The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust provides compensation to workers who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases from exposure to the company's industrial insulation products [1]. Pittsburgh Corning manufactured UNARCO asbestos pipe insulation—one of the most widely used industrial insulation products in American industry from 1962 to 1972—exposing hundreds of thousands of workers in power plants, refineries, and shipyards across the country [3].
Executive Summary
The Pittsburgh Corning Trust was established following the company's 2013 bankruptcy with funding exceeding $3 billion [4]. Workers exposed to UNARCO pipe insulation and other Pittsburgh Corning products may recover $18,750-$22,500+ for mesothelioma claims at current payment percentages [2]. The trust uses both expedited review (faster processing with scheduled payments) and individual review (for complex cases or higher compensation) [1]. Power plant workers, insulators, pipefitters, and shipyard workers who handled UNARCO products between 1962-1972 should include this trust in their overall compensation strategy, as it typically represents one of multiple asbestos trust funds for which industrial workers qualify.
10 Key Facts About the Pittsburgh Corning Trust
- Trust Establishment: 2013 following Chapter 11 bankruptcy [4]
- Total Trust Funding: Over $3 billion in assets [4]
- Primary Product: UNARCO asbestos pipe insulation (1962-1972) [3]
- Payment Percentage: Approximately 25-30% of scheduled value [2]
- Mesothelioma Scheduled Value: $75,000+ base payment
- Estimated Mesothelioma Payment: $18,750-$22,500 at current percentage
- High-Risk Workers: Power plant, refinery, shipyard, construction
- Filing Deadline: Must file within statute of limitations period
- Processing Time: 6-12 months for expedited review claims
- Review Types: Expedited review and individual review available
What Products Did Pittsburgh Corning Manufacture?
Pittsburgh Corning was a joint venture between Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG Industries) and Corning Glass Works, producing insulation products for industrial and commercial use [3].
UNARCO Asbestos Pipe Insulation
UNARCO was Pittsburgh Corning's primary asbestos product and one of the most widely used industrial insulations in America:
Primary production years for UNARCO asbestos pipe insulation
- Product type: Calcium silicate pipe insulation with asbestos
- Asbestos content: Approximately 15% chrysotile asbestos
- Applications: High-temperature pipe insulation in industrial settings
- Distribution: Nationwide through industrial supply channels
UNARCO insulation was installed on steam pipes, hot water lines, and process piping throughout:
- Power plants (fossil fuel and nuclear facilities)
- Oil refineries and petrochemical plants
- Naval and commercial shipyards
- Chemical plants and manufacturing facilities
- Commercial buildings and industrial complexes
Foamglas Cellular Glass Insulation
Pittsburgh Corning also manufactured Foamglas, a cellular glass insulation product:
- Some formulations contained asbestos as additive
- Used in industrial cold storage and cryogenic applications
- Less commonly associated with mesothelioma claims than UNARCO
Other Pittsburgh Corning Products
- Building insulation materials
- Acoustic ceiling tiles
- Specialty industrial materials
"UNARCO insulation was everywhere in American industry. When I take a detailed work history from a power plant worker or pipefitter who worked in the 1960s and 1970s, Pittsburgh Corning almost always comes up. The company's products were in virtually every major industrial facility in the country—which is precisely why so many workers are now eligible for this trust."
— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano
Who Is Eligible for the Pittsburgh Corning Trust?
The trust accepts claims from individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases after exposure to Pittsburgh Corning products [1].
Disease Categories
The trust compensates multiple asbestos-related conditions:
| Disease Category | Scheduled Value | Estimated Payment (25-30%) |
|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $75,000+ | $18,750-$22,500+ |
| Lung Cancer (Asbestos) | $30,000-$50,000 | $7,500-$15,000 |
| Asbestosis | $15,000-$25,000 | $3,750-$7,500 |
| Other Cancers | $10,000-$30,000 | $2,500-$9,000 |
| Non-Malignant Conditions | $7,500-$12,000 | $1,875-$3,600 |
Exposure Requirements
To qualify for trust payments, claimants must demonstrate:
- Diagnosed disease: Confirmed asbestos-related condition
- Product exposure: Contact with Pittsburgh Corning products
- Exposure duration: Minimum exposure period requirements
- Time period: Exposure during product availability (primarily 1962-1972)
High-Risk Occupations
Workers in these occupations commonly used Pittsburgh Corning products:
- Insulators: Primary installers and removers of UNARCO
- Pipefitters: Worked alongside insulation installation
- Boilermakers: Installed and maintained insulated equipment
- Steamfitters: Steam pipe installation and maintenance
- Power plant operators: Daily exposure to insulated systems
- Maintenance workers: Repaired insulated equipment
- Ship engineers: Engine room insulation exposure
How Does the Pittsburgh Corning Trust Process Claims?
