their families.
Future Economic Damages: These damages provided by asbestos trust funds account for anticipated financial losses such as ongoing medical treatment, loss of future earnings, and other related expenses for individuals affected by mesothelioma.
General Damages: Asbestos trust funds compensate for general damages, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-monetary impacts of mesothelioma on affected individuals and their families.
Gross Negligence Damages: In cases of gross negligence, asbestos trust funds may provide additional compensation to punish the responsible parties for their particularly reckless conduct in exposing individuals to asbestos.
Loss of Companionship: Asbestos trust funds provide compensation for the loss of emotional support, love, and companionship suffered by family members due to the mesothelioma-related death of a loved one.
Loss of Consortium Damages: These damages from asbestos trust funds address the negative impact of mesothelioma on the relationships of affected individuals with their spouses or partners, compensating for the loss of companionship and support.
Loss of Earning Capacity Damages: Asbestos trust funds cover the reduction in an individual’s ability to earn income in the future due to mesothelioma, considering factors such as disability and shortened life expectancy.
Loss of Life Damages: Asbestos trust funds provide compensation for the premature loss of life resulting from mesothelioma, acknowledging the value of the deceased individual’s life and the impact of their death on their family.
Loss of Wages Damages (past and future): These damages from asbestos trust funds cover the income lost by individuals due to mesothelioma, both historically and projected into the future, ensuring that financial losses are fully accounted for.
Medical Expense Damages: Asbestos trust funds reimburse individuals for the costs of medical treatment related to mesothelioma, including surgeries, chemotherapy, medications, and other necessary medical care.
Mental Anguish Damages: Asbestos trust funds compensate individuals for the emotional pain, suffering, and psychological trauma caused by mesothelioma, including anxiety, depression, and distress resulting from the illness.
Monetary Compensation Damages: Asbestos trust funds provide financial restitution to individuals and families affected by mesothelioma, encompassing both economic and non-economic damages awarded in a lawsuit.
Nominal Damages: Nominal damages from asbestos trust funds are symbolic awards granted when the injury is minor or no actual financial loss has been incurred, serving as a recognition of legal rights rather than substantial compensation.
Non-Economic Damages: Asbestos trust funds compensate for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship, providing financial relief for these intangible impacts.
Pain and Suffering Damages: Asbestos trust funds compensate individuals for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by mesothelioma, including symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Damages: Asbestos trust funds cover both pecuniary losses such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-pecuniary losses like pain and suffering, providing comprehensive compensation for mesothelioma victims.
Physical Impairment Damages (past and future): These damages from asbestos trust funds address the physical limitations and disabilities resulting from mesothelioma, both historically and anticipated in the future, ensuring full compensation for the impact on quality of life.
Punitive Damages: Asbestos trust funds may provide punitive damages to punish the responsible parties for their misconduct in exposing individuals to asbestos and deter similar behavior in the future.
Treble Damages: In cases of egregious conduct, asbestos trust funds may award treble damages, allowing for the recovery of three times the amount of actual damages to further punish the responsible parties.
Workers Compensation Damages: Asbestos trust funds provide financial benefits to individuals who suffer from mesothelioma due to exposure in the workplace, covering medical expenses, lost wages, disability benefits, and vocational rehabilitation services.
Wrongful Death Claims: Asbestos trust funds compensate the surviving family members of individuals who have died from mesothelioma, covering financial losses such as funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of consortium.
There Are 4 Primary Types of Mesothelioma Claims:
Product Liability: Can be filed against companies that manufactured and distributed asbestos products.
Medical Malpractice: Can be filed against doctors or hospitals if they misdiagnose or delay your diagnosis of Mesothelioma.
Workers Compensation: Can be filed against an employer if you were exposed to asbestos while on the job.
Wrongful Death: Can be filed against asbestos manufacturers, asbestos distributors, or an employer of a product containing asbestos that directly caused a person’s death if their actions constituted gross negligence for a deceased worker s safety.
TO GET HELP – Our Nationwide Toll-Free Mesothelioma Helpline Number is 888.640.0914
Settlement Averages for Mesothelioma Lawsuits
The average verdict in a mesothelioma lawsuit is about $2.4 million, and the average settlement is between $1 million and $1.4 million according to Mealey’s Litigation Report.
Diagnosed With Mesothelioma?
If you or a family member has received a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, you probably have numerous questions about managing the illness and pursuing legal recourse against asbestos manufacturers and companies accountable for your asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is an extremely lethal disease, with an average survival time of 4-18 months, as per the American Cancer Society. Reach out to our toll-free number now to connect with a live mesothelioma counselor who can address many of your inquiries and offer you the reassurance you seek.
Family Member Died from Mesothelioma?
If you have a family member who has died from Mesothelioma cancer, you should immediately consult with an experienced Mesothelioma diagnosis lawyer about what compensation may be available to you from asbestos trust funds that total more than $30 billion.
We have seen many families lose their right to file a lawsuit because their Statute of Limitations had expired while they were grieving. We know it is a tough time to grieve the loss of a loved one, but please do not let your Statute of Limitations expire for filing your Mesothelioma lawsuit. In most states, the Statute of Limitations is 1-3 years.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you file your Mesothelioma claim within your state’s Statute of Limitations.
Taking Legal Action
When confronted with the devastating impact of a mesothelioma diagnosis resulting from asbestos exposure, pursuing legal action becomes a crucial step towards securing the compensation you rightly deserve. Our team is here to assist you in initiating a mesothelioma lawsuit with an experienced mesothelioma attorney, ensuring the protection of your rights and the delivery of justice. Discover today which Asbestos Trust Funds you may be eligible for to receive compensation.
Schedule a FREE Case Consultation
Scheduling a free case consultation is your first step toward seeking justice in mesothelioma cancer lawsuits. We are ready to assess your unique situation and provide the guidance you will need during this challenging time. Take this essential step toward pursuing fair compensation for your mesothelioma-related injuries.
Get Help from an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
When dealing with the complexities of mesothelioma cancer lawsuits, getting help from an experienced injury attorney is crucial. For more than 24 years, we have assisted workers, veterans, and families in obtaining the compensation they deserved from negligent asbestos companies. Contact us at 888.640.0914 to secure the support you will need throughout your pursuit of fair and just compensation.
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GAF Asbestos Trust Funds and Mesothelioma Claims