Updates to Site and Ship Lists
Posted 10/04/2006:
Modifications to the Western Ships Built, Western Ships Repaired, and Minnesota On Land Site List were approved at the Trustee meeting on Thursday September 21, 2006. These lists have been updated and are available in the Claim Packet. Please review these lists, which now include a modification column on new list revisions, as well as a documents entitled “Western Ships Repaired-Deleted Ships-09.21.06” and “Western Ships Built-Deleted Ship-09.21.06” for reference purposes. Additionally, if applicable, please download the newest Electronic Claim Template (ECT) which includes the list modifications, for use in all new submittals.
Please note that following ships have been removed from the Western Ships Built List:
- Catawba Ford 1944
- Lena Luckenbach 1943
- Vantage Progess
Office Closed
Posted 08/25/2006:
The offices of the Western Asbestos Settlement Trust will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2006 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
The Vessel Lurline
Posted 07/05/2006:
Please note: The Trust is currently researching a major conversation to the vessel named Lurline, which upon confirmation will allow this ship to remain on the Western Ships Built List. Valid Western exposure will be allowed from that new start date forward.
Western Ships Built List Notification
The Trust, as a part of the ongoing process of refining the approved Western Ship and Site lists, have determined that some ships currently listed on the Western Ships Built List appear not to have been built by Western. As a result of new information, and pursuant to Section VII, b. of the Matrix, the Trust will be making a recommendation to the TAC and Futures Representative for the removal of these ships. Please be advised the following is a partial list of ships which the Trust will recommend be removed from the list.
SHIP NAME SHIPYARD
———————- ————————————-
CATAWBA FORD 1944 Sun SB & DD Co., Chester, PA
LURLINE Bethlehem Steel, Quincy MA
OREGON MAIL 1964 National Steel & SB Co., San Diego CA
PENN CHALLENGER 1959 Bethlehem Steel, PA
PRESIDENT KENNEDY 1964 National Steel & SB Co., San Diego CA
Amendment to Case Valuation Matrix
Posted 06/13/2006:
An amendment to Section VII c of the Case Valuation Matrix has been approved in principle, subject to final approval of the specific language. The amendment includes: 1) the method by which minimum exposure periods may be calculated (calendar months, calendar days, work days, or work hours); 2) pro-rata awards for certain exposure periods less than the minimum period; 3) blended exposure rates; and 4) allocation of exposure time at multiple sites.
Updates to site and ship lists
Posted 05/31/2006:
Revisions to the Western Ships Built, Western Ships Repaired, California On Land Site List, and Minnesota On Land Site List were approved at the Trustee meeting in April 2006. These lists have been updated and are available in the Claim Packet. Please review these lists, which now include a modification column for reference purposes and if applicable, download the newest Electronic Claim Template (ECT) for use in all new submittals.
Incorrect address and phone number on WAST checks
Posted 05/02/2006:
Due to an error on the part of the company that prints our checks, checks currently being sent by the Trust list an incorrect address and telephone number. Please do not use this as contact information.
Payment Percentage Increase and 2006 Inflation Adjustment
Posted 04/14/2006:
The payment percentage has been increased to 34.2% of the total liquidated claim value and an inflation adjustment of 3.4% will be applied to claim payments made in 2006. Necessary updates to the Trust’s claims processing system and payment procedures have been completed and claims are now being paid in accordance with these changes. Each claim paid prior to April 1, 2006 is eligible to receive 2.7% of the total liquidated claim value, plus the inflation adjustment on the amount paid in 2006.
Consideration of New Exposure Policy
Posted 03/22/2006:
The Trust’s policy has been to calculate the exposure rating multiplier for claims submitted to the Trust (for which multiple sites are required to meet the minimum exposure time for the claimed disease) by using the lowest multiplier rated site. For example, if a claimant with mesothelioma has 2 months of exposure at a site with an exposure rating of high (1.5) and 1 month of exposure at a site with an exposure rating of low (0.5), the multiplier value utilized for valuing the claim would be 0.5 (low).
Currently, the Trust is considering adopting a policy that would utilize a “blended” exposure rating process for future claims submitted. If approved, the blended exposure calculation would give proportional weight to all Western sites based upon amount of time and individual site rating. In the example listed above, the exposure multiplier would be calculated as follows:
0.667 (2 months) * 1.5 (high) = 1.0
0.333 (1 month) * 0.5 (low) = 0.17
1.0 + 0.17 = 1.17 (blended exposure multiplier value)
If this new policy for blended exposure is approved at the April 20, 2006 Trustees’ meeting, the policy will be implemented as to future claims only. The current requirements of clear evidence of dates of exposure and traditional occupations will remain the same.
2006 Holiday Closure List:
Posted 01/10/2006:
| President’s Day | Monday, February 20, 2006 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 29, 2006 |
| Independence Day | Tuesday, July 4, 2006 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 4, 2006 |
| Nevada Day | Friday, October 27, 2006 |
| Veteran’s Day | Friday, November 10, 2006 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 23, 2006 |
| Family Day | Friday, November 24, 2006 |
| Christmas Day | Monday, December 25, 2006 |
| New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1, 2007 |