EXTENSION TO THE TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGES REGARDING DOCUMENTATION
EXECUTED BY AUTHORIZED LAW FIRM SIGNATORIES
Posted 12/21/2021
In recognition of the ongoing pandemic and the related federal, state and local governmental responses to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Trust has determined that in order to provide for the continuity of operations and to fulfill the primary purpose of the Trust to pay the Trust’s claimants, the Trust will follow the following temporary policy changes:
The Trust will accept electronic signatures on documentation executed by individuals authorized to act on behalf of law firms representing Trust claimants (each a “Document” and, collectively, “Documentation”) pursuant to the following procedure:
1. A law firm representing Trust claimants that intends to sign and submit Documentation electronically must execute and return to the Trust an Agreement to Allow Electronic Signatures on Documentation, attached as Exhibit A (“Electronic Signature Agreement”). Counsel to Trust claimants must use the fill and sign Adobe feature designated by the Trust, or a commercially available equivalent which produces an electronic signature in .pdf format (each computer program compliant with this policy, an “Electronic Signature Program”), to electronically sign the Electronic Signature Agreement and then must submit it to the Trust via email at support@524gtrust.com. The Electronic Signature Agreement must be properly executed and returned to the Trust before a law firm representing Trust claimants may submit electronically signed Documentation to the Trust.
2. Law firms must execute and return the current form of Electronic Signature Agreement if they wish to submit electronic signatures for any Documentation, including Certification(s) for Unpaid Claims – Claimed Exposure Post December 5, 1980 and Certification(s) for Unpaid Claims – Claimed Exposure Pre December 5, 1980 (“Medicare Certifications”). All Medicare Certifications must be submitted to the Trust via email containing the language set forth in Exhibit B to support@524gtrust.com. Counsel to Trust claimants must also use an Electronic Signature Program to electronically sign Documentation other than Medicare Certifications. Counsel to Trust claimants must then submit electronically signed Documentation other than Medicare Certifications to the Trust via the Trust’s online claim processing system.
3. Trust staff will review all submitted Electronic Signature Agreements and Medicare Certifications for compliance and, if satisfactory, scan completed Electronic Signature Agreements and Medicare Certifications into the Trust’s online claims processing system. Trust staff will also review all other electronically signed Documentation submitted by a law firm via the Trust’s online claim processing system and will reject any other Documentation that does not meet the requirements of this policy.
These provisions replace in their entirety those certain Amended Temporary Policy Changes Regarding Medicare Certification COVID-19, as originally posted on March 31, 2020 and amended on April 28, 2020, and are expected to apply until June 30, 2022, or such prior or subsequent date as is determined at the sole discretion of the Trust. The Trust may revert to its prior policies at any time in its sole discretion.
Exhibit A- Electronic Signature Agreement
Exhibit B- Email Language Required for Medicare Certifications
EXTENSION TO THE TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGES REGARDING DOCUMENTATION
EXECUTED BY CLAIMANTS
Posted 12/21/2021
In recognition of the ongoing pandemic and the related federal, state and local governmental responses to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Trust has determined that in order to provide for the continuity of operations and to fulfill the primary purpose of the Trust to pay the Trust’s claimants, the Trust will follow the following temporary policy changes:
The Trust will accept electronic signatures on documentation executed by Trust claimants that is submitted by a law firm representing Trust claimants (each a “Document” and, collectively, “Documentation”) pursuant to the following procedure:
1. A law firm representing Trust claimants that intends to submit Documentation electronically signed by claimants must execute and return to the Trust an Agreement to Allow Electronic Signatures on Documentation, attached as Exhibit A (“Electronic Signature Agreement”). Counsel to Trust claimants must use the fill and sign Adobe feature designated by the Trust, or a commercially available equivalent which produces an electronic signature in .pdf format (each computer program compliant with this policy, an “Electronic Signature Program”), to electronically sign the Electronic Signature Agreement and then must submit it to the Trust via email at support@524gtrust.com. The Electronic Signature Agreement must be properly executed and returned to the Trust before a law firm representing Trust claimants may submit Documentation electronically signed by Trust claimants.
2. Law firms must execute and return the current form of Electronic Signature Agreement if they wish to submit electronic signatures for any Documentation, including Release and Discharge, and Release and Discharge General (“Releases”) and Affidavit of Successor In Interest (“Successor in Interest Certificates”). All Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates must be submitted to the Trust via email to support@524gtrust.com. Trust claimants and Law firms representing Trust Claimants must also use an Electronic Signature Program to electronically sign Documentation other than Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates. Counsel to Trust claimants must submit electronically signed Documentation other than Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates to the Trust via the Trust’s online claim processing system. Each Document electronically signed by a Trust claimant, regardless of manner of submission, must be submitted with a complete certificate electronically signed by an authorized person at the law firm representing the Trust claimant in the form set forth in Exhibit B (each, a “Law Firm Certificate”). The same Law Firm Certificate may be submitted with additional Documentation electronically signed by a Trust Claimant, so long as the representations set out in the Law Firm Certificate remain accurate.
