Kentile Asbestos Trust: Claims Guide
The Kentile Floors Asbestos Personal Injury Trust is a court-supervised bankruptcy settlement fund established to compensate individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis resulting from exposure to Kentile flooring products. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, Kentile Floors was one of the largest manufacturers of asphalt tile, vinyl asbestos tile (VAT), and cutback adhesive mastic in the world. Claimants and surviving families can secure financial compensation through an out-of-court administrative claims process.
Corporate History and the Bankruptcy Reorganization of Kentile
Founded in 1898 in Brooklyn, New York, Kentile Floors grew into an iconic American manufacturing powerhouse. For most of the twentieth century, Kentile dominated the commercial and residential resilient flooring market, manufacturing asphalt tiles, vinyl asbestos composition tiles (notably 9x9 inch squares), and rubber-based flooring. Millions of square feet of Kentile products were installed across American schools, hospitals, commercial office towers, subway stations, and residential basements.
To enhance structural durability, flexibility, and fireproofing, Kentile formulated its flooring tiles and black cutback adhesive mastics with significant percentages of chrysotile asbestos fibers (frequently between 10% and 25%). By the late 1980s, Kentile was named in hundreds of thousands of personal injury lawsuits brought by flooring installers, carpenters, factory workers, and demolition contractors. Overwhelmed by mounting liabilities, Kentile filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1992, and the Kentile Floors Asbestos Trust was formally established in 1998 under Section 524(g) of the US Bankruptcy Code.
| Historical Milestone | Calendar Year | Significant Corporate Event |
|---|---|---|
| Company Foundation | 1898 | Established in Brooklyn, NY; pioneer in asphalt flooring |
| Peak Asbestos Tile Production | 1940 to 1982 | Manufactured millions of square feet of 9x9 VAT and mastic |
| Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing | 1992 | Voluntary petition filed in US Bankruptcy Court for Southern District of NY |
| Trust Operational Launch | 1998 | Court confirmation of 524(g) trust with initial funding |
| Ongoing Trust Administration | Present | Administering multi-tier claim payouts under published TDP rules |
Trust Distribution Procedures, Disease Levels, and Payout Rates
The Kentile Floors Asbestos Trust operates under standardized Trust Distribution Procedures (TDP) that categorize claims into distinct disease levels based on clinical severity. Malignant mesothelioma claims receive the highest scheduled valuation (Disease Level VIII), followed by lung cancer, other asbestos-related malignancies, and severe disabling asbestosis. Claimants can choose between Expedited Review (for rapid payment of a fixed scheduled sum) or Individual Review (for complex cases seeking customized evaluations).
Because the total volume of historical and projected future claims exceeds available trust assets, the trustees establish a Payment Percentage to ensure funds remain available for future generations of claimants. Approved claims receive a check calculated by multiplying the scheduled baseline value by the prevailing payment percentage. Trustees conduct regular actuarial audits to adjust the payment percentage based on asset investment performance and annual claim filings.
| Disease Classification | TDP Disease Level | Standard Scheduled Baseline | Key Clinical Proof Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malignant Mesothelioma | Level VIII | $125,000 baseline | Biopsy pathology confirming mesothelioma diagnosis |
| Lung Cancer 1 (With Asbestosis) | Level VII | $40,000 baseline | Primary lung malignancy with documented asbestosis |
| Lung Cancer 2 (Without Asbestosis) | Level VI | $18,000 baseline | Primary lung cancer with proven Kentile job exposure |
| Other Cancers (Colorectal, Laryngeal) | Level V | $12,000 baseline | Pathology confirmation with latency and exposure history |
| Severe Disabling Asbestosis | Level IV | $25,000 baseline | ILO 2/1+ chest X-ray or TLC/FVC <65% with latency |
| Asbestosis / Pleural Disease | Level III / II | $6,000 to $10,000 baseline | B-reader X-ray showing plaques or lower-tier scarring |
How to File a Claim with the Kentile Floors Asbestos Trust
Step-by-step procedure for gathering evidence and submitting an administrative claim to the Kentile trust.
Confirm Medical Eligibility
Obtain certified hospital records, biopsy slides, and pathology reports confirming an official diagnosis of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
Document Kentile Product Exposure
Gather employment records, union dispatch tickets, invoices, or coworker affidavits verifying that you handled or worked near Kentile floor products.
Select Review Track
Choose Expedited Review for fast processing of scheduled values, or Individual Review if you seek higher compensation due to extraordinary exposure.
Submit Electronic Claim Packet
Submit the official claim application form, medical evidence, and exposure affidavits through the Kentile Trust administrative portal.
Execute Release and Receive Payment
Upon claim approval, review the determination letter, sign the liability release agreement, and receive your payment percentage check.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions Answered)
Q1: What is the Kentile Floors Asbestos Trust?
It is a court-supervised settlement fund established in 1998 to pay asbestos personal injury claims resulting from Kentile flooring products.
Q2: What products did Kentile Floors manufacture with asbestos?
Kentile manufactured asphalt floor tiles, vinyl asbestos composition tiles (notably 9x9 inch squares), and black cutback adhesive mastic.
Q3: Who is eligible to file a claim with the Kentile Trust?
Flooring installers, carpenters, demolition workers, and homeowners diagnosed with an asbestos disease after handling Kentile products are eligible.
Q4: What is a trust payment percentage?
A payment percentage is the adjusted fraction of a claim's scheduled value paid out, ensuring equitable funds remain for future claimants.
Q5: Do I have to go to court to receive money from Kentile?
No, Kentile Trust claims are resolved entirely through out-of-court administrative filings, with no courtroom trials or depositions required.
Q6: Can surviving family members file a claim with Kentile?
Yes, surviving spouses or legal estate representatives can file wrongful death claims on behalf of deceased family members.
Q7: Can I file claims against other asbestos trusts at the same time?
Yes, workers were usually exposed to multiple asbestos brands, allowing them to file simultaneous claims with multiple bankruptcy trusts.
Q8: How long does it take to get paid by the Kentile Trust?
Under expedited review, complete and un-deficient claim packets are typically reviewed, approved, and paid within three to six months.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
The Kentile Floors Asbestos Personal Injury Trust provides a vital avenue for restitution for flooring installers, construction tradespeople, and homeowners injured by legacy vinyl-asbestos tiles. By utilizing an out-of-court administrative claims process with fixed evidentiary criteria, claimants avoid protracted courtroom trials. Individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses who worked with or removed Kentile floor products should consult an attorney to file timely claims.