Coping With Mesothelioma: Non-Medical Help

Your Legal Rights

Q. How can I get compensation from bankrupt asbestos companies?

While some asbestos companies have sought to use the bankruptcy system to help meet their obligations to mesothelioma sufferers there have also been corporations who have used the bankruptcy system to try and avoid their responsibility.

Corporations have also made irregular transfers of assets before filing for bankruptcy to reduce their stated capacity to pay compensation. This tactic has meant the process of receiving compensation has taken many years longer - years that mesothelioma victims do not have.

Where the bankruptcy process has worked as would be generally hoped for trusts have been established to meet compensation claims of those affected by asbestos. Where trusts do exist a claimant will have to show evidence that they have a valid claim - this is a process many people use an attorney for (especially useful if making claims against multiple trusts).

The asbestos companies below have filed for bankruptcy orders with some now paying claims from trusts established as part of the bankruptcy:
- A.P. Green
- Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
- Babcock & Wilcox Co.
- Celotex Corporation
- Eagle-Picher
- Federal-Mogul Global, Inc.
- Forty-Eight Insulations
- G-I Holdings, Inc.
- Gatke Corporation
- H. K. Porter Industries
- Harbison Walker
- Johns-Manville
- Keene Corporation
- Kentile Floors, Inc.
- M.H. Detrick
- Montgomery Ward, LLC
- National Gypsum Company
- Nicolet
- North American Refractories Company
- Owens Corning
- Philip-Carey Corporation
- Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
- Raybestos Manhattan
- Raymark Industries
- Raytech Industries
- Rock Wool Manufacturing
- Rockwool
- Rutland Fire Clay Co.
- Standard Insulations
- U.S. Mineral Products Company
- USG Corporation
- W.R. Grace & Co.
- Washington Group International
It should be remembered that though many corporation have sought to manage or limit their financial obligations by way of bankruptcy there are still companies that are meeting their liability on a case-by-case basis in federal and state courts.

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