3. Trust staff will review all submitted Electronic Signature Agreements, Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates for compliance and, if satisfactory, scan completed Documentation into the Trust’s online claims processing system. Trust staff will also review all other electronically signed Documentation, including all related Law Firm Certificates, submitted by a law firm via the Trust’s online claim processing system and will reject any Documentation that does not meet the requirements of this policy.
These provisions replace in their entirety those certain Temporary Policy Changes Regarding Electronic Signatures and Direct Mailing of Releases COVID-19, as originally posted on April 29, 2020, and are expected to apply until June 30, 2022, or such prior or subsequent date as is determined at the sole discretion of the Trust. The Trust may revert to its prior policies at any time in its sole discretion.
Exhibit A- Electronic Signature Agreement
Exhibit B – Certification of Firm Representing Trust Claimant Regarding Client’s Electronic Signature
TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGES REGARDING DOCUMENTATION
EXECUTED BY AUTHORIZED LAW FIRM SIGNATORIES
Posted 09/01/2021
In recognition of the ongoing pandemic and the related federal, state and local governmental responses to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Trust has determined that in order to provide for the continuity of operations and to fulfill the primary purpose of the Trust to pay the Trust’s claimants, the Trust will follow the following temporary policy changes:
The Trust will accept electronic signatures on documentation executed by individuals authorized to act on behalf of law firms representing Trust claimants (each a “Document” and, collectively, “Documentation”) pursuant to the following procedure:
1. A law firm representing Trust claimants that intends to sign and submit Documentation electronically must execute and return to the Trust an Agreement to Allow Electronic Signatures on Documentation, attached as Exhibit A (“Electronic Signature Agreement”). Counsel to Trust claimants must use the fill and sign Adobe feature designated by the Trust, or a commercially available equivalent which produces an electronic signature in .pdf format (each computer program compliant with this policy, an “Electronic Signature Program”), to electronically sign the Electronic Signature Agreement and then must submit it to the Trust via email at support@524gtrust.com. The Electronic Signature Agreement must be properly executed and returned to the Trust before a law firm representing Trust claimants may submit electronically signed Documentation to the Trust.
2. Law firms must execute and return the current form of Electronic Signature Agreement if they wish to submit electronic signatures for any Documentation, including Certification(s) for Unpaid Claims – Claimed Exposure Post December 5, 1980 and Certification(s) for Unpaid Claims – Claimed Exposure Pre December 5, 1980 (“Medicare Certifications”). All Medicare Certifications must be submitted to the Trust via email containing the language set forth in Exhibit B to support@524gtrust.com. Counsel to Trust claimants must also use an Electronic Signature Program to electronically sign Documentation other than Medicare Certifications. Counsel to Trust claimants must then submit electronically signed Documentation other than Medicare Certifications to the Trust via the Trust’s online claim processing system.
3. Trust staff will review all submitted Electronic Signature Agreements and Medicare Certifications for compliance and, if satisfactory, scan completed Electronic Signature Agreements and Medicare Certifications into the Trust’s online claims processing system. Trust staff will also review all other electronically signed Documentation submitted by a law firm via the Trust’s online claim processing system and will reject any other Documentation that does not meet the requirements of this policy.
These provisions replace in their entirety those certain Amended Temporary Policy Changes Regarding Medicare Certification COVID-19, as originally posted on March 31, 2020 and amended on April 28, 2020, and are expected to apply until December 31, 2021, or such prior or subsequent date as is determined at the sole discretion of the Trust. The Trust may revert to its prior policies at any time in its sole discretion.
