Washington Asbestos Exposure Lawyer
Asbestos is a toxic substance that can cause mesothelioma and other deadly diseases when inhaled or ingested. Our skilled Washington mesothelioma lawyers have been getting justice for asbestos exposure victims for over 30 years. If you or your loved one has developed mesothelioma, contact us today for a free consultation.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: April 30, 2025
- Our Washington asbestos law firm is the Pacific Northwest’s premier asbestos exposure law firm, with over 30 years of experience.
- You may be entitled to recover substantial compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit, trust fund claim, VA claim, or workers’ compensation claim.
- Damages in a mesothelioma claim may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of society, or wrongful death damages if your loved one has died from an asbestos-related illness.
- We have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for asbestos exposure victims and their families, and we are prepared to fight just as hard for you.
Asbestos Exposure Attorneys Serving the State of Washington
Our Washington asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers are proud to serve all of Washington, including the following cities and surrounding areas:
- Bellingham
- Bremerton
- Centralia
- Everett
- Kelso
- Longview
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Wenatchee
Our Asbestos Lawyers in Washington
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Get Help with Your Mesothelioma Compensation Options
Why Choose BOUL?
As the Pacific Northwest’s premier mesothelioma law firm, we know asbestos exposure litigation in Washington better than anyone. We have recovered over $1 billion in compensation and helped shape Washington asbestos exposure case law. Most of our attorneys are Washington natives who attended law school here. We know the lawyers, judges, adjusters, and doctors in every county in Washington, allowing us to recover your compensation as quickly as possible.
We understand the toll a mesothelioma diagnosis takes on a family. We will guide you through the legal process with patience and compassion. You will work closely with a small team that will take the time to understand the impact of your diagnosis and build a personalized strategy.
Our compassion extends beyond the walls of our offices. We are committed to supporting our community, charities, and nonprofit organizations focused on ending mesothelioma and supporting those diagnosed with it. We support such organizations as the following:
- Miles for Meso – A charity walk for The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
- The Swedish Foundation Thoracic Program – A mesothelioma research foundation
- The Michael & Carrie Woeck Foundation – A charity founded by former clients that supports the Seattle Care Alliance’s Family Assistance Fund
Millions Recovered for Washington Asbestos Exposure Victims
Our $1 billion+ in case results include numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, such as the following:
- $11.2 million for a laborer at Zidell Dismantling in the Port Industrial Yard of Tacoma exposed to asbestos-containing insulation removed during the dismantling of former Navy ships
- Over $11 million in settlements for a career boilermaker with asbestos exposures at many industrial sites in Washington, including Longview Fibre and Weyerhaeuser
- $10 million for a boiler mechanic who was exposed to asbestos while working at the Centralia Steam Plant
- $8.3 million for an electrician diagnosed with mesothelioma after serving in the United States Navy and at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton
- $6.3 million for a worker at the Atlas Foundry in Tacoma, Washington, exposed to asbestos-containing insulation materials used in metal molds and talc products
- $5.75 million verdict for a now-deceased man exposed to asbestos while working as an auto mechanic at United Volkswagen in Spokane.
- $5.6 million for a painter’s helper diagnosed with mesothelioma after working onboard the USS Ranger at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from 1975 to 1976
- $5 million for a mesothelioma victim exposed to asbestos while working onboard ships at Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton
- $4.6 million for an electrician who worked at the St. Regis Paper Mill in Tacoma
- $3 million for a pipefitter diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton
- $2.8 million for a mesothelioma victim exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, and insulation as a boiler operator while serving in the U.S. Navy from 1976 to 1977 and at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
- Over $2.6 million in settlements for a mesothelioma victim in Castle Rock with asbestos exposure at Longview Fibre, Weyerhaeuser Longview, and Kalama Chemical as a union pipefitter and insulator.
