01. Washington Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Washington
Patients with asbestos-related illnesses may be eligible to file for compensation in Washington. Family members of deceased patients may also be eligible. Mesothelioma law firms can explain filing options and how state laws may impact cases.
The following law firms can help people living in Washington pursue compensation:
Asbestos lawyers can assist with all aspects of the filing process, including investigating cases and gathering needed documentation. Once filed, these lawyers can handle all aspects of the litigation process, from negotiating settlements to arguing cases at trial.
Specialized mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers have brought successful lawsuits against asbestos companies to secure compensation for asbestos victims.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Washington
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Washington
Washington workers and residents have developed diseases from asbestos exposure in the state. People with these diseases may be able to file mesothelioma lawsuits.
Between 1999 and 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows 1,960 individuals were diagnosed with mesothelioma in Washington. Over the same period, around 1,717 Washingtonians passed away from the disease. Washington had the fourth highest mesothelioma mortality rate in the country.
Mesothelioma patients in Washington may have experienced asbestos exposure at work, at home and in public buildings.
Mesothelioma lawyers experienced in Washington law can help negotiate asbestos-related settlements.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Washington?
Washington asbestos exposure victims may be eligible for compensation if they developed asbestos-related diseases. Patients can file personal injury lawsuits to pursue compensation. Spouses and other family members may also be able to file wrongful death lawsuits.
Washington workers were exposed to asbestos at jobsites in various industries. Sources of workplace asbestos exposure in Washington include metal plants, mines and shipyards.
- Aluminum plants: Alcoa was aware of the dangers of asbestos at its Wenatchee, Washington, aluminum plant as early as the 1950s. Many aluminum workers may have been exposed to asbestos at this plant, including welders, smelters and insulators.
- Mineral mines: Washington has many natural asbestos deposits and processing sites. Asbestos was actively mined in Lyman and near Alta Lake. Mine workers at these operations in Washington faced exposure. Both sites contained amphibole asbestos fibers.
- Shipyards: The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton was one of the most notable Washington shipyards that used asbestos. Researchers found pipe coverers and insulators who worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard had elevated rates of pulmonary abnormalities. Other shipyards in the state may have also been a source for asbestos exposure, including Lockheed Shipbuilding and Todd Pacific Shipyards Inc.
Residents from these Washington towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Arlington, WA
- Auburn, WA
- Battle Ground, WA
- Bellingham, WA
- Bremerton, WA
- Burlington, WA
- Colville, WA
- Custer, WA
- East Puyallup, WA
- East Wenatchee, WA
- Everett, WA
- Gig Harbor, WA
- Graham, WA
- Hoquiam, WA
- Kelso, WA
- Kennewick, WA
- Kettle Falls, WA
- Lacey, WA
- Lake Steven, WA
- Lake Tapps, WA
- Lakewood, WA
- Leavenworth, WA
- Long Beach, WA
- Marysville, WA
- Milton, WA
- Mineral, WA
- Mossyrock, WA
- Newport, WA
- Oak Harbor, WA
- Pasco, WA
- Port Angeles, WA
- Port Hadlock, WA
- Port Orchard, WA
- Puyallup, WA
- Quincy, WA
- Redmond, WA
- Seattle, WA
- Sequim, WA
- Shelton, WA
- Shoreline, WA
- South Colby, WA
- Spanaway, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Tacoma, WA
- Tulalip, WA
- Underwood, WA
- Union, WA
- Vancouver, WA
- Walla Walla, WA
- Westport, WA
- Yelm, WA
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Washington
Asbestos attorneys understand Washington laws impacting asbestos litigation, like the statutes of limitations. The statutes of limitations specify lawsuit filing windows. Each state has its own statutes for different types of lawsuits. Mesothelioma lawyers can explain these timelines to patients and help navigate them.
