Abex Corporation created the Pneumo Abex Asbestos Trust through a unique settlement agreement in 2011 to handle claims for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from its friction products. People exposed to Abex products file claims with this specialized trust fund.
Written by D. Carl Money | Scientifically Reviewed by Sean Fitzgerald, PG | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update: February 2, 2026
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The Pneumo Abex Asbestos Trust is a bit different from other asbestos trust funds because of how it was funded. However, people still file claims with this trust rather than filing lawsuits against the company, as is the case with other trust funds, to receive compensation.
Usually when an asbestos company creates an asbestos trust fund, it’s created through Chapter 11 proceedings and funded in that process. In the case of the Abex trust fund, a significant amount of its assets were contributed through a settlement agreement rather than solely through bankruptcy.
Federal-Mogul, which acquired Abex’s friction products business, initially set up the trust as a standard 524(g) bankruptcy trust. Years later, Cooper Industries, which had owned Abex and held certain asbestos liabilities, expanded the trust, contributing additional funds through a settlement agreement. When the settlement agreement was finalized in 2011, Abex had 38,000 asbestos lawsuits pending.
People with mesothelioma or lung cancer from exposure to Abex products can work with a lawyer to file their trust fund claims. The trust reviews documentation of work and medical history and offers payments based on scheduled values, which help keep payouts consistent for people with similar diagnoses and exposure histories.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you navigate the Pneumo Abex Asbestos Trust claims process. Your lawyer will gather your work and medical records, complete the required claim forms and ensure you meet filing deadlines.
Your attorney can also determine if you were exposed to products from other asbestos companies and help you file additional trust claims or lawsuits. You may also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
A Patient Advocate will match you with a mesothelioma lawyer experienced in trust fund claims. Your Patient Advocate offers confidential support, assists with insurance forms and VA benefits claims and connects you with top mesothelioma doctors. They can also identify support groups and financial assistance programs.
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
Get Help NowBefore the trust was established, Abex faced thousands of lung cancer and mesothelioma lawsuits. Courts awarded nearly $40 million in compensation in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Notable Abex Verdicts and Settlements
These lawsuits involved workers across multiple industries who developed asbestos-related diseases from brake products. The volume of litigation led to the creation of the trust fund in 2011.
Abex Corporation started as American Brake Shoe & Foundry Co. in 1902, manufacturing railroad brake shoes. The company built its reputation on friction products like brakes that contained asbestos for nearly a century. Abex expanded into automotive and aircraft brakes, making the company a major supplier across transportation industries.
The company changed its name to Abex in 1966 to highlight its growing friction product line. Asbestos remained a key component in Abex brake shoes, linings, pads and other friction products through the 1980s. Mergers tied the company to Pneumo Corp., Cooper Industries and Federal-Mogul Corp., which later helped fund the asbestos trust. Today, Abex manufactures heavy-duty brakes without asbestos.
Abex Corporation manufactured asbestos products for use in railroad, automotive and aircraft applications. Workers who manufactured these asbestos friction products faced exposure during production. Mechanics who installed and replaced Abex brakes inhaled asbestos fibers released when handling brake components.
Abex’s Asbestos Products
Workers who came in contact with Abex asbestos products unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on contaminated work clothes. This led to secondary asbestos exposure among family members who could also develop mesothelioma.
Factory workers who manufactured Abex products handled raw asbestos. Mechanics who used Abex products inhaled asbestos fibers when installing and replacing brakes. Workers were also exposed to asbestos through insulation at Abex factories. Occupational exposure is the No. 1 cause of asbestos-related deaths.
Higher Risk Occupations
According to the EPA, “As a best practice, OSHA states that mechanics should assume that all brakes have asbestos-type shoes.” This guidance reflects the difficulty in determining whether brake components contain asbestos without proper testing.
Thousands of people filed claims seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other related costs. Survivors continue to pursue mesothelioma compensation through the Pneumo Abex Asbestos Trust for effects of past exposure to Abex asbestos products.
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Asbestos.com. (2026, January 30). Abex Corporation Trust Fund and Lawsuits. Retrieved February 3, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/companies/abex-corporation/
"Abex Corporation Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Asbestos.com, 30 Jan 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/companies/abex-corporation/.
Asbestos.com. "Abex Corporation Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Last modified January 30, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/companies/abex-corporation/.
An occupational scientist or another expert who specializes in occupational hazards reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current scientific standards and accuracy.
Sean Fitzgerald, PG, is a research geologist specializing in asbestos environmental studies.
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