Oregon Asbestos Exposure Lawyer
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you were almost certainly exposed to asbestos during your lifetime. Our nationally recognized Oregon asbestos exposure lawyers have over 30 years of experience recovering substantial compensation for asbestos exposure victims and their families. Call our Oregon asbestos exposure law firm today at (503) 447-6230 for a free case review.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: May 2, 2025
- You may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos exposure lawsuit, trust fund claim, or VA claim if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
- Compensation for asbestos exposure may include medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
- Our compassionate Oregon asbestos exposure attorneys have over 30 years of experience and have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for asbestos exposure victims.
Asbestos Exposure Attorneys Serving the State of Oregon
You will never need to travel to meet with our Oregon mesothelioma attorneys. We serve all of Oregon, and our attorneys will make the trip to you during this difficult time. We serve the following cities and surrounding areas:
- Beaverton
- Bend
- Corvallis
- Eugene
- Medford
- Salem
- Tigard
Meet Our Oregon Asbestos Lawyers
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Why Choose Bergman Oslund Udo Little?
Our Oregon asbestos exposure law firm is the Pacific Northwest’s Premier mesothelioma law firm. We are passionate about holding corporations responsible for putting profits over people. We have recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, including the largest asbestos verdict in Oregon history. We provide zealous courtroom advocacy and compassionate support.
We understand the toll a mesothelioma diagnosis can take on a family and will guide you and your loved ones through the legal process with patience and compassion. You will work closely with a small team in our firm that will treat you with mutual trust, respect, and compassion. We take the time to understand the impact of your diagnosis and build a personalized strategy to get you the compensation you deserve.
Millions Recovered for Oregon Asbestos Exposure Victims
We are dedicated to fighting for the maximum compensation available for every client. Below are just a few examples of the outstanding case results we have achieved:
- $30 million jury verdict over the wrongful death of a long-time Oregon resident who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to crocidolite asbestos fibers while working for Ameron International Corporation—the largest verdict in Oregon state history
- $11.2 million secured for a 75-year-old former Oregon shipyard worker
- $10 million awarded to a 79-year-old mesothelioma patient and his wife, who was exposed to asbestos from her husband’s work clothes in Oregon
- $8.3 million secured for a 79-year-old former Navy electrician and shipyard worker in Oregon
- $6.8 million secured for an Oregon woman with secondhand exposure to asbestos products from her father’s work clothes
What Compensation Is Available to Oregon Asbestos Exposure Victims?
When you work with our Oregon mesothelioma law firm, our knowledgeable asbestos exposure attorneys will conduct a detailed investigation to identify every company responsible for your asbestos exposure. We often find multiple responsible parties and recover compensation from multiple sources.
Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits
You may recover the following economic and non-economic damages through an asbestos exposure lawsuit:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Housekeeping costs
- Transportation to the doctor
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of bodily functions
- Loss of society
If your loved one died of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for the loss of their lifelong income, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of parental guidance.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
You may be eligible for compensation from the asbestos trust funds if the liable company responsible is bankrupt. An asbestos trust fund claim provides compensation more quickly than a lawsuit because you or your attorney can file a claim directly with the fund. Trust fund claims are also available to families of mesothelioma victims who have died.
VA Claims
If you developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related condition after serving in the military, you may have been exposed while you were on active duty. We can investigate your service history and determine whether you were exposed. VA benefits for mesothelioma include free medical care, VA disability compensation, and VA pensions. Death benefits are also available if your loved one has died from service-connected mesothelioma.
Asbestos Exposure in Oregon
Most cases of mesothelioma that develop today are the result of occupational asbestos exposure that occurred 10, 20, or even 60 years ago. Many companies used asbestos liberally until the 1980s. Sometimes, exposed workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, causing their family members to experience secondary asbestos exposure.
