Who Pays for Mesothelioma Settlements?

Quick Answer

Mesothelioma settlements are paid by: (1) asbestos product manufacturers and premise owners through lawsuits, (2) 60+ asbestos bankruptcy trusts holding $30B+, (3) the VA for veterans. NOT paid by the employer where exposure occurred (employer claims are blocked by workers comp).

Mesothelioma settlements come from three primary sources:

1. Asbestos Product Manufacturers (Lawsuits)

The companies that **manufactured, distributed, or sold** the asbestos products you were exposed to. Common defendants: Johns-Manville (now bankrupt — paid via trust), Owens-Corning (Kaylo — bankrupt, paid via trust), W.R. Grace (Monokote/Zonolite — bankrupt, paid via trust), USG (Bestwall — bankrupt, paid via trust), Garlock (gaskets — bankrupt, paid via trust), Crane Co. (packing — paid via trust), Honeywell, Borg-Warner, Caterpillar, GE, Westinghouse, Babcock & Wilcox, Combustion Engineering, Foster Wheeler, and many more.

2. Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Funds (60+ trusts, $30B+ available)

When asbestos defendants went bankrupt under the weight of asbestos liability, federal courts required them to establish trust funds to pay future claimants. There are now 60+ active trusts holding over $30 billion. Most mesothelioma claimants qualify for 8-15 trusts simultaneously.

3. Veterans Administration (VA) — for Veterans

Veterans whose mesothelioma is service-connected receive VA disability (rated 100%) plus medical care. Surviving spouses receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). VA benefits do NOT reduce eligibility for lawsuits or trust funds — veterans pursue all three tracks simultaneously.

NOT Paid By

Mesothelioma settlements are not paid by the employer where exposure occurred — workers compensation laws bar employer suits in most states. Exception: railroad workers under FELA can sue their employer-railroad directly. Exception: in some states, intentional-tort exceptions allow employer suits.