Thorpe Insulation Company

Thorpe Insulation History of Asbestos Use

Thorpe Insulation Company was founded in Southern California in 1948. The company became an established insulation contractor and distributor serving commercial and industrial facilities.

From 1948 to 1972, Thorpe distributed, installed and repaired asbestos-containing insulation products. The company also performed asbestos insulation removal as part of its contracting operations.

After 1972, Thorpe continued operating in the insulation industry, including asbestos and lead abatement. In 2000, the company established Pacific Insulation Company as a wholly owned subsidiary. Thorpe transferred the assets of its materials division to Pacific.

In December 2004, Thorpe’s remaining operating assets were sold to Farwest Insulation Contracting through a foreclosure sale. Thorpe ceased business operations following the sale. Farwest continued operating as a separate insulation contractor.

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Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust Fund

Thorpe Insulation Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 15, 2007, to address mounting asbestos liabilities. Its subsidiary, Pacific Insulation Company, filed a separate Chapter 11 petition on October 31, 2007. The two bankruptcy cases were subsequently placed under joint administration.

The Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust was established as part of the bankruptcy reorganization to resolve current and future asbestos claims. The asbestos bankruptcy trust fund became effective on October 22, 2010.

The trust compensates eligible individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases after exposure associated with Thorpe Insulation’s operations. Settlements with 13 insurance companies provided more than $600 million in cash and securities to fund the trust.

Most Recent Information From the Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust

According to the trust’s year-end 2025 report, as of December 31, 2025:

• 237 Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust claims were paid.
• The trust paid approximately $23.76 million in asbestos claims.
• Approximately $433.98 million in claims have been paid since the trust was established.
• The trust has approximately $369.36 million in total assets.

Current Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust Payment Percentage

The Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust uses a Case Valuation Matrix to calculate claim values. The Matrix establishes base case values for different asbestos-related diseases, which may be adjusted based on individual claim circumstances.

The trust uses a Funds Received Ratio, which functions as its payment percentage. The current Funds Received Ratio is 58.6%.

The base case value for a Thorpe Insulation mesothelioma claim is $315,463. The trust applies the Funds Received Ratio to the final liquidated claim value to determine the payment amount. Actual compensation varies based on the circumstances of each claim.

Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust Claim Review Process

An experienced asbestos lawyer can evaluate the claimant’s case to determine the appropriate review process when filing a Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust claim. The trust evaluates claims through Matrix Review or Individual Review (IR). Certain claims may also qualify as Extraordinary Claims.

Claim values depend on factors such as the claimant’s diagnosis, age, asbestos exposure history, economic losses and medical expenses.

• Matrix Review: Claims meeting the trust’s medical and exposure criteria are evaluated using the Case Valuation Matrix. The Matrix establishes base case values for different asbestos-related diseases and applies adjustments based on individual circumstances.
• Individual Review: Claims that do not meet the Matrix’s medical or exposure criteria may receive individual consideration. The trust evaluates whether the claim would be valid under applicable law. Approved claims are generally limited to the average value established for the applicable disease category, although exceptions may apply.
• Extraordinary Claims: Claims involving exceptional asbestos exposure circumstances, unusually high medical expenses or exceptionally large damages may qualify for special consideration and higher claim values, subject to the trust’s requirements.

The trust is currently accepting claims to compensate victims. If you or a loved one developed an asbestos-related disease after exposure associated with Thorpe Insulation and believe you are entitled to compensation, learn how a mesothelioma lawyer can help.

Did You Know? Mesothelioma victims may be eligible for compensation from more than one asbestos trust fund. Filing a claim with one trust does not impact your eligibility for compensation from another trust fund. Learn More About Accessing Trust Funds

Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Products

Thorpe Insulation Company supplied and distributed asbestos-containing thermal insulation materials. Its contracting operations also involved installing, repairing and removing asbestos insulation.

Asbestos-containing products associated with Thorpe Insulation included:

• Pipe insulation
• Boiler insulation
• Asbestos cloth
• Insulating mud

These materials were used for thermal insulation and heat protection. Cutting, installing, repairing or removing asbestos-containing insulation could release fibers into the air. Inhaling these fibers increases the risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Thorpe Insulation Company and Occupational Exposure

Thorpe Insulation Company distributed, installed and removed asbestos-containing insulation at power plants, oil refineries, shipyards and other industrial and commercial facilities. Workers may have experienced occupational asbestos exposure by inhaling asbestos fibers released during insulation installation, repair, removal or nearby maintenance work.

Thorpe Insulation employees and other workers may have unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Family members may have experienced secondary asbestos exposure while laundering contaminated work clothes or through close physical contact.

Questions About Filing a Claim Against Thorpe Insulation Company? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question

Asbestos Litigation Against Thorpe Insulation Company

Thorpe Insulation Company faced thousands of asbestos-related personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Over approximately 30 years, the company was involved in approximately 12,000 asbestos claims and lawsuits.

Key developments in Thorpe Insulation Company’s asbestos litigation history include:

• 1978: Thorpe’s insurers began paying to defend and settle asbestos-related claims. Over time, these payments exceeded $180 million.
• 1985: Thorpe Insulation and Continental Insurance entered into the Wellington Agreement, which established the Asbestos Claims Facility to coordinate the defense and settlement of asbestos personal injury claims.
• 1998: Continental determined that Thorpe had exhausted its available insurance coverage and stopped making payments.
• 2003: Thorpe Insulation and Continental reached a settlement agreement, but additional coverage disputes followed.
• 2007: Approximately 2,000 asbestos lawsuits remained pending against Thorpe Insulation.

Although Pacific Insulation Company did not install or sell asbestos-containing products, it was also named in asbestos lawsuits as an alleged successor to Thorpe Insulation.

The growing number of claims, mounting asbestos liabilities and insurance coverage disputes contributed to the company’s bankruptcy. Pacific Insulation also filed for bankruptcy, and the companies subsequently pursued a joint reorganization plan.