Plibrico Asbestos Trust

Victims who were affected by asbestos exposure due to Plibrico may be able to file a trust fund claim.

As of 2024, Plibrico trust fund claims are paid at 0.94% to ensure there is enough money to pay future claimants.

On March 13, 2002, The Plibrico Company filed its petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On March 1, 2006, the company created its trust fund with $206 million to pay all asbestos-related claims.

Like other asbestos trust funds, the time eligible claimants have to file after an asbestos-related disease diagnosis is limited. Reach out to a trusted legal expert as soon as possible to discuss your options.

See if you qualify for compensation from the Plibrico Asbestos Trust Fund today.

The Plibrico Company & Asbestos Exposure

The Plibrico Company was founded by W.A.L. Schaeffer in 1914 in Northbrook, Illinois to provide pliable firebrick material in cargo ships during World War I.

Pliable firebrick, also called monolithic or unshaped refractories, was considered advantageous because the product could be molded onsite into a single structure to fit high-heat areas.

Other types of refractory materials had to be constructed off-site and shipped.

Plibrico started using asbestos in its firebrick products in the 1950s because of its heat- and fire-resistant capabilities. 

The Plibrico Company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2002 after asbestos litigation against the company began. The company’s bankruptcy trust was established in 2006 and funded with $206 million.

Asbestos Lawsuits Against The Plibrico Company

The Plibrico Company faced thousands of asbestos lawsuits due to its extensive and negligent use of asbestos in its refractory products.

By the 1980s, the company was overwhelmed with legal claims, holding them liable for compensating victims of asbestos-related diseases caused by their products.

Some notable asbestos lawsuits against Plibrico include:

• The Plibrico Company was sued by the New Jersey Local 475 Steamfitters II Union in 2001 due to the group’s high levels of asbestos exposure.
• Plibrico was one of 50 asbestos companies named in an asbestos lawsuit on behalf of Cornelius Dykstra, a man diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.

Associated Companies 

The Plibrico Company was associated with several other companies that manufactured products made with asbestos. 

Most of these companies were either direct competitors or made similar refractory products as The Plibrico Company did.

Individuals who worked for these companies or used their products may have been exposed to asbestos at the hands of The Plibrico Company.

Companies Associated With Plibrico:

• Allied Mineral Products
• HarbisonWalker International
• Morgan Advanced Materials
• Vesuvius

High-Risk Jobs Associated With Plibrico

All Plibrico employees were at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses due to exposure to the toxic material.

Additionally, workers in other industries faced the same risk from exposure to Plibrico products.

Jobs at Highest Risk for Asbestos Exposure

Other At-Risk Jobs

• Bricklayers
• Refractory manufacturers
• Factory workers
• Masons
• Engineers
• Demolition workers
• Foremen
• Shipping handlers

Asbestos Products Used at Plibrico

Like many other refractory manufacturers, Plibrico used asbestos in its products from the 1950s until the 1970s.

Anyone who handled or was around individuals who handled these products may have breathed in airborne asbestos fibers, putting them at major risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Top Asbestos-Containing Products Used at Plibrico Include:

Plibrico Jointless Firebrick

Jointless firebricks were shipped in 100-pound containers from plants in Chicago, New Jersey, and Canada.

For installation, workers pounded into place two-inch-thick pieces of firebrick using a steel hammer or pneumatic rammer. The firebricks were then trimmed, using trowels or other sharp-edged tools, for a smooth look.

Demon High-Temperature Cement

Used for laying firebricks, the Demon products came in air-set and heat-set varieties. The air-set product was advertised as an all-purpose wet cement that was set upon exposure to air.

The heat-set product was in a dry powder form that was mixed with water on location. It required heat to set.

Plibrico Plicast and Air Set

Castable refractories are powder products that are combined with water to be applied to high-heat areas. The products are applied via troweling, pouring, vibrating, and dry or wet gunning.

In a dry form, castable powder containing asbestos can release the dangerous fibers into the air, where they can linger for hours.

The Formation of the Plibrico Asbestos Trust

Although medical journals were reporting asbestos-related diseases as early as the 1920s, most companies ignored the repeated warnings from medical experts.

Plibrico used the dangerous mineral for decades without warning its workers or anyone who came into contact with its products.

By the 1980s, Plibrico faced scores of lawsuits for its reckless use of asbestos. In the 1990s, several high-profile lawsuits brought media attention to the company’s asbestos use.

To avoid collapsing under the weight of the legal and financial problems, Plibrico filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The Plibrico Asbestos Trust was formed on March 1, 2006, through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Illinois.

Like all other asbestos trusts, the Plibrico trust has a limited amount of funds to pay claimants. When the trust opened, it paid 1.2 percent. As of 2024, the payment percentage for all claimants is 0.94%, allowing for an even distribution of funds across all claimants.

Understanding the Different Review Processes

Individuals filing a claim with The Plibrico Company asbestos trust have two different options to choose from to receive financial compensation.

Claimants can either file an expedited review or an individual review to settle their claim.

Expedited Review

The expedited review (ER) process for the Plibrico asbestos trust is the quickest option to receive compensation. 