- $2.5 million in settlements for an 89-year-old Longview mesothelioma victim with asbestos exposure as an electrician at Weyerhaeuser’s Longview Pulp and Paper Mill
- $2.3 million in settlements for the widower of a 57-year-old Woodland woman who developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure as a child through the work clothes her father wore home from his job as a laborer at Weyerhaeuser Longview.
- $1.4 million for an insulator diagnosed with mesothelioma after working onboard numerous ships at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and various other shipyards from 1945 to 1967
What Compensation Is Available for Washington Asbestos Exposure Victims?
We often find that our clients were exposed to asbestos through multiple sources, resulting in multiple avenues of compensation.
Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits
You may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos exposure lawsuit against the manufacturers and suppliers responsible for the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to. Compensation may include the following:
- Economic damages – compensate for monetary losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages
- Non-economic damages – cover the more subjective impacts on the victim’s life, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of society
If your loved one dies before the lawsuit resolves, we can help you continue the claim through a survival action to recover damages your loved one could have recovered. You may also be able to recover economic and non-economic damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death damages may include the following:
- Loss of financial support
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of love and affection
- Loss of parental guidance
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many manufacturers and suppliers responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy protection in the face of the large number of mesothelioma claims against them. Bankrupt companies are exempt from lawsuits. However, they must establish asbestos trust funds. When we investigate your case, we can determine whether you are eligible and file your trust fund claim on your behalf.
VA Claims
If you were exposed to asbestos in the military and developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may qualify for VA benefits. Benefits may include free medical care, monthly disability compensation, a monthly disability pension, and more. We can help you file your VA claim or appeal if your claim has been denied.
Workers Compensation
Workers’ compensation is available in rare cases when you contract mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness. Since mesothelioma develops decades after exposure, you may have already retired by the time the disease develops. Workers’ compensation is meant to help you return to work and replace your lost wages until you do. If you retired before the disease developed, you would not be eligible for workers’ comp.
However, if you were still working and were forced to retire because of mesothelioma symptoms, you may qualify for a workers’ compensation settlement. Our knowledgeable Washington asbestos exposure attorneys can determine whether you qualify and file your claim if you do.
Asbestos Exposure in Washington
Most people exposed to asbestos in Washington were exposed on the job while handling asbestos products. Although asbestos is no longer used in building systems today, older buildings and products may contain asbestos. Workers may still experience occupational asbestos exposure when removing, demolishing, cutting, drilling, puncturing, or wearing down products that contain asbestos.
Asbestos exposure is not limited to the workplace. Workers exposed to asbestos can carry the fibers home and expose family members. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure. You can also be exposed to asbestos in older homes, schools, public buildings, and other locations. Some consumer goods also contained asbestos.
Asbestos was commonly used in the following products until the late 1970s and, in some cases, until 1990:
- Wall and pipe insulation
- Ductwork
- Cement water pipes
- Engines
- Automotive brakes and clutches
- Gaskets
- Electrical wiring
- Drywall
- Plaster
- Roofing materials
- Floor tiles
- Vinyl siding
- Boilers
- Adhesives
Washington Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Workers in the following occupations had the highest risk of asbestos exposure in Washington:
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- HVAC workers
- Insulators
- Metal workers
- Pipefitters
- Railroad workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Paper mill workers
- Power plant workers
- United States Military Veterans
Some workers may still be exposed to asbestos today when working in older buildings or using old equipment. Firefighters and rescue workers may experience heavy exposure in burning or destroyed buildings.
Washington Asbestos Exposure Sites
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton: Widely used asbestos in shipbuilding during the 20th century for its insulating and fireproofing properties. Workers had heightened exposure, increasing their risk of asbestos-related illnesses.
- Todd Shipyards, Seattle: Employed asbestos for its heat-resistant qualities in marine equipment, building materials, and more. Several former employees have sought compensation for mesothelioma.