The trust offers two review pathways depending on claim circumstances [1].
Expedited Review
Expedited review provides faster processing for straightforward claims:
- Processing time: 6-12 months typical
- Payment: Scheduled values at current payment percentage
- Documentation: Standard proof requirements
- Best for: Claims meeting standard criteria
Individual Review
Individual review is available for claims seeking higher compensation:
- Processing time: 12-18 months typical
- Payment: May exceed scheduled values
- Documentation: Additional evidence required
- Best for: Strong exposure evidence, significant damages
Required Documentation
All claims require specific documentation:
- Medical records: Diagnosis, pathology reports, treatment history
- Work history: Employment records showing job sites and dates
- Product identification: Evidence of Pittsburgh Corning product exposure
- Exposure affidavit: Sworn statement describing exposure circumstances
- Supporting evidence: Co-worker statements, union records, site documentation
"With 30 years of experience filing asbestos trust claims, I can tell you that documentation is everything. The Pittsburgh Corning Trust has specific requirements, and claims that don't meet them get delayed or denied. We know exactly what evidence is needed—product shipping records, job site histories, exposure durations—and how to present it to maximize recovery."
— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano
What Is the Current Payment Percentage?
Asbestos trusts pay a percentage of scheduled values to ensure funds remain available for future claimants [2].
Understanding Payment Percentages
Approximate current payment percentage for Pittsburgh Corning Trust claims
Payment percentages are determined by:
- Total trust assets available
- Estimated future claims
- Court-approved Trust Distribution Procedures
- Periodic actuarial reviews
Sample Payment Calculations
For a mesothelioma claim with $75,000 scheduled value at 25-30% payment:
- At 25%: $75,000 × 0.25 = $18,750
- At 30%: $75,000 × 0.30 = $22,500
While this may seem modest for a single trust, most mesothelioma patients qualify for claims against multiple trusts. A worker with documented exposure to products from 15-20 manufacturers may receive combined trust fund payments of $180,000-$400,000 or more.
How Does Pittsburgh Corning Fit Into Overall Compensation?
The Pittsburgh Corning Trust is typically one component of a comprehensive compensation strategy [4].
Multiple Trust Fund Claims
Industrial workers typically qualify for claims against many asbestos trusts:
- Johns-Manville Trust — Largest asbestos trust
- Owens Corning Trust — Insulation products
- W.R. Grace Trust — Zonolite/vermiculite
- Garlock Trust — Gaskets and packing
- Celotex Trust — Insulation products
- And 55+ additional active trusts
Lawsuits Against Solvent Defendants
In addition to trust claims, victims may sue companies that didn't file bankruptcy:
- Equipment manufacturers
- Pump and valve companies
- Premises owners (refineries, power plants)
- Contractor defendants
Lawsuit settlements often exceed $500,000-$2 million, in addition to trust fund recoveries.
Total Compensation Strategy
A comprehensive claim typically includes:
| Source | Typical Recovery Range |
|---|---|
| Multiple Trust Fund Claims | $180,000-$400,000 |
| Lawsuit Settlements/Verdicts | $500,000-$2,000,000+ |
| VA Benefits (if veteran) | $47,256/year+ ongoing |
| Combined Total | $400,000-$2,400,000+ |
"I never look at a single trust in isolation. When a power plant worker comes to me with mesothelioma, Pittsburgh Corning is often just one of 15 or 20 trusts they qualify for. My job is to identify every product they were exposed to, document every claim, and maximize their total recovery. That's how you turn individual trust payments into substantial compensation that provides real financial security for families."
— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Trust Claims?
Time limits apply to asbestos trust fund claims, though they differ from lawsuit deadlines [1].
Trust-Specific Deadlines
The Pittsburgh Corning Trust requires claims to be filed within the statute of limitations period applicable to the claimant's state of residence or exposure location.
