Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust

Founded in 1948 in Southern California, Thorpe Insulation Company focused on distributing, installing, repairing, and removing asbestos-containing insulation for over two decades.

The company’s operations took place primarily at industrial sites where high-heat machinery was used, including shipyards, power plants, and oil refineries.

Thorpe used and worked with asbestos-containing insulation products from 1948 to 1972. By the early 1970s, the company faced nearly 12,000 lawsuits as a result of its misuse of asbestos.

Thorpe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 15, 2007. The Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust was court-ordered to put funding aside in an asbestos trust fund to help victims and their families.

The trust also covers the liabilities of its subsidiary, Pacific Insulation Company.

See if you qualify for compensation from The Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust today.

Thorpe Insulation & Asbestos Exposure

Thorpe Insulation Company was founded in 1948 in Southern California, and, as its name implies, manufactured and sold insulation products.

From its founding through the early 1970s, the company used asbestos in many of its products. Like other companies at the time, Thorpe considered asbestos to be the perfect additive to make products heat-, fire-, and chemical-resistant.

As early as the 1930s, asbestos was known to cause significant health issues, including various cancers. By the 1980s, Thorpe Insulation, and related company Pacific Insulation Co., were facing numerous personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

Due to the mounting litigation, Thorpe Insulation Co. eventually submitted a plan to the bankruptcy courts that would allow the company to restructure its assets to award financial compensation to eligible victims of asbestos exposure caused by Thorpe products.

Associated Companies

The owners of Thorpe Insulation Company through the early years of litigation and the creation of the trust, Robert and Linda Fults, also owned Pacific Insulation Company, which became a subsidiary of Thorpe in 2000. Both companies are part of the Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust.

According to its bankruptcy documentation, the established trust has no affiliations with similarly named companies and trusts including the following:

• J.T. Thorpe Company Successor Trust, a Texas-based bankruptcy trust
• Thorpe Corporation, a Texas-based refractory company
• J.T. Thorpe & Sons, a northern-California refractory company
• J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust, a Nevada-based bankruptcy trust

That said, the Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust shares a Nevada-based administrative and claims processing service with the Western Asbestos Settlement Trust, the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust, and the Plant Asbestos Settlement Trust. The processing service handles all of the claims for the four funds.

Companies Associated With Thorpe Insulation Co.:

• Pacific Insulation Company 
• Thorpe Corporation
• J.T. Thorpe & Sons, Inc.
• Western MacArthur

High-Risk Jobs Associated With Thorpe Insulation

The Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust maintains a list of dozens of occupations that faced significant exposure to the company’s asbestos products.

The risk of asbestos exposure stemming from Thorpe Insulation Company was widespread due to its products’ diverse array of applications. For example, Thorpe insulation was used in sites ranging from schools to ships.

Jobs at Highest Risk for Asbestos Exposure

The company’s products were used in a variety of industrial settings. Many of the at-risk occupations are in fields that include asbestos manufacturing, distribution, and installation.

Other at-risk occupations include:

• Shipyard workers
• Railroad workers
• Boiler operators
• Cable pullers
• Insulation helpers
• Insulation machinists
• Lagging foremen
• Refractory insulators
• Spray insulators
• Plant workers
• Hopper loaders
• Laborers
• Electricians
• Machinists
• Sandblasters
• Millwrights

Dangers of Secondhand Exposure

Secondhand asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are brought into the home on a worker’s clothing, hair, or skin.

This type of exposure can be just as dangerous as direct contact, as the tiny, sharp fibers can be easily inhaled or ingested by family members and loved ones. 

Over time, these fibers can lodge in the lungs or other tissues, leading to serious health issues such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.

Tragically, many families have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos through contaminated work clothes, putting them at risk for these deadly diseases without ever having set foot in an industrial setting.

Job Sites With Proven Thorpe Insulation Asbestos Exposure

Thorpe insulation was used on many job sites, including in commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, and shipyards.

Some of the more prominent locations in California include:

• Disneyland
• NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
• Lockheed Corp.
• NBC Studios
• Pabst Brewery
• Procter & Gamble
• Reynolds Aluminum
• San Diego Naval Shipyard
• Technicolor Studios
• Beverly Hills Hotel

Asbestos Products Used at Thorpe Insulation

Asbestos, valued for its heat-resistant and insulating properties, was a common ingredient in many products used by Thorpe.

The company provided and installed insulation for a wide range of industries, including construction, shipbuilding, and industrial manufacturing, making its products ubiquitous across several sectors.

One of the primary asbestos-containing products used by Thorpe was pipe insulation. This insulation, typically wrapped around steam pipes, boilers, and other high-temperature equipment, was designed to prevent heat loss and protect workers from burns.

