Since 1990, NGC has filed bankruptcy twice as a result of asbestos liabilities. Many of the company’s extensive product line from the 1920s to the late 1970s contained asbestos.

The current payment percentage for the NGC trust is 41%, which is much higher than other asbestos liability trust funds.

NGC Asbestos Products

Even though NGC asbestos-containing products were not manufactured after the 1980s, many still remain in homes and businesses across the United States. In addition to the Gold Bond products, the following NGC products manufactured before the early 1980s contained asbestos:

NGC Shingles

  • Asbestos Cement Siding Shingles
  • Chromatex Siding Shingles
  • Chromatone Siding Shingles
  • Chromoshake Siding Shingles
  • Classic 32 Siding Shingles
  • Classic Shake Siding Shingles
  • Classic-Shake
  • Deeptex Siding Shingles
  • Sussex 32 Siding Shingles
  • Woodgrain Siding Shingles

NGC Panels

  • Ripple-Tone Panels
  • Insul-Best Panles
  • National Gypsum Pliaboard
  • Plasticrylic/Plasti-Clad
  • Plia-f-lex
  • Soffit Panels

NGC Cement

  • All-Purpose Joint Cement
  • Crown Coat Cement
  • Joint Cement
  • Topping Cement
  • Tri-Treatment Cement

NGC Plaster/Compound

  • High Humidity Type C Acoustical Plaster
  • Narcoustic Smooth Finish
  • Narcoustic Standard
  • Panelectric Groove Fill
  • Perfect Spray
  • Perfo-Lyte Acoustical Plaster
  • Q-W Compound
  • Rockwall Acoustical Plaster
  • Spackling Compound
  • Spackling Paste
  • Spray Quick A
  • Sta-Smooth Compound
  • Thermacoustic
  • Thermo-Weld Compound
  • Two-In-One Compound
  • Type C Acoustical Plaster
  • Velvet Triple-T Compound
  • Vinyl Topping Compound
  • Wesco Joint Treatment
  • Wood Fibered Plaster

Exposed to a National Gypsum Asbestos Product?

If you've developed an illness from your exposure, you may qualify for compensation from the National Gypsum Company Asbestos Trust.

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NGC Trust History

The company began in 1925 when the founders developed wallboard they advertised as stronger, lighter and more flexible than other brands. The company promoted the wallboard with a “gold bond” guarantee that offered $5,000 to anyone who could produce a better product. NGC eventually branded its wallboard and other construction products as Gold Bond.

In the years that followed, NGC grew exponentially by acquiring many of its competitors, including:

  • Abstone Corp.
  • Allen Town Portland Cement Company
  • American Encaustic Tile
  • Atlantic Gypsum
  • Huron Portland Cement Company
  • Keene’s Cement
  • Murray Tile
  • National Mortar and Supply Company
  • The Austin Company
  • Universal Gypsum
  • Wesco
  • Windsor Paper Mills

Among the most significant acquisitions was Universal Gypsum, one of NGC’s biggest competitors. From the acquisitions, NGC grew to dozens of plants nationwide and incorporated asbestos in about 30 products.
NGC used asbestos in its products through the late 1970s. By the 1990s, the company was facing more than 4,500 asbestos-disease lawsuits and had about $1 billion in debt.

After filing for bankruptcy protection in 1990, the National Gypsum Corporation Settlement Trust was created with more than $600 million to handle asbestos claims. When the trust began running out of funds in 1997, another bankruptcy was filed. In 2003, the NGC Bodily Injury Trust was created with $347 million for claims. To date, the trust has received 361,904 claims.

NGC Trust Compensation

The NGC trust was established by identifying six asbestos-related diseases that have settlement amounts. The trust also allows for two types of settlement reviews to determine if the claimant deserves compensation:

Expedited Review

An expedited trust review is used for most asbestos claims. Trustees have 90 days to review the claim based on predetermined medical and exposure criteria. If the trustee determines the exposure is a result of NGC asbestos and fits the standard for compensation, the claimant receives a fixed settlement amount.

The fixed settlement amounts of the NGC trust are as follows:

Disease Compensation
Mesothelioma $43,753
Lung Cancer $7,408
Other Cancer $3,113

Individual Review

Claimants who desire a larger settlement than the expedited review can provide or who have had their expedited review rejected can opt for an individual review. For an individual review, trustees look at detailed information regarding the claim, including the following:

  • Evidence of the company’s involvement in claimant’s injuries
  • Proof the disease has interrupted the claimant’s life
  • Documentation of injuries and other damages
  • Claimant’s age
  • Claimant’s disease level
  • Impact of illness on the family

Trustees have 120 days to review the claimant’s information and determine if a settlement is warranted. If the claim is accepted, the trustees determine the amount based on the settlement schedule:

Disease Maximum Value
Mesothelioma $180,000
Lung Cancer $30,000
Other Cancer $12,800

Filing a NGC Claim

To file an NGC claim, claimants must document the disease and the NGC connection. Many claimants choose to use the services of an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation to make the process easier.

When filing a claim request, the necessary information includes proof of exposure, location, dates, witness statements and other pertinent facts. All claims (both expedited and individual reviews) are handled on a FIFO (first-in, first-out) basis.

For more information about how an attorney can help with an asbestos claim, contact us today.

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