What the A-Best settlement trust pays and when
The A-Best Products Settlement Trust distributes money to people who were injured by asbestos-containing products made or sold by A-Best Products Company. The trust was created through a bankruptcy proceeding to handle claims from people with asbestos-related illnesses. In 2024, the trust pays a percentage of each approved claim's value rather than the full amount — this percentage changes each year based on how much money the trust has and how many claims it receives.
The payment percentage for 2024 is set by the trust's claims administrator based on the trust's financial position. Because the trust has limited funds and receives more claims than it can pay in full, it distributes what it has proportionally across all approved claims. This means if your claim is approved for $100,000 but the trust is paying at 15% (an example figure), you would receive $15,000. The actual percentage varies year to year and sometimes adjusts during the year if the trust's finances change.
Payments are made directly to claimants or their representatives once a claim is approved and the payment percentage is determined. The timing from approval to payment typically takes several weeks, though this depends on the claims administrator's processing speed and whether your claim requires additional documentation.
Key Takeaways
- The A-Best Products Settlement Trust pays a percentage of approved claim values, not the full amount, because the trust has limited funds relative to the number of claims.
- The payment percentage changes annually and sometimes adjusts during the year based on the trust's financial position and claim volume.
- You must have a documented asbestos-related illness and proof of exposure to A-Best products to have a claim considered.
- The claims administrator for the trust determines whether your claim meets the trust's criteria and calculates your payment based on the current percentage.
- Payments are made directly to you or your legal representative after your claim is approved, typically within several weeks of approval.
How the trust determines your payment percentage
The A-Best Products Settlement Trust operates under a payment matrix — a schedule that assigns dollar amounts to different types of asbestos-related conditions. Mesothelioma claims receive higher values than lung cancer claims, which receive higher values than asbestosis claims. The trust's claims administrator reviews your medical records and exposure history to place your claim in the correct category on this matrix.
Once your claim is categorized, the administrator multiplies your matrix value by the current payment percentage. That percentage is recalculated periodically — typically quarterly or when the trust's financial situation changes significantly. If the trust receives fewer claims than expected or its investments perform well, the percentage may increase. If claims exceed projections or the trust's assets decline, the percentage may decrease.
The trust publishes its current payment percentage on its official website and through the claims administrator. You can contact the administrator directly to learn what percentage will explore to your claim before you submit it, though the percentage may change between the time you ask and the time your claim is actually approved.
What documents you need to submit
To have your claim reviewed, you must provide medical documentation showing you have an asbestos-related illness. This typically means pathology reports, imaging studies (CT scans or X-rays), or a physician's diagnosis letter that specifically names the condition. For mesothelioma, the trust requires either a biopsy confirming mesothelioma or a physician's statement based on clinical and radiological evidence.
You also need to show exposure to A-Best products. This can come from employment records, product packaging or labels you kept, witness statements from coworkers, or historical information about products used at your workplace. The more specific you can be about which A-Best products you handled and when, the stronger your claim. If you cannot locate original documentation, the claims administrator may accept affidavits or testimony describing the exposure.
If you are filing on behalf of a deceased person, you will need a death certificate and documentation that the death was caused by the asbestos-related illness. You will also need to establish your legal right to file — typically through a will, probate court order, or state intestacy law if no will exists.
Timeline from submission to payment
The claims process typically unfolds over two to four months, though complex claims can take longer. After you submit your claim, the administrator reviews it for completeness — this takes one to two weeks. If documents are missing, the administrator sends a request for additional information, and you have a set period (usually 30 days) to respond.
Once the administrator has all required documents, it evaluates whether your claim meets the trust's criteria. This review takes two to four weeks. If approved, the administrator notifies you of the approved amount and the current payment percentage. Payment is then processed, typically within two to four weeks of approval, though some administrators pay faster.
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process adds another one to three months to the timeline. Some denials are reversed on appeal if you can provide additional medical or exposure evidence that addresses the administrator's concerns.
How payment percentage affects your total recovery
The payment percentage is the single largest factor determining how much money you actually receive. A claim valued at $250,000 on the trust's matrix becomes $37,500 if the payment percentage is 15%, but $50,000 if it rises to 20%. Because percentages can shift, the timing of your claim submission and approval matters financially.
Some claimants wait to file, hoping the percentage will increase. This is a gamble — percentages can move either direction. Others file when ready to lock in whatever percentage is current at the time of approval. There is no universally correct strategy; it depends on your health situation, financial needs, and risk tolerance.
If you file and are approved at one percentage, but the percentage increases before payment is processed, you typically receive payment at the percentage that was in effect when your claim was approved, not the new higher percentage. Check with the claims administrator about their specific policy on this point.
Checking the current payment percentage
The A-Best Products Settlement Trust's claims administrator maintains a website with current information about the trust, including the active payment percentage. You can visit this site to see the percentage without filing a claim. The administrator also publishes quarterly updates or notifications when the percentage changes.
You can contact the claims administrator by phone or mail to ask about the current percentage and what it means for your specific situation. The administrator cannot predict future percentages or advise you on whether to file now or wait, but they can explain how the current percentage would explore to your claim based on your condition.
Some law firms that handle asbestos claims track the A-Best trust's payment percentage and notify their clients when it changes. If you are working with an attorney, they may have this information readily available and can discuss how timing affects your recovery.
What happens if the trust runs out of money
The A-Best Products Settlement Trust is designed to operate indefinitely, but it has finite assets. If claims exceed the trust's ability to pay even at a reduced percentage, the trust may implement a claims bar date — a important date after which no new claims are accepted. This has not happened with the A-Best trust to date, but it is a possibility in asbestos trusts with very high claim volumes.
If a claims bar date is set, it is announced well in advance, typically with at least six months' notice. The trust and its administrator publicize the important date through legal channels, asbestos-related disease organizations, and law firms that handle these claims. If you believe you may have a claim, monitoring the trust's announcements is important.
Even if the trust implements a claims bar date, existing approved claims continue to be paid at whatever percentage the trust can sustain. The bar date only stops new claims from being filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the payment percentage go up after my claim is approved?
No. Once your claim is approved, your payment is calculated at the percentage in effect on the approval date. If the percentage increases later, you receive the amount approved, not a higher amount based on the new percentage. If the percentage decreases, your payment does not decrease — you keep the amount approved.
What if I was exposed to A-Best products but do not have medical proof of asbestos disease yet?
You cannot file a claim until you have a medical diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness. If you have exposure history but no diagnosis, you may want to discuss screening with your physician. Once diagnosed, you can file. Filing early does not prevent you from filing later if your condition worsens.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim with the A-Best trust?
No, you can file on your own. However, many people work with attorneys because lawyers are familiar with what documents the trust requires and can help gather evidence of exposure. Some attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your recovery as their fee rather than charging upfront.
How do I know if A-Best Products made the product I was exposed to?
If you have the original product or packaging, look for the A-Best name or logo. If not, describe the product to the claims administrator — they maintain historical records of what A-Best made and can often identify products based on your description of when and where you used them. Your employer's records may also list suppliers.
What if my claim was denied — can I appeal?
Yes. The denial letter explains the reason and your right to appeal. Appeals are typically decided by a different reviewer and allow you to submit additional medical or exposure evidence. Contact the claims administrator for the specific appeal process and important date for the A-Best trust.