Thorpe also utilized asbestos in block insulation, cement, and spray-applied fireproofing materials. These products were commonly used in construction projects, where they served to protect buildings from fire and reduce energy costs.

The widespread use of these materials meant that many workers were unknowingly exposed to asbestos on a daily basis.

Despite the known dangers, Thorpe Insulation Company continued to use asbestos-containing products for decades, leaving a legacy of health risks that persists today.

Top Asbestos-Containing Products Used at Thorpe Insulation

• Pipe insulation
• Block insulation
• Asbestos cement
• Spray-applied fireproofing
• Asbestos cloth and tape
• Gaskets
• Asbestos lagging

The Formation of the Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust

The Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust was established as part of the bankruptcy proceedings of Thorpe Insulation Company.

Thorpe Insulation faced numerous lawsuits due to the health hazards caused by asbestos exposure, which led to the creation of the trust to compensate victims who developed asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The trust was funded by contributions from Thorpe Insulation and other parties involved in asbestos litigation, with the purpose of handling and paying claims from individuals who were harmed by exposure to Thorpe’s asbestos products.

It serves as a means to resolve these claims fairly and efficiently, outside of the traditional court system.

Settlement and Payment Percentage in 2024

Eligible claimants can file for compensation through one of two options:

Expedited Review Claim

This process offers a quicker resolution and is ideal for claimants who meet the standard medical and exposure criteria set by the trust.

The expedited review (ER) involves a streamlined evaluation of the claim, and if approved, the claimant receives a predetermined fixed payment amount. This option is generally chosen by those who prioritize speed and certainty over a potentially higher payout.

Individual Review Claim

This option allows for a more detailed and individualized assessment of the claimant’s situation. It’s suitable for those who may not meet the standard criteria or believe their case warrants a higher compensation than the fixed amount offered in the expedited review.

The individual review (IR) process considers unique factors such as the claimant’s level of exposure, medical history, and the impact of the disease on their life.

While this process may take longer and is more complex, it offers the possibility of a larger compensation amount based on the specific circumstances of the claim.

By offering these two pathways, the Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust aims to provide fair and timely compensation to those affected by asbestos exposure while accommodating the varying needs and circumstances of each claimant.

Payout Examples

A payout for the Thorpe asbestos trust not only depends on its status as an ER or IR claim but also on other factors, including the type and severity of the victim’s asbestos-related illness. 

Additionally, due to claims by Thorpe’s insurers that the company’s historical settlement records are confidential, the plan proponents have utilized the average settlement value from the Western Asbestos Settlement Trust Matrix, adjusted for inflation.

Example compensation values for the various diseases recognized by the trust include:

Disease	Base Case Values	Average Values
Mesothelioma	$315,463	$597,913
Lung Cancer	$70,794	$227,281
Other Cancer	$25,442	$85,575
Grade I Non-Malignancy	$36,661	$58,827
Grade II Non-Malignancy	$21,193	$24,892

If a Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust claim is denied, the claimant has the right to provide updated information and file a new application. Filing a claim can be time-consuming and confusing, so legal expertise may be helpful for success and moving the claims process forward as quickly as possible.

How to File a Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust Claim

Anyone exposed to Thorpe insulation products may be eligible for a financial settlement from the company’s bankruptcy trust.

Filing a claim can be a confusing process, so legal expertise may be helpful for success.

The Thorpe Trust and the Pacific Insulation Company Trust manage their claims on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, meaning the requests are handled in the order they are received.

Claims that do not meet the presumptive medical or exposure criteria must undergo an individual review.

In general, claimants must follow the trust’s procedures for a settlement, as follows:

• Either independently or with an attorney’s assistance, claimants compile the information needed to file a financial request. Documents include payroll reports, witness statements, medical records, etc.
• Once the trust receives the documents, trustees look over the information to decide how to go forward. The trustees may conclude that more information is needed for the claim, that the claim is accepted, or that the claim is denied. When a request is denied, the claimant has the right to provide updated information and file a new application.
• When a claim is accepted, the trustees use a matrix of payment amounts to determine the settlement.
• The claimant receives compensation in the form of an ACH payment.

Getting Help for Your Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust

Navigating the complexities of asbestos trust claims can be overwhelming, but having the right guidance and support can make all the difference.

Help from a trusted attorney may alleviate the stress that comes with gathering the evidence and documentation necessary to file. 

If you qualify, an experienced asbestos lawyer can handle the claims process on your behalf, with the goal of maximizing your potential compensation.

With their expertise, you can focus on your health and well-being while they work diligently to secure the justice and financial support you deserve.

Take the first step today and see if you may be eligible for compensation.