Patients may also be able to seek additional compensation from other sources, including asbestos trust funds. These funds are set up by bankrupt asbestos companies to provide asbestos claim awards to current and future claimants. This helps guarantee compensation for victims even if a company is no longer active.
Filing VA Claims in Washington
As of 2021, Washington was home to more than 490,000 veterans. It also has several bases for different military branches, including the Air Force, Army and Navy. The military used significant amounts of asbestos throughout most of the 20th century. Some asbestos may still be present on bases and in military equipment. As a result, veterans have a high risk of asbestos exposure and related diseases.
In addition to lawsuits, veterans have other avenues for accessing the compensation they deserve. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits for veterans with mesothelioma. VA benefits include medical care and financial assistance. Mesothelioma lawyers can help veterans secure these benefits.
03. Washington Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Washington
Many mesothelioma patients in Washington have filed successful lawsuits against asbestos companies and other responsible parties.
Successful victims can use their compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages and lost earning potential. Compensation may come from mesothelioma lawsuit verdicts or settlement agreements.
Listed below are some notable mesothelioma settlements in Washington for asbestos victims:
- $102.2 million for a 66-year-old construction worker and home mechanic (NAPA products)
- $5.5 million for a 57-year-old shipyard worker (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard)
- $4.9 million for a 64-year-old Army veteran and carpenter
- $4.8 million for a 72-year-old Merchant Marine veteran and home mechanic
- $4.4 million for a 60-year-old Coast Guard veteran and shipyard worker
- $3.5 million for an 81-year-old oil refinery worker
- $3.5 million for a 55-year-old Army veteran and shipyard worker
- $3 million for an 88-year-old laborer with talc exposure (Avon products)
- $2.5 million for an 81-year-old Navy veteran (Naval Base San Diego)
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Washington
Mesothelioma lawsuits have been successfully decided in favor of Washington asbestos victims. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help ensure the best outcomes and awards. Recent successful verdicts for Washington mesothelioma patients include:
- In 2023, a Washington court upheld a jury award of $16.67 million given to the estate and spouse of a deceased paper mill worker. The patient had worked around asbestos products at a mill in Camas, Washington, for 37 years. He was often exposed to Scapa Waycross asbestos products, which the jury found contributed to his mesothelioma diagnosis and death.
- In 2022, a Washington court upheld a 2020 verdict against Kaiser Gypsum Company. The jury had awarded $13.43 million to a man exposed to the company’s asbestos joint compound, which contributed to his mesothelioma.
- In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld a 2017 wrongful death lawsuit verdict against Genuine Parts Company and National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). The jury had awarded $81.5 million to the family and estate of an auto mechanic who died from peritoneal mesothelioma. After interest, the award amount grew to $95 million. The mechanic worked with asbestos-containing brake pads and other auto parts for decades.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Washington mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Washington
Washington Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Washington agencies have enacted asbestos regulations for asbestos handling and workplace safety. These regulations are overseen and administered by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Washington regulations related to asbestos exposure and handling include:
- Washington Administrative Code: Various subsections of this code cover employers’ responsibility to notify workers of asbestos risks, workplace exposure limits, requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), air quality monitoring, asbestos project notifications and training and certification for asbestos workers.
- Washington State Asbestos Act: Regulations included in this law cover everything from asbestos use standards and containers for proper disposal of asbestos products to penalties for violating asbestos rules.
Experienced attorneys stay up to date on evolving legislation and precedent.
Washington Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Washington has other laws that may affect asbestos litigation.
For example, Washington cases have set precedent for how courts handle cases involving secondhand exposure. A 2007 court decision ruled that employers have a duty to prevent foreseeable injuries arising from unsafe actions, including secondary exposure. A 2013 decision helped define the meaning of “foreseeable injuries” in these cases. The decision held that employers would not be liable for secondary exposure if it occurred before knowledge of the dangers of take-home asbestos exposure was widespread.
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers understand the ins and outs of these and other Washington laws. They can explain what options clients have and help determine the best approach for their case.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
