NARCO Asbestos Trust Payments Guide
The NARCO Asbestos story is one of industrial innovation shadowed by tragedy. For years, the North American Refractories Company supplied heat-resistant materials used in steel mills, factories, and power plants, many of which contained dangerous asbestos fibers. These products unknowingly exposed countless workers and their families to severe health risks.
As a result, thousands of victims have pursued compensation through the NARCO Asbestos Claim and the established trust fund, which provides financial relief to those affected by asbestos-related diseases. This guide outlines how the NARCO Asbestos Trust operates, eligibility criteria, and the process for filing a claim.
NARCO Asbestos Trust Compensation Values (Disease Schedule)
The NARCO Asbestos Trust values claims by disease level. The scheduled values below come from section 4.3 of the trust’s Third Amended Trust Distribution Procedures (checked October 5, 2026). A scheduled value is what the trust assigns a claim paid through Expedited Review, before the payment percentage is applied.
| Disease Level & Category | Scheduled Value |
|---|---|
| Mesothelioma (Level VII) | $75,000 |
| Lung Cancer 1 (Level VI) | $18,000 |
| Lung Cancer 2 (Level V) | No scheduled value (Individual Review only) |
| Other Cancer (Level IV) | $9,000 |
| Severe Asbestosis (Level III) | $18,000 |
| Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (Level II) | $7,500 |
| Other Asbestos Disease (Level I) | $1,200 |
Mesothelioma claims can also go through Individual Review, where the trust values the claim on its own facts. After the trust’s July 1, 2025 inflation adjustment, the average value for a mesothelioma claim is $127,604 and the maximum is $1,379,580.
Like every asbestos trust, NARCO pays the scheduled value multiplied by its payment percentage.
NARCO Trust Payment Percentage
The NARCO Asbestos Trust continues to provide compensation to individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases through a structured payment system. Each approved claim is paid based on the trust’s established NARCO Asbestos Trust payment percentage, which represents the fraction of a scheduled disease value that claimants actually receive. This percentage helps ensure that the trust remains financially stable and capable of compensating both current and future victims of asbestos exposure.
The trust’s website lists its payment percentage as 100 percent of the scheduled value for Expedited Review and 100 percent of the settlement value for Individual Review (checked October 5, 2026). The trust has not published an effective date for that rate. At 100 percent, a mesothelioma claim approved through Expedited Review is paid the full $75,000 scheduled value.
| Disease Level & Category | Scheduled Value | Payment % | Expedited Review payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma (Level VII) | $75,000 | 100% | $75,000 |
| Lung Cancer 1 (Level VI) | $18,000 | 100% | $18,000 |
| Lung Cancer 2 (Level V) | No scheduled value (Individual Review only) | 100% | Set by Individual Review |
| Other Cancer (Level IV) | $9,000 | 100% | $9,000 |
| Severe Asbestosis (Level III) | $18,000 | 100% | $18,000 |
| Asbestosis/Pleural Disease (Level II) | $7,500 | 100% | $7,500 |
| Other Asbestos Disease (Level I) | $1,200 | 100% | $1,200 |
For comparison, most asbestos trusts pay far less. Of the 35 trusts in the payment percentage table on our trust funds page that publish a current rate, 21 pay less than 25 percent, and the median rate is 15.3 percent.
Comparing NARCO’s Payment Percentage to Other Asbestos Trusts
Payout percentages vary widely between asbestos trusts, depending on each fund’s available assets, claim volume, and historical liabilities. Here is how NARCO compares to other large trust funds, using each trust’s mesothelioma scheduled value and its payment percentage (checked October 5, 2026).
| Asbestos Trust Name | Scheduled Value (Mesothelioma) | Payment % |
|---|---|---|
| NARCO Asbestos Trust | $75,000 | 100% |
| Owens Corning (OC/FB Trust) | $215,000 | 4.3% |
| Fibreboard (OC/FB Trust) | $135,000 | 3.5% |
| Johns-Manville Trust | $350,000 | 5.6% |
| Armstrong World Industries Trust | $110,000 | 10.8% (under review since June 11, 2026) |
| U.S. Gypsum Trust | $155,000 | 10% (pending final approval) |
Want to see how this compares to payout percentages from other asbestos trust funds? Check out our Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts Guide.
