Garlock Sealing Technologies manufactured asbestos-lined gaskets used in pipes, valves and other applications. Asbestos litigation led Garlock to file for bankruptcy in 2010. The Garlock trust fund contains $502.5 million to compensate people.
Written by D. Carl Money | Scientifically Reviewed by Sean Fitzgerald, PG | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update: December 12, 2025
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Unlike other asbestos trust funds, the Garlock Sealing Technologies fund doesn’t have a fixed annual payment percentage. Instead, it uses a specific formula and maximum annual payment allocations to fund claims. As of 2025, the trust allocates its maximum annual payment of 85% for mesothelioma claims, 10% for lung cancer claims and 5% for all other asbestos-related diseases.
Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust Updates
Garlock faced more than 900,000 asbestos-related claims and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010. After 2 rejected reorganization plans, the court approved a plan in June 2017, creating the GST Settlement Facility to compensate people who developed mesothelioma and other diseases because of Garlock’s asbestos products. The asbestos trust fund began accepting claims on September 17, 2018.
An experienced asbestos lawyer can help mesothelioma survivors and their families get compensation for medical expenses, travel costs and lost wages. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer after working with Garlock Sealing Technologies products like gaskets and packing, you might qualify to seek financial help through the GST Settlement Facility.
The time allowed to file a claim, called the statute of limitations, varies for each trust. Your lawyer will ensure your asbestos trust fund claim is submitted on time and correctly. Your lawyer can also assess if there are other mesothelioma compensation options available to you.
Patient Advocates assist mesothelioma survivors and their loved ones with finding the right lawyer to help them pursue financial assistance. Our team of advocates can also connect you with top doctors, schedule appointments, manage insurance, file VA benefits claims and introduce you to support groups for survivors and caregivers.
Gain access to trust funds, grants and other forms of compensation for you or your loved ones.
Get Help NowGarlock faced hundreds of thousands of asbestos-related claims. The company defended itself against mesothelioma lawsuits aggressively in court, winning some cases while paying multimillion-dollar settlements in others. Litigation involved employees, contractors and others exposed to Garlock’s products over many decades.
Key Garlock Verdicts and Settlements
Before filing for bankruptcy in 2010, Garlock spent tens of millions of dollars each year on settlements. The company also challenged the co-defendants’ bankruptcy plans to avoid assuming additional asbestos liability for other companies’ asbestos exposure. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, Garlock still had more than 100,000 cases pending. The company paid nearly $1.37 billion in indemnity, with insurance covering more than $1 billion.
Garlock manufactured gaskets, valve packing and packaging materials containing asbestos from 1907 to 1980. The company initially made seals for pistons on steam engines and later expanded to provide gaskets, valves and packing for manufacturing, power generation, shipbuilding and other industries.
Garlock products were also used on U.S. Navy vessels, including submarines. Military service members and civilians who handled these materials faced airborne asbestos exposure during installation, use and repair.
People who made or worked with these products were exposed to asbestos fibers, putting them at risk for diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Because Garlock produced asbestos-containing products for decades, thousands of people were exposed, many of whom later filed claims for asbestos-related diseases.
Garlock’s asbestos products reached nearly every major industry in the 20th century. People in many trades handled gaskets, packing and seals while keeping equipment running in high-demand settings. Exposure often occurred during routine tasks like installation, maintenance and replacement.
Higher Risk Jobs
The reach of Garlock’s products meant exposure wasn’t limited to factory workers. Electricians, pipefitters and engineers who relied on Garlock materials also carried the risk of asbestos exposure, increasing the chances of developing diseases such as mesothelioma later in life.
Studies confirm these elevated risks. A recent surveillance study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found workers in construction trades, including insulators, pipefitters, plumbers and carpenters, had significantly higher rates of mesothelioma and asbestosis compared with other workers.
Garlock used asbestos fibers in its products to help them handle the intense heat and pressure inside industrial systems. The mineral’s durability and resistance to corrosion made it a common ingredient in Garlock’s sealing and insulation lines.
Key Garlock Products
These products were widely distributed to manufacturers, utilities and shipyards. Because asbestos fibers could escape when materials were cut, fitted or replaced, anyone working with Garlock’s products risked inhaling the fibers.
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Asbestos.com. (2025, December 12). Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust Fund and Lawsuits. Retrieved December 18, 2025, from https://www.asbestos.com/companies/garlock/
"Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Asbestos.com, 12 Dec 2025, https://www.asbestos.com/companies/garlock/.
Asbestos.com. "Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust Fund and Lawsuits." Last modified December 12, 2025. https://www.asbestos.com/companies/garlock/.
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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