- Centralia Power Plant: Asbestos was used for thermal insulation. While removal efforts occurred between 1985 and 2000, exposure risk remained, especially for workers pre-1985.
- Hanford Site: Established in 1943 for nuclear weapon production, the Hanford Nuclear Site used asbestos-containing items extensively. Decades later, asbestos was found in various locations, exposing many workers.
- Skagit Oil Refineries: Brought jobs to Skagit County in the 1950s and exposed workers to asbestos in refinery parts, equipment, and building materials.
- Cowlitz County Paper Mills: Relied on asbestos in machinery for fireproofing and durability up to the 1980s.
- Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill, Camas: Used asbestos extensively in equipment and insulation, exposing workers to the carcinogen.
- St. Regis Pulp & Paper Mill: Incorporated asbestos in paper production due to its fire-retardant properties. Workers who maintained the asbestos-insulated systems faced regular exposure.
- ALCOA Aluminum Smelter, Wenatchee: A significant asbestos job site in the early 20th century, it used asbestos in building materials, machinery, and protective clothing. Despite knowledge of asbestos dangers, its use persisted for decades.
- Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill, Longview: Like other mills, it used asbestos for insulation during pulping and boiling processes. Workers often interacted directly with asbestos, and the mill’s construction materials were often asbestos-containing.
Our Washington Asbestos Attorneys Can Help
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our experienced Washington asbestos lawyers can help you recover substantial compensation. We have a track record of the highest settlements and verdicts in Washington. Call (206) 957-9510 today to speak with a Washington asbestos lawyer for free or fill out our contact form.
Washington Asbestos Exposure FAQs
Can You Sue for Asbestos Exposure Without a Diagnosis?
No, you cannot sue for asbestos exposure without a diagnosis. The cornerstone of any personal injury claim is proving you suffered harm because of someone else’s wrongdoing. Not everyone exposed to asbestos develops an asbestos-related disease.
How Long Do I Have to File an Asbestos Exposure Claim in Washington?
Under Washington’s mesothelioma statute of limitations, you generally must file your asbestos exposure claim within three years of your diagnosis or the date of a loved one’s death from mesothelioma. However, it is crucial to contact an attorney right away. Mesothelioma cases require substantial investigation and preparation. Your attorney will need as much time as possible to build a strong case.
How Much Is My Asbestos Exposure Claim Worth?
Your asbestos exposure case could be worth a few thousand to millions, depending on what asbestos-related disease you developed, the types of claims you can file, the severity of your disease, your age at diagnosis, the skill of your attorney, and other case-specific factors.
How Is Asbestos Exposure Proven?
To prevail in an asbestos exposure claim, you must be diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and have a proven history of asbestos exposure. You usually need medical records, expert witness testimony, and employment records that prove your asbestos exposure history. If you were exposed at home, you may need building records or other photographic evidence. We can identify all sources of asbestos exposure and gather the evidence for you.
How Long Do Asbestos Exposure Claims Take?
It can take several months to years to resolve an asbestos exposure claim, depending on the complexity of your case, the willingness of the defendants to settle, and the types of claims you file. We understand how important it is to recover compensation quickly in a mesothelioma case. Our familiarity with the Washington court system and local roots help us get through the process as quickly as possible, but it can still take substantial time to resolve a mesothelioma claim.
How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and there is no way to predict who will or will not develop mesothelioma. Most people who get mesothelioma experience heavy daily exposure for an extended period. However, we have seen cases where short-term light exposure resulted in mesothelioma.
When Was Asbestos Banned in Washington?
In March 2024, the EPA announced a ban on ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form still used in the United States. However, the ban allows companies to phase out asbestos until 2037. Combined with the EPA’s previous restrictions on asbestos, the result will be that nearly all asbestos use will be illegal in the United States in the future. However, this asbestos ban is not total, and the risk of asbestos exposure in existing products will remain for decades to come.
Speak to a Mesothelioma Attorney Today
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
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Portland, OR 97204
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