NARCO Asbestos-Containing Products
NARCO made refractory products: heat-resistant bricks, cements, mortars, castables and plastic refractories used to line furnaces, kilns, boilers and ladles in steel mills, foundries, refineries and power plants. To qualify for payment, a claimant must show exposure to a NARCO asbestos-containing product as the trust’s distribution procedures define it.
Overview of the NARCO Asbestos Claim and Trust Fund
The NARCO Asbestos Claim began after decades of asbestos use by the North American Refractories Company (NARCO), a manufacturer of refractory bricks, insulation, and industrial cement products used in steel mills and power plants. The first major claims emerged in the 1980s, as workers who had handled NARCO materials developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. During litigation, internal company documents and expert testimony revealed that NARCO knew about the serious health risks associated with asbestos but continued to use it for years without proper warnings or worker protection. This evidence proved the company’s negligence and liability for exposing thousands of workers and their families to asbestos.
In 2002, NARCO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because of the overwhelming number of asbestos-related claims. Honeywell International, which sold NARCO in 1986, agreed to fund the trust created under NARCO’s bankruptcy plan. The NARCO Asbestos Trust came into existence on April 30, 2013, when the plan took effect, and began accepting claims on October 15, 2013. In December 2022 the bankruptcy court approved a buyout of Honeywell’s ongoing funding obligation, which closed on January 30, 2023. Today, the trust remains an essential resource for victims seeking compensation.
NARCO Asbestos Use Timeline, When Did It Stop?
NARCO began incorporating asbestos into its refractory and insulation materials in the 1930s, using it heavily in products like cements, bricks, and industrial coatings designed for high heat applications. The company continued to use asbestos until the late 1970s, even as evidence of its dangers became public. By the early 1980s, NARCO had largely discontinued or reformulated its asbestos-containing materials in response to stricter federal regulations and growing health concerns.
Current Balance of the NARCO Asbestos Trust Fund
The trust’s 2025 audited financial statements report net claimants’ equity of $1,260,412,792 as of December 31, 2025, compared with $1,263,773,827 a year earlier, and total assets of $1,332,802,706. The trust paid about $78.7 million in claims during 2025. Its payment percentage, currently 100 percent of scheduled value per the trust website, determines how much of the scheduled claim value each claimant receives. Oversight by an independent board of trustees ensures that funds remain available for both current and future victims.
Eligibility for Filing a NARCO Asbestos Claim
You may be eligible to file a claim through the NARCO Asbestos Trust if you can show:
- A confirmed diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
- Proof of exposure to NARCO products or worksites where these materials were used.
- Work or secondary exposure (for example, family members exposed to asbestos dust from a worker’s clothing) that occurred while NARCO products containing asbestos were in use.
To file, claimants must provide medical documentation, work history, and evidence of asbestos exposure. Experienced asbestos attorneys can help gather the necessary proof and navigate the claims process. Once verified, payments are determined based on disease severity and the current payment percentage.
The NARCO Asbestos Claim and resulting trust fund remain a cornerstone of accountability and justice for individuals and families affected by decades of unsafe industrial practices.
How to File a NARCO Asbestos Claim
At Mesothelioma Lawyer Center, we’ve helped countless families across the U.S. successfully file asbestos trust claims, including those through the NARCO Asbestos Trust. Our dedicated legal team understands how complex and time-sensitive these claims can be, and we make it our mission to secure the maximum compensation available for each client.
Have you or a loved one developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness after using NARCO products? Our mesothelioma lawyers are ready to fight for your compensation. Contact us online or call 800-793-4540 for immediate assistance.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. The information on this website is not intended as legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney. Legal outcomes and laws can vary by jurisdiction, and only a qualified lawyer can provide guidance tailored to your situation.
Further reading: our asbestos trust fund coverage.
Sources. Figures on this page were checked October 5, 2026. Payment percentages change as trustees reassess trust assets, so check the trust’s own notice for the rate in effect on the day you file.
- NARCO scheduled values: Third Amended NARCO Asbestos TDP, section 4.3
- NARCO average and maximum values: NARCO CPI adjustment notice, July 1, 2025
- NARCO payment percentage: NARCO Asbestos Trust website
- NARCO net claimants’ equity: NARCO Trust 2025 annual report and financial statements
- Other trusts’ payment percentages: payment percentage table on our trust funds page, which links each trust’s record
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