Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust: Payouts
The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust Fund was established in 2016 following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization of the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. Formed in 1937 as a joint venture between Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG Industries) and Corning Glass Works, the company manufactured one of the most toxic, widely distributed thermal insulation products in industrial history—Unibestos. Today, the trust holds substantial financial reserves dedicated to compensating workers and families affected by asbestos illnesses.
Corporate History and the Unibestos Legacy
In 1962, Pittsburgh Corning acquired the Unibestos pipe and block insulation manufacturing line from the Union Asbestos and Rubber Company (UNARCO). Manufactured with high concentrations of amosite asbestos—a particularly rigid and durable amphibole fiber—Unibestos was marketed aggressively as superior thermal insulation capable of enduring extreme industrial temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unibestos was installed across thousands of commercial oil refineries, naval shipyards, chemical processing plants, paper mills, and power generation stations nationwide. Pipefitters, boilermakers, and shipyard insulators routinely sawed and trimmed Unibestos blocks, generating thick airborne clouds of friable amosite dust. Inhaling amosite fibers carries a devastatingly high risk of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and disabling asbestosis.
| Product Name | Manufacturing Years | Asbestos Content & Type | Common Application Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unibestos Pipe Insulation | 1962 – 1972 | 65% to 85% Amosite Asbestos | High-temperature steam lines, power plants |
| Unibestos Block Insulation | 1962 – 1972 | Up to 80% Amosite Asbestos | Industrial boilers, kilns, chemical reactors |
| Foamglas Cements / Adhesives | 1950s – 1970s | 5% to 15% Chrysotile Asbestos | Insulation joint sealing, roofing sealants |
| Temp-Mat Thermal Blankets | 1960s – 1970s | Asbestos-fiber glass blends | Turbine coverings, naval engine spaces |
Bankruptcy Reorganization and Trust Structure
Confronted with hundreds of thousands of personal injury lawsuits, Pittsburgh Corning sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2000. Following extensive negotiations between corporate shareholders (PPG Industries and Corning) and court-appointed legal representatives of asbestos victims, a landmark multi-billion-dollar reorganization plan was approved in 2013 and formally funded in 2016.
The Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust operates under Trust Distribution Procedures (TDP) established under Section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The trust evaluates claims across eight standardized disease levels. To ensure equitable payouts across current and future claimants, the trust maintains an active payment percentage that is periodically reassessed by trustees based on investment returns and claim volume.
| Disease Classification | TDP Scheduled Level | Base Scheduled Value | Review Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malignant Mesothelioma | Level VIII | $250,000 | Expedited Review or Individual Review |
| Lung Cancer 1 (With underlying disease) | Level VII | $90,000 | Expedited Review or Individual Review |
| Lung Cancer 2 (Without underlying disease) | Level VI | $35,000 | Matrix Review |
| Other Cancer (Laryngeal, Ovarian, Colon) | Level V | $35,000 | Expedited Review |
| Severe Asbestosis | Level IV | $65,000 | Expedited Review |
| Asbestosis / Pleural Disease | Level III | $25,000 | Expedited Review |
Filing Requirements and Claim Processing
To successfully file a claim against the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust, an applicant must satisfy both medical and exposure criteria set forth in the TDP. Medical requirements include a certified clinical pathology report confirming the primary diagnosis or radiological evidence demonstrating bilateral interstitial fibrosis or pleural thickening consistent with asbestosis.
Exposure criteria require credible documentation proving that the injured individual worked with or in close proximity to Pittsburgh Corning products—predominantly Unibestos—prior to December 31, 1982. Claims are typically submitted through experienced asbestos litigation law firms who utilize proprietary databases of historical job sites, military ships, and industrial facilities to establish rock-solid product exposure evidence.
How to File a Claim with the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust
Gather Certified Medical Diagnosis Records
Obtain certified pathology reports, tissue biopsy results, and pulmonary imaging confirming mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
Document Exposure to Unibestos Products
Identify specific job sites, industrial facilities, or naval shipyards where you handled or worked near Pittsburgh Corning Unibestos insulation.
Retain a Dedicated Asbestos Attorney
Partner with a law firm that specializes in asbestos bankruptcy trust claims and operates on a contingency fee basis.
Select Expedited or Individual Review
Choose between Expedited Review (fixed scheduled payout with fast processing) or Individual Review (custom valuation based on extraordinary damages).
Receive Trust Compensation Distribution
Upon verification and approval by the trust trustees, receive your financial distribution calculated against the active payment percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions (7 Questions Answered)
Q1: When was the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust established?
The trust was officially established and opened for claim submissions in 2016 following court confirmation of the Chapter 11 reorganization.
Q2: What is Unibestos?
Unibestos was a popular high-temperature pipe and block insulation made by Pittsburgh Corning containing high concentrations of amosite asbestos.
Q3: What is the scheduled value for mesothelioma in the Pittsburgh Corning Trust?
The base scheduled value for Level VIII Mesothelioma is $250,000, to which the active payment percentage is applied.
Q4: Do I have to go to court to receive money from this trust?
No, all trust claims are administrative filings processed directly through trust administrators without courtroom litigation.
Q5: Can surviving family members file a claim if the patient passed away?
Yes, surviving spouses and eligible heirs can file wrongful death claims with the trust on behalf of a deceased loved one.
Q6: Can I file against Pittsburgh Corning and other asbestos trusts at the same time?
Yes, workers exposed to multiple asbestos brands routinely file concurrent claims against numerous bankruptcy trusts.
Q7: What is the deadline for filing a claim with the trust?
Claims must be filed within the applicable state statute of limitations, typically within one to three years from diagnosis or death.
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust Fund remains a vital financial resource for individuals harmed by toxic Unibestos insulation. Claimants do not need to endure a lengthy court trial to receive compensation. By working with an experienced asbestos attorney to compile medical records and verifiable workplace exposure history, victims and surviving family members can secure significant administrative trust payouts.