If you served in the military and were around Bendix / Honeywell asbestos products, you may be able to file a claim with the Honeywell Bendix Asbestos Trust. Asbestos trust funds are set up by companies that made asbestos products and later filed for bankruptcy. They are separate from the VA, so a veteran can often pursue a trust claim and VA benefits at the same time. There is no cost to speak with us about your service history.
About Bendix / Honeywell and its asbestos trust
The Bendix Corporation friction-products division, later part of Honeywell, made asbestos brake and clutch components. Its asbestos liabilities are handled through Honeywell trust settlements.
Bendix / Honeywell asbestos products
The Honeywell Bendix Asbestos Trust covers exposure to products such as:
- asbestos brake linings (pads, shoes, and drum-brake assemblies)
- clutch facings
Most of these products contained asbestos during the period 1939-1985.
Who may qualify
Exposure to Bendix / Honeywell products was most common among Army (highest, among wheeled and track vehicle mechanics), Air Force aircraft and ground-vehicle brakes, Marines vehicle mechanics, and Navy vehicle and aircraft components. The roles most often associated with this exposure include wheeled and track vehicle mechanics (Army MOS 63B and 63C), aircraft mechanics, and motor-pool personnel. Bendix brakes were standard on military vehicles and aircraft, so mechanics and motor-pool veterans frequently qualify.
Qualifying for a trust claim generally depends on a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease, evidence of exposure to the company’s products, and meeting the trust’s documentation requirements.
Scheduled values and payments
The Honeywell Bendix Asbestos Trust publishes scheduled values for different diseases. For mesothelioma, the historical scheduled value has been in the range of $80,000, and the trust has paid a percentage of that value (reported in the range of 6 to 10 percent in recent public filings).
These are reference values from publicly disclosed trust documents and historical filings. They are not a promise of payment. Scheduled values and the percentage a trust pays change over time, and an actual recovery depends on an individual trust evaluation. We confirm current figures against the trust’s published documents during a case review.
How to file a claim with the Bendix trust
A trust claim generally involves confirming the diagnosis, documenting where and when the exposure happened, completing the trust’s claim form, and submitting supporting records. A claim can move forward whether the veteran is living or a family member is filing on behalf of someone who has passed.
Exposure on ships, bases, and in service jobs
Bendix / Honeywell products were encountered in several military settings. To see where this exposure happened, and the jobs most affected, see asbestos on Navy ships, the military bases directory, and asbestos trust funds for veterans. You can also pursue VA benefits in parallel: see VA benefits for mesothelioma and filing a VA claim and a trust claim together.
For the full list of trusts most relevant to veterans, see the asbestos trust funds directory.
Get help with your claim
We help veterans and their families understand their compensation options. There is no cost to speak with us about your case.
Call: (800) 763-9692
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Honeywell Bendix Asbestos Trust?
It is a bankruptcy trust set up to compensate people harmed by Bendix / Honeywell asbestos products. The Bendix Corporation friction-products division, later part of Honeywell, made asbestos brake and clutch components. Its asbestos liabilities are handled through Honeywell trust settlements.
Can I file a Bendix / Honeywell trust claim and a VA claim?
In many cases, yes. Trust claims are paid by the manufacturer’s trust, not the VA, so the two are usually separate paths. A case review can confirm which options apply to you.
How much does a trust claim pay?
For mesothelioma, this trust’s historical scheduled value has been around $80,000, and it pays a percentage of that. These are reference values from publicly disclosed trust documents and historical filings. They are not a promise of payment. Scheduled values and the percentage a trust pays change over time, and an actual recovery depends on an individual trust evaluation. We confirm current figures against the trust’s published documents during a case review.
Can a family file if the veteran has passed away?
Yes. A surviving spouse or dependent can often file a trust claim and may also qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Sources
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/asbestos/
- https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-special-asbestos.asp