Why would I have to sue if there’s an asbestos trust fund set up?

To access an asbestos trust fund, you must still file a claim with that trust. This is different from a lawsuit, although you will still have to prove that the company was responsible for your exposure to asbestos and your resulting illness. There may also be multiple defendants, or liable parties, and they may not all have a trust fund set up. Even though you file a claim with a trust fund, you may still have to file a lawsuit against other liable parties.