State Variations
Statute of limitations periods vary significantly:
- Shortest: 1 year from diagnosis in some states
- Longest: 6 years in some jurisdictions
- Discovery rule: Most states measure from date of diagnosis
Review the state-specific deadline guide for your situation.
Importance of Timely Filing
Delaying claims can result in:
- Complete loss of trust fund compensation
- Lost ability to sue solvent defendants
- Reduced evidence availability
- Fading witness memory
What Evidence Strengthens Pittsburgh Corning Claims?
Strong documentation significantly impacts claim success and payment amounts [1].
Best Evidence Types
- Product shipping records: UNARCO deliveries to work sites
- Purchase orders: Facility procurement documents
- Job site photos: Images showing Pittsburgh Corning products
- Union records: Dispatch and work history documentation
- Co-worker testimony: Affidavits confirming product use
- Deposition testimony: From prior litigation identifying products
Site-Specific Documentation
Your attorney may have access to:
- Historic records of UNARCO installations at specific facilities
- Prior litigation documents identifying Pittsburgh Corning at job sites
- Industry databases tracking product distribution
- Expert witness reports on product usage patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust?
The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was created following the company's 2013 bankruptcy to compensate victims of asbestos exposure from Pittsburgh Corning products. The trust is funded with over $3 billion in assets and pays claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
What products did Pittsburgh Corning make?
Pittsburgh Corning manufactured UNARCO asbestos pipe insulation, one of the most widely used industrial insulation products from 1962-1972. They also made Foamglas cellular glass insulation and various building materials. UNARCO was used extensively in power plants, refineries, shipyards, and industrial facilities.
Who qualifies for the Pittsburgh Corning Trust?
Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos diseases who can document exposure to Pittsburgh Corning products qualify for trust payments. This includes power plant workers, pipefitters, insulators, shipyard workers, and others who worked with UNARCO insulation between 1962-1972.
How much does the Pittsburgh Corning Trust pay?
The Pittsburgh Corning Trust pays scheduled values ranging from $7,500 for non-malignant conditions to $75,000+ for mesothelioma claims. The current payment percentage is approximately 25-30%, meaning a mesothelioma claimant may receive $18,750-$22,500 from this trust alone. Individual review claims may receive higher amounts.
How long does it take to receive payment from the Pittsburgh Corning Trust?
Expedited review claims typically take 6-12 months from filing to payment. Individual review claims involving higher amounts may take 12-18 months. Processing times depend on claim completeness, trust workload, and whether additional documentation is needed.
Can I file a Pittsburgh Corning Trust claim myself?
While self-filing is technically possible, the documentation requirements are complex. Most claimants work with experienced mesothelioma attorneys who file trust claims at no upfront cost, typically recovering significantly more than self-filers by identifying all applicable products and maximizing claim values.
Next Steps: Filing Your Pittsburgh Corning Claim
If you worked with UNARCO insulation or other Pittsburgh Corning products and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you likely qualify for trust fund compensation. The key is thorough documentation and timely filing.
Our experienced trust fund attorneys have filed thousands of Pittsburgh Corning claims and know exactly what evidence is needed to maximize your recovery. We handle all trust filings on contingency with no upfront costs.
Related Resources
- Asbestos Trust Funds — Complete trust fund guide
- Owens Corning Trust — Another major insulation trust
- W.R. Grace Trust — Zonolite/vermiculite claims
- Find Mesothelioma Lawyers — Connect with trust fund specialists
- Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your trust fund options
Learn More
- Pittsburgh Corning Trust Guide — Detailed trust information
- Asbestos Trust Fund Overview — All active trusts
- Trust Fund Filing Guide — Filing process explained
Sources:
- Pittsburgh Corning Trust. (2025). Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Distribution Procedures.
- RAND Institute for Civil Justice. (2025). Asbestos Trust Fund Payment Percentages: 2025 Analysis.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2024). UNARCO Pipe Covering: Historical Exposure Data.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Pennsylvania. (2013). Pittsburgh Corning Bankruptcy Settlement Documentation.
- Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (2024). Industrial Insulation Asbestos Exposure: Cohort Studies.
Last updated: January 28, 2026
About the Author
Paul DanzigerFounding Partner at Danziger & De Llano with 30+ years of mesothelioma litigation experience
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