This claim option is best for individuals looking to receive money as soon as possible to cover bills associated with an asbestos-related disease diagnosis such as treatment costs, lost wages, or funeral expenses. 

The expedited review results in a one-time fixed payment that could be greater than or less than the payout from an individual review.

Individual Review

The individual review (IR) claims process typically takes longer as the trust fund reviews your specific circumstances to determine your payout, but often results in a higher compensation average than an expedited review.

This review process is best for individuals looking to get the maximum amount of compensation from their Plibrico asbestos claim.

Settlement and Payment Percentage in 2024

The Plibrico asbestos trust was formed in 2006 and pays on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, meaning claims are processed in the order in which they are received. 

As of 2024, the payment percentage for Plibrico asbestos claims is 0.94% to ensure all future claimants are able to receive compensation for their injuries.

There are two types of scheduled values for compensation payouts that vary depending on the type of review process you pursue.

Scheduled Values for Plibrico Expedited Review Claims

Disease	Compensation
Mesothelioma	$350,000
Lung Cancer	$250,000
Other Cancer	$65,000
Severe Asbestosis	$120,000
Asbestosis	$15,000
Other Asbestos Diseases	$1,500

Since many asbestos victims have been exposed to various asbestos products from different job sites, you may be able to file claims from multiple trust funds to maximize your potential compensation.

Eligibility Requirements for the Plibrico Asbestos Trust

Individuals filing a claim to receive compensation from the Plibrico asbestos trust must meet two categories of requirements: medical and exposure.

No matter which type of review process you decide to pursue, you must meet the minimum qualifications to receive trust fund compensation.

Medical Requirements

For all disease levels, there must either be a statement from the diagnosing doctor confirming that at least 10 years have passed since the first asbestos exposure or a documented history of the claimant’s exposure showing a 10-year gap between exposure and diagnosis.

Mesothelioma (Level VII)

• Diagnosis of mesothelioma caused by Plibrico exposure

Lung Cancer 1 (Level VI)

• Diagnosis of primary lung cancer plus evidence of an underlying bilateral asbestos-related nonmalignant disease
• Supporting medical documentation establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor in causing lung cancer

Lung Cancer 2 (Level V)

• Diagnosis of primary lung cancer caused by Plibrico exposure
• Supporting medical documentation establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor

Other Cancer (Level IV)

• Diagnosis of a primary colorectal, laryngeal, esophageal, pharyngeal, or stomach cancer, and evidence of an underlying Bilateral Asbestos-Related Nonmalignant Disease
• Supporting medical documentation establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor to cancer

Severe Asbestosis (Level III)

• Diagnosis of asbestosis with ILO of 2/1 or greater, or asbestosis confirmed by pathological evidence
• TLC (Total Lung Capacity) less than 65% or FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) less than 65% plus FEV1/FVC ratio greater than 65%
• Supporting medical documentation establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor in causing pulmonary disease

Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (Level II)

• Diagnosis of asbestosis with ILO of 1/0 or greater, or asbestosis confirmed by pathology, or bilateral pleural disease of B2 or greater
• TLC less than 80% or FVC less than 80% plus FEV1/FVC ratio greater than or equal to 65%
• Supporting medical documentation establishing asbestos exposure as a contributing factor in causing pulmonary disease

Other Asbestos Disease (Level I)

• Diagnosis of a bilateral asbestos-related nonmalignant disease or an asbestos-related malignancy (excluding mesothelioma)

Exposure Requirements

To qualify for any disease level, the claimant must prove they were exposed to an asbestos-containing product or activity before December 31, 1982, for which Plibrico is legally responsible.

Expedited Review Exposure Requirements:

• Other Asbestos Disease (Level I): Plibrico exposure before December 31, 1982, plus significant occupational exposure to asbestos
• Asbestos/Pleural Disease (Level II), Severe Asbestosis (Level III), Other Cancer (Level IV), or Lung Cancer 1 (Level VI): Six months of Plibrico Exposure before December 31, 1982, plus significant occupational exposure to asbestos

If the claimant doesn’t meet these exposure requirements, they can seek individual review based on their exposure to an asbestos-containing product or activity for which Plibrico is legally responsible.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim Against Plibrico

It may seem stressful to file a Plibrico asbestos trust fund claim, but working with a trusted legal team can make the claim filing process easier. 

If you qualify, partnering with our team can help you focus on your health and spend precious time with your family. We’re ready to help you gather every piece of evidence and documentation needed so you can rest assured knowing your claim is filed correctly and in good hands.

Since the amount of money left in the trust diminishes over time, it’s important to file a claim as soon as possible.

Contact us today to learn how we may be able to help you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.

Loved Ones & Family Members 

If your loved one or family member has been a victim of an asbestos-related disease due to Plibrico product exposure, you may be eligible to file a claim on their behalf.

Our team understands the emotional and financial burdens an asbestos-related disease diagnosis can bring to a family. We want you to know there are options for you to receive justice and compensation to pay for treatment costs, lost wages, and more.

Contact our team today — we’d love to help you start the claims process so you can have peace of mind knowing your loved one is being taken care of.