Exhibit A- Electronic Signature Agreement
Exhibit B- Email Language Required for Medicare Certifications
TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGES REGARDING DOCUMENTATION
EXECUTED BY CLAIMANTS
Posted 09/01/2021
In recognition of the ongoing pandemic and the related federal, state and local governmental responses to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Trust has determined that in order to provide for the continuity of operations and to fulfill the primary purpose of the Trust to pay the Trust’s claimants, the Trust will follow the following temporary policy changes:
The Trust will accept electronic signatures on documentation executed by Trust claimants that is submitted by a law firm representing Trust claimants (each a “Document” and, collectively, “Documentation”) pursuant to the following procedure:
1. A law firm representing Trust claimants that intends to submit Documentation electronically signed by claimants must execute and return to the Trust an Agreement to Allow Electronic Signatures on Documentation, attached as Exhibit A (“Electronic Signature Agreement”). Counsel to Trust claimants must use the fill and sign Adobe feature designated by the Trust, or a commercially available equivalent which produces an electronic signature in .pdf format (each computer program compliant with this policy, an “Electronic Signature Program”), to electronically sign the Electronic Signature Agreement and then must submit it to the Trust via email at support@524gtrust.com. The Electronic Signature Agreement must be properly executed and returned to the Trust before a law firm representing Trust claimants may submit Documentation electronically signed by Trust claimants.
2. Law firms must execute and return the current form of Electronic Signature Agreement if they wish to submit electronic signatures for any Documentation, including Release and Discharge, and Release and Discharge General (“Releases”) and Affidavit of Successor In Interest (“Successor in Interest Certificates”). All Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates must be submitted to the Trust via email to support@524gtrust.com. Trust claimants and Law firms representing Trust Claimants must also use an Electronic Signature Program to electronically sign Documentation other than Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates. Counsel to Trust claimants must submit electronically signed Documentation other than Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates to the Trust via the Trust’s online claim processing system. Each Document electronically signed by a Trust claimant, regardless of manner of submission, must be submitted with a complete certificate electronically signed by an authorized person at the law firm representing the Trust claimant in the form set forth in Exhibit B (each, a “Law Firm Certificate”). The same Law Firm Certificate may be submitted with additional Documentation electronically signed by a Trust Claimant, so long as the representations set out in the Law Firm Certificate remain accurate.
3. Trust staff will review all submitted Electronic Signature Agreements, Releases and Successor in Interest Certificates for compliance and, if satisfactory, scan completed Documentation into the Trust’s online claims processing system. Trust staff will also review all other electronically signed Documentation, including all related Law Firm Certificates, submitted by a law firm via the Trust’s online claim processing system and will reject any Documentation that does not meet the requirements of this policy.
These provisions replace in their entirety those certain Temporary Policy Changes Regarding Electronic Signatures and Direct Mailing of Releases COVID-19, as originally posted on April 29, 2020, and are expected to apply until December 31, 2021, or such prior or subsequent date as is determined at the sole discretion of the Trust. The Trust may revert to its prior policies at any time in its sole discretion.
Exhibit A- Electronic Signature Agreement
Exhibit B – Certification of Firm Representing Trust Claimant Regarding Client’s Electronic Signature
Reminder of Policy Regarding Claims in Certain Statuses
Posted 06/23/2021
The Trust would like to remind firms regarding the policy on the length of time claims are allowed to remain in certain statuses. The policy is as follows: The Trust can deem a claim withdrawn after the claim has been placed on “Hold/Deferred”, in “Reviewed Deficient” status, or in “Offer Made” status and remains in one of those statuses for six (6) months. Upon request and for good cause, the Trust may extend this period for an additional six (6) months. After the extended period, the Trust will deem the claim withdrawn. In addition, claims that remain in an “Incomplete” status without a filing fee will be withdrawn after two weeks. Claims that remain in Incomplete with a filing fee will be withdrawn after one year. According to the Trust Distribution Procedures, the existing statute of limitations for the claim will not be affected by the withdrawal, only its place in the FIFO queue. “A claimant can withdraw a Trust Claim at any time upon written notice to the Trust and file another claim subsequently without affecting the status of the claim for statute of limitations purposes, but any such claim filed after the withdrawal shall be given a place in the FIFO Processing Queue based on the date of such subsequent filing. TDP Section 6.3 Any claim that is withdrawn or rejected may be resubmitted, but a new $250 filing fee will be required. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Trust at support@524gtrust.com
EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGES REGARDING ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES AND DIRECT MAILING OF RELEASES AS WELL AS THE TEMPORARY POLICY CHANGES REGARDING MEDICARE CERTIFICATIONS – COVID- 19
Posted 06/18/2021
In continuing to recognize the ongoing response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and related governmental restrictions, the Trust has determined that in order to continue to provide for the continuity of operations and to continue to fulfill the primary purpose of the Trust to pay the Trust’s claimants, the Trust has extended its temporary policy of the Electronic Signatures and Direct Mailing of Releases as well as its temporary policy regarding Medicare Certifications to September 30, 2021, or such prior or subsequent date as is determined at the sole discretion of the Trust. The Trust may revert to its prior policies at any time in its sole discretion.