Houses and schools built before 1990 also contained asbestos. Additionally, it was used to manufacture consumer goods, such as curtains, clothing irons, hair dryers, and artificial snow. Asbestos was so commonly used in products that most people have experienced exposure to it at some point.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when the materials containing it become worn or damaged through drilling, puncturing, or demolition. If you have a diagnosis related to asbestos exposure, you may have been exposed to the following asbestos products:
- Building insulation
- Pipe insulation
- Cement water pipes
- Boiler insulation
- HVAC ductwork
- Drywall
- Joint compound
- Plaster
- Popcorn ceilings
- Roofing shingles and underlayment
- Floor tiles and underlayment
- Adhesives
- Electrical wiring
- Gaskets in engines
- Automotive brakes and clutches
- Paint
- Industrial or cosmetic talc
Workers with the highest risk of asbestos exposure in Oregon include the following:
- Contractors and construction workers
- Electricians
- HVAC workers
- Insulators
- Metal workers
- Pipefitters
- Railroad workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Paper mill workers
- Power plant workers
- Veterans of the United States Armed Forces
- School teachers
- Firefighters
- First responders
- Maintenance workers
- Millwrights
Oregon Asbestos Exposure Sites
Oregon workers experienced significant asbestos exposure on numerous job sites in the state, including the following:
- Swan Island Shipyard, Portland: A significant West Coast shipbuilding center, where asbestos use during WWII potentially exposed many workers
- Zidell Marine Corporation, Portland: A shipbuilding and dismantling facility where asbestos components in ships put workers at risk
- Willamette Industries: Paper and forest products manufacturer that used asbestos in machinery, risking worker exposure
- Boise Cascade Paper Mill: A paper and wood products manufacturer where machinery maintenance posed asbestos exposure risks
- Georgia-Pacific Paper Mill: A leading paper company that used asbestos in equipment, posing risks during repairs
- Portland General Electric: An electric utility company where asbestos insulation in facilities exposed workers
- Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, Rainier: Oregon’s only commercial nuclear plant with asbestos use, particularly around maintenance tasks
- BP (formerly ARCO) Refinery in Portland: Oil refinery where asbestos materials heightened exposure risks for workers near equipment.
- Rhone-Poulenc Chemicals, Portland: A chemical plant that used asbestos, putting production and maintenance workers at risk
- Oregon Steel Mills, Portland: Steel facility where asbestos insulation exposed workers near high-temperature operations
- Umatilla Army Depot: Military site with asbestos in construction and vehicles, posing risks to military and civilian personnel
- Union Pacific Railroad: Railroad company with asbestos in trains, especially in repair and maintenance
- Southern Pacific Railroad: Another major railroad using asbestos in train components, risking worker exposure
Our Oregon Asbestos Attorneys Can Help
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our Oregon asbestos exposure lawyers can help you get justice and recover substantial compensation. We have fought for clients since 1995 and have recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. Contact us online today or call (503) 447-6230 to learn about your mesothelioma compensation options.
Oregon Asbestos Exposure FAQs
Can You Sue for Asbestos Exposure Without a Diagnosis?
You cannot sue for asbestos exposure without a diagnosis. You must prove that you were exposed to asbestos and suffered harm from that exposure. Not everyone exposed to asbestos develops an illness. The damages awarded in a lawsuit depend on the nature and extent of the harm you have suffered.
How Long Do I Have to File an Asbestos Exposure Claim in Oregon?
In most cases, you must file your asbestos exposure lawsuit within two years of your diagnosis to comply with the Oregon mesothelioma statute of limitations. If a loved one has died from mesothelioma, their personal representative generally must file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family within three years of the death. If you miss these deadlines, you will likely lose out on the ability to recover compensation. However, there is no deadline for VA claims.
Don’t wait to contact our attorneys. It takes time to investigate and build a strong mesothelioma case. Once your case is filed, the defendants will have access to your evidence, so your attorney must gather evidence and prepare your case before filing. We can build a case quickly if necessary, but it is best to contact our attorneys promptly after your diagnosis.
How Much Is My Asbestos Exposure Claim Worth?
Your asbestos exposure claim may be worth several thousand to several millions of dollars. The only way to confirm how much you could recover is to consult a knowledgeable asbestos exposure law firm such as Bergman Oslund Udo Little.
How Is Asbestos Exposure Proven?
To prove an asbestos exposure claim, you must present evidence that you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and that the defendant is responsible for your asbestos exposure. You will need the following evidence at a minimum:
- Medical records
- Employment records
- Expert witness statements
- Statements by friends and family members about the impact of your diagnosis
How Long Do Asbestos Exposure Claims Take?
Asbestos exposure cases can be complex because the defendants are often wealthy companies that fight claims. Consequently, the timeline for a mesothelioma case may be several months or years. Our attorneys are dedicated to recovering your compensation as quickly as possible through aggressive settlement negotiations, strong evidence, and thorough trial preparation.
How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?
Most people who develop mesothelioma worked in jobs that involved daily heavy asbestos exposure over many years. However, we have had clients who developed mesothelioma after low levels of asbestos exposure. While the risk of mesothelioma seems to rise with increased exposure, there is no safe level of asbestos.
When Was Asbestos Banned in Oregon?
Asbestos has not been entirely banned in the United States or Oregon. However, in March 2024, the EPA banned ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form still in use. This asbestos ban essentially ends asbestos use in the United States, but it allows some companies to phase it out slowly. Even if asbestos is ever banned, legacy asbestos in older buildings will threaten workers and families with asbestos exposure for the foreseeable future.
Speak to a Mesothelioma Attorney Today
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97204
503-447-6230
