How U.S. Gypsum Used Asbestos
USG (United States Gypsum Corporation) was a well-known asbestos manufacturer for much of the 20th century. The company added asbestos to building materials to make them stronger, fire-resistant, and durable.
However, asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral, and even small amounts can cause mesothelioma and other severe health problems. Asbestos-containing USG products were used on job sites across the United States, placing countless blue-collar workers, service members, and homeowners at risk of exposure.
Key Facts About USG Asbestos Exposure
- Asbestos products: Joint compound, drywall, wallboard, acoustical plaster, and more
- Industries affected: Construction, building, renovation, demolition, and others
- At-risk workers: Drywall installers, construction workers, shipbuilders, and Navy veterans
- Asbestos trust: USG Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust, originally funded with over $3.9 billion
United States Gypsum kept producing asbestos-containing materials well into the late 1970s, even as the health risks associated with asbestos became public knowledge. By then, many workers had already been exposed, and thousands later filed asbestos lawsuits.
Eventually, USG filed for bankruptcy and created an asbestos trust fund to compensate current and future victims who developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure to its products. See if you qualify for asbestos trust fund payouts from USG and other companies.
U.S. Gypsum Asbestos Trust Fund Information
USG Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001 after decades of asbestos lawsuits tied to its construction materials. Like many asbestos manufacturers, the volume of legal claims made it impossible for the company to resolve them through the court system alone.
As part of the bankruptcy process, the United States Gypsum Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was created in 2006. The trust was funded with nearly $4 billion to compensate people who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from exposure to U.S. Gypsum products.
Today, the trust pays approved claims at approximately 11% of their scheduled value, a percentage that’s subject to change over time based on available funds and future claims.
Who Can File a USG Trust Fund Claim?
You may be able to file a claim if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease after exposure to USG products.
In many cases, family members also qualify if a loved one became sick or passed away due to asbestos exposure linked to USG materials.
Those who may qualify include:
- Construction workers and other tradespeople who handled or worked near USG products
- Spouses and children exposed to asbestos secondhand from dusty work clothes
- Surviving family members of patients who died from an asbestos-related illness
- Veterans exposed to USG asbestos products during their military service
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help identify when and where exposure occurred and handle the USG trust claim process from start to finish.
Steps to File a U.S. Gypsum Asbestos Trust Claim
- Collect documents: You must provide medical records and information about your exposure to U.S. Gypsum asbestos products. An asbestos lawyer can review your work history to prove the details of your exposure.
- File the claim: Your lawyer will submit the claim to the U.S. Gypsum asbestos trust and any other trusts you may qualify for.
- Claim review: Trust administrators will review your documentation and determine whether you’re eligible for a payout.
- Access compensation: You may receive asbestos trust fund compensation in 90 days or less, without ever going to court.
Call our team at (866) 608-8933 to learn how the asbestos attorneys we partner with can help you file a claim.
U.S. Gypsum Asbestos-Containing Products
USG Corporation manufactured a wide range of asbestos products, and anyone exposed could go on to develop serious health issues like mesothelioma and lung cancer decades after the fact.
U.S. Gypsum asbestos products included:
- Acoustical plaster
- Ceiling tiles
- Drywall
- Durabond® joint compound
- Fireproofing materials
- Perf-A-Tape®
- Red Top® cement
- Sheetrock®
- Structo-Lite®
- Wallboard
USG drywall, joint compound, plaster, and other products like those shown above could release asbestos fibers during mixing, sanding, or installation. This would allow asbestos to become airborne, where it could be breathed in by workers and anyone else nearby.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to seek compensation from USG Corporation and other companies responsible for your asbestos exposure. Start with a Free Case Review to learn your options.
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U.S. Gypsum Jobs at High Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Many people worked directly with or around USG products that contained asbestos without knowing the health risks.
Jobs with the highest exposure risk included:
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Drywall installers and finishers
- Electricians
- Factory workers
- Insulators
- Laborers handling wallboard, stucco, or ceiling materials
- Painters
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Roofing crews
People in these roles often worked in dusty environments where asbestos fibers were easily breathed on a regular, if not daily, basis.
U.S. Gypsum Asbestos Lawsuits and Legal Actions
USG products were widely used in drywall finishing, construction, plumbing, and renovation work. As a result, thousands of people across the United States later developed asbestos-related illnesses after handling or being exposed to these materials.
Asbestos lawsuits filed against U.S. Gypsum typically claim that:
- The company knew asbestos fibers were hazardous.
- USG Corporation failed to alert workers, consumers, or the general public.
- Its asbestos-containing products caused mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other diseases.
- Victims deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
By the early 2000s, USG was facing so many lawsuits that it was placing a serious financial strain on the company. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001 so it could manage the costs of these asbestos claims.
What to Do If You Were Exposed to USG Asbestos
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may qualify for compensation through the USG asbestos trust or a personal injury lawsuit.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help:
- Confirm whether USG products were involved in your exposure
- File a claim with the United States Gypsum Asbestos Trust
- Pursue additional compensation from other asbestos companies
- Support your family if a loved one passed away from asbestos-related cancer
Legal help is often essential for navigating these claims, especially for mesothelioma patients who need financial support quickly.
The asbestos attorneys in our network handle the entire legal process for you, making it less stressful to seek the compensation you need.
Find Legal Help for U.S. Gypsum Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after working with or being exposed to asbestos-containing products made by USG Corporation, Mesothelioma Hope is here to guide you forward.
We help patients and families by:
- Reviewing job sites and work history to uncover potential asbestos exposure
- Assisting with filing asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma lawsuits
- Explaining compensation options for spouses and surviving family members
- Connecting you with experienced mesothelioma doctors and trusted support services
Taking the next step is simple. Call (866) 608-8933 or request a free case review with our partner law firm to learn what compensation and resources may be available to you.
United States Gypsum Company Asbestos FAQs
When did the USG stop using asbestos?
U.S. Gypsum began reducing its use of asbestos in the 1970s as health risks became more widely known. Most USG products no longer contained asbestos by the late 1970s and early 1980s.
However, some older products and leftover materials may still have been used at job sites after that time. This means people could have been exposed even years after asbestos was officially phased out.
Do USG ceiling tiles contain asbestos?
Newer U.S. Gypsum ceiling tiles do not contain asbestos. These products were made after asbestos was removed from USG building materials.
Older U.S. Gypsum ceiling tiles may contain asbestos, especially those manufactured before the 1980s. These materials can still pose a risk if they are damaged or disturbed. Many mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while installing, repairing, or removing ceiling tiles, or by working on buildings where these materials were used.
If you believe old ceiling tiles played a role in your exposure, you may have legal options. Get a free case review to understand your next steps.
Did U.S. Gypsum products contain asbestos?
Yes. For decades, many USG building materials, including joint compound, plaster, ceiling tiles, and wallboard, contained asbestos.
That’s why many mesothelioma claims are being filed decades later. Asbestos has a long latency period, so the damage it causes often isn’t discovered until many years after exposure.
Who is eligible for USG asbestos trust fund payouts?
Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another disease who can prove exposure to USG products may qualify to receive compensation from the company’s trust fund.
An experienced asbestos law firm can help you understand your eligibility and pursue payouts from the USG trust.
How long does it take to get compensation from USG asbestos trust fund claims?
How long it takes to receive compensation from the USG Corporation asbestos trust fund depends on the details of your case. Many mesothelioma patients begin receiving their first trust fund payments within 90 days or less when they work with our trusted legal partners.
See if you qualify for asbestos trust fund compensation today with help from our team.
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