Power Plant
Asbestos Exposure Lawyer
Widespread asbestos use in power plants’ high-heat components, including insulation, turbines, and boilers, has exposed countless power plant workers in Oregon and Washington to the mineral’s harmful fibers. Thus, many have been diagnosed with serious asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Chandler H. Udo, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: June 10, 2025
If you or a loved one has developed an illness from asbestos exposure in a power plant, Bergman Oslund Udo Little can help you seek compensation.
- Power plants in the Pacific Northwest have a long history of asbestos use, which has put many workers at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.
- If you or a loved one was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after working in a power plant, you may be eligible for compensation through a lawsuit or an asbestos trust fund claim.
- We’ve recovered over $1 billion for asbestos exposure victims and their families in the Pacific Northwest, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.
Asbestos Exposure in Power Plants
Due to its fireproofing and insulation properties, asbestos was extensively used in high-heat industrial settings such as power plants. This toxic mineral was used to insulate boilers, turbines, pipes, gaskets, and other power plant equipment throughout the 20th century. Power plant workers also wore protective gear made with asbestos fibers.
While industrial asbestos use declined sharply in the 1980s, power plant workers had already been exposed to the material for decades. These workers continue to face asbestos-related health risks. Modern power plant workers may also encounter asbestos in older buildings and equipment, particularly during maintenance and repair work.
High-Risk Jobs at Power Plants
Anyone who worked in a power plant during the peak of asbestos use is at risk of developing an exposure-related illness. High-risk occupations include the following:
- Pipefitters: Workers who install, assemble, repair, and maintain the pipes used in power plants may be exposed to asbestos.
- Electricians: Electricians are at risk for exposure while working on electrical components around power plants.
- Boiler operators: These workers operate and maintain the boilers that produce steam for power generation.
- Welders: Power plants often employ welders to join metal parts for the plant’s structures, such as boilers and pipelines.
- Maintenance technicians: Maintenance technicians are responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment, including boilers, turbines, and generators. Thus, they have been exposed to asbestos in insulation and components.
Asbestos Exposure in Washington and Oregon Power Plants
The Pacific Northwest is an energy industry hub, with Washington State serving as the nation’s largest hydroelectric power producer. Wind, nuclear, solar, natural gas, coal, and geothermal power plants are also scattered across the region. The area’s prominence in the power production industry has created many job opportunities for locals, but at the cost of exposing workers to dangerous asbestos levels.
Our firm is based in the Pacific Northwest and has handled countless asbestos cases in the region. We’ve represented many victims of power plant asbestos exposure in Washington. Our attorneys can also help if you’ve experienced asbestos exposure working in Oregon’s energy sector.
Known Contaminated Power Plant Sites in the Pacific Northwest
Workers have been exposed to asbestos in both private and government-operated power plants throughout Washington and Oregon, including the following sites:
Areas We Serve
As the Pacific Northwest’s premier mesothelioma law firm, we serve asbestos exposure victims and their families in Oregon and Washington. We can help if you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related disease in these cities or surrounding areas:
Health Risks of Power Plant Asbestos Exposure
When asbestos-containing materials break down, the mineral’s tiny fibers can become airborne and inhaled or ingested by those in the area. The human body is incapable of breaking down these fibers. They can become lodged in the tissue surrounding organs such as the lungs or abdomen, leading to harmful inflammation that can cause cellular damage over time. This damage may result in illnesses such as:
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen
- Asbestosis, a scarring of the lung tissue
- Pleural plaques, or thickening of the membranes surrounding the lungs
The more time someone spends around asbestos, the higher their risk of developing one or more of these diseases. Workers who spent large portions of their careers in power plants are at an especially high risk.
Power plant workers’ family members can also develop asbestos-related illnesses. Known as secondary exposure, this occurs when workers bring home asbestos fibers on their clothing, hair, or skin.
Mesothelioma Among Power Plant Workers
Mesothelioma is the deadliest asbestos-related illness, with only 10 percent of patients surviving after five years of diagnosis. This cancer is rare in the general public, and it’s almost always related to occupational asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma has a long latency period, which is the time between asbestos exposure and symptom onset. The cancer typically takes 20 to 60 years to develop after a person’s first exposure to asbestos. This means power plant workers who were exposed to asbestos decades ago are only now developing symptoms.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Power Plant Workers
Legal options for asbestos-exposed workers vary depending on the state and type of claim. The primary option is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your exposure. A mesothelioma lawsuit for power plant exposure allows you to seek compensation for your damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
There is a time limit for filing an asbestos claim. Oregon’s statute of limitations is two years for personal injury claims and three years for wrongful death claims. Washington’s filing deadline is three years for both case types. The timer typically starts from the date of diagnosis or death.
Trust Funds and Settlements
Many asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy to shield themselves from the increasing number of mesothelioma lawsuits against them. Courts have ordered these companies to establish trust funds so victims could receive compensation despite the companies’ bankruptcies.
If the company responsible for your asbestos exposure has filed for bankruptcy protection, filing a trust fund claim may be your only option for compensation. Getting a settlement from an asbestos trust fund is often easier than going to court, and the payout timeline is also usually shorter.
Why Choose Bergman Legal for Your Asbestos Case
Our law firm has fought to protect the interests of families in the Pacific Northwest affected by asbestos-related diseases since 1995. When you choose us to represent you, we’ll take the time to get to know you and understand how your illness has impacted your life. We’ll then dedicate our resources to conveying your story with powerful evidence and testimony.
We’ve recovered over $1 billion for asbestos exposure victims and their loved ones. That includes numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, such as a recent $30 million jury verdict for the family of a mesothelioma victim. It also includes a $1.1 million verdict for a woman who developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure to asbestos through her husband’s work clothes.
Meet Our Legal Team
Our lead attorneys include Vanessa J. Firnhaber Oslund, who has been fighting for asbestos victims for over a decade, and Chandler Udo, who has successfully tried numerous asbestos cases in both state and federal courts. Joining them is Brendan Little, who has spent his entire career representing people harmed by corporate wrongdoing.
If you or a loved one has been sickened by asbestos exposure in power plants in Washington or Oregon, speak with an attorney to learn about your compensation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions we have received from power plant asbestos exposure victims and their families.
Can I Sue if I Was Exposed to Asbestos at a Power Plant in Washington or Oregon?
You may seek compensation if you were exposed to asbestos at a power plant and developed an asbestos-related illness.
How Long Does It Take To Develop Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure?
Mesothelioma may develop 10 to 60 years after a worker’s first asbestos exposure.
What Power Plant Jobs Are Most at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
Power plant workers with the highest risk of asbestos exposure include boiler technicians, pipefitters, welders, electricians, and maintenance workers.
What Are My Legal Options if My Loved One Died From Asbestos-Related Illness?
You may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a family member to an asbestos-related illness. Your wrongful death compensation may include damages such as funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
How Long Do I Have To File an Asbestos Claim in Washington or Oregon?
In Washington, you have three years from the date of diagnosis or death to file a claim. In Oregon, you have two years from the date of diagnosis or three years from the date of death to file an asbestos claim.
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