Modified Successor in Interest Documentation Policy
Posted 05/13/2021
As a reminder, the Trust has historically accepted the following documentation to support a successor in interest signing a release:
- California Probate Code Section 13110 affidavits, properly completed under California law, and similar affidavits properly completed under that laws of other states;
- Letters testamentary and other documentation from probate proceedings definitively adjudicated by state courts of competent jurisdiction; and
- California CCP Section 377.32 affidavits, filed and accepted with a California court of competent jurisdiction, and similar affidavits filed and accepted by courts of competent jurisdiction in other states.
In addition to continuing to accept the above listed documentation in support of a successor in interest signing a release, earlier this year the Trust also began accepting a form of affidavit from a successor in interest for this purpose. As is indicated in the form, changes to the form pursuant to the instructions in the form to accurately reflect the circumstances and status of the successor in interest is allowed. The current form of Successor in Interest Affidavit is linked below.
In continuing to recognize the ongoing response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and related governmental restrictions, the Trust will accept electronic signatures for the form of Successor in Interest Affidavit consistent with the Trust’s Electronic Signature Policy as it applies to releases.
Annual Report
Posted 04/29/2021
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a hearing on the motion to approve Thorpe Insulation Settlement Trust’s Eleventh Annual Report and Accounting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. before the United States Bankruptcy Court Judge, the Honorable Sheri Bluebond, at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles Division, located at 255 East Temple Street, Los Angeles, California 90012 in Courtroom 1539.
New Address
Posted 03/12/2021
Please note, the Trust office has moved.
Please use the below address for all future correspondence.
560 Hammill Lane
Reno, Nevada 89511
Modified Successor in Interest Documentation Policy
Posted 03/08/2021
As a reminder, the Trust has historically accepted the following documentation to support a
successor in interest signing a release:
- California Probate Code Section 13110 affidavits, properly completed under California law, and similar affidavits properly completed under that laws of other states;
- Letters testamentary and other documentation from probate proceedings definitively adjudicated by state courts of competent jurisdiction; and
- California CCP Section 377.32 affidavits, filed and accepted with a California court of competent jurisdiction, and similar affidavits filed and accepted by courts of competent jurisdiction in other states.
In addition to continuing to accept the above listed documentation in support of a successor in interest signing a release, the Trust will now also accept a form of Trust Affidavit from a successor in
interest for this purpose. The form of Trust Affidavit is linked below.
In continuing to recognize the ongoing response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and related governmental restrictions, the Trust will accept electronic signatures for the form of Trust Affidavit
consistent with the Trust’s Electronic Signature Policy as it applies to releases.
Indexed Base Case Values for Economic and Medical Loss
Posted 01/18/2021
The new indexed base cases values for 2021 are as follows:
Economic Loss Base Case- $240,000
Medical Loss Base Case- $263,000
Assumed Future Medical Loss and Funeral Expenses- $98,627
ACH Requirements
Posted 1/07/2021
- Effective on January 1, 2021, the Trust will only be disbursing claim payments and filing fee refunds by ACH.
- If you have not provided your firm’s ACH instructions to the Trust yet, kindly contact Barbara Malm, CFO, support@524gtrust.com, 775-324-5511, with any questions or for assistance in submitting the banking information on the Trust’s form by encrypted mail.
- The completed form must be returned to the Trust in Word format by email to Barbara Malm.
- The email must be sent by a firm partner or, if from another firm representative, a firm partner must be copied on the email.
- If you file with any other Reno Asbestos Trusts, only one form is necessary.
Timing of Requests for Consideration at Trustees’ Meetings
Posted 01/05/2021
Any requests for revisions to Trust policies or procedures, physician certification, modifications to an approved list, and/or Trust Distribution Procedures/Matrix interpretations or questions to be considered during the Trustees’ meeting must be received by the Trust on or before the deadline, listed below.
For requests to be considered at future Trustees’ meetings, the schedule is as follows:
Trustees’ Meeting Deadline for Requests
February 2021 Friday, January 15, 2021
April 2021 Friday, March 12, 2021
September 2021 Friday, August 13, 2021
November 2021 Friday, October 15, 2021
Deferring Claims Update
Posted 01/01/2021
In order to move a claim to deferred you must provide the following information:
- Claimant’s Name
- Claimant’s DOB
- Claimant’s SSN
- Claimed Disease
- Apply $250 filing fee
- List at least one site/ship of exposure
The filing fee will be forfeited if the claim is withdrawn or exceeds the time limitations in the deferred queue. A claim may remain in Deferred for six months, the firm may request an additional six months. If the claim has not been resubmitted after one year, the claim will be withdrawn.