Washington Mesothelioma Lawyers

In the 20th century, Washington shipyards and other job sites heavily relied on asbestos, which put workers at risk of mesothelioma and other deadly asbestos-related diseases. Today, Washington mesothelioma lawyers can help asbestos victims receive compensation and justice.

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Our Washington mesothelioma attorneys have helped victims near you

Represented victims in:

  • Hanford
  • Longview
  • Renton
  • Seattle
  • Spokane
  • Wenatchee

Recent Washington Settlements:

  • $2.25 million – Army Veteran
  • $2.5 million – Navy veteran
  • $1.8 million – Pipefitter
  • $2.36 million – X-Ray Tech
  • $1.8 million – Truck Driver

Recommended Washington Lawyer Simmons Hanly Conroy

Get a Free Mesothelioma Guide

Working With a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Washington

Washington residents with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases deserve financial compensation. Manufacturers knew the dangers of asbestos-containing products but chose to not warn their workers, the public, or the U.S. military.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma: Get a Free Legal Case Review Now

According to data from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Washington saw 9,200 asbestos-related deaths between 1999-2017. Of those, more than 1,600 died from mesothelioma.

For decades, Washington mesothelioma lawyers have been working side-by-side with families impacted by asbestos-related diseases. Work with a Washington mesothelioma attorney to see if you may be eligible for compensation.

Washington Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Through a mesothelioma lawsuit, victims of asbestos-related diseases may be able to access financial compensation from the manufacturers responsible.

Compensation from a lawsuit can be used to:

  • Cover funeral and burial costs
  • Offer longer-term financial security for surviving family members
  • Pay for expensive medical costs, including travel
  • Save money for the future

Filing a lawsuit with a top Washington mesothelioma lawyer is the best way for eligible residents to access these helpful funds.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Washington

When it comes to mesothelioma lawsuits, a vast majority reach settlements instead of going to trial before a judge and jury.

When an out-of-court mesothelioma settlement is reached, the victim receives financial compensation from the manufacturers being sued.

Mesothelioma victims typically receive $1 Million from these settlements.

In the rare event a case does not reach a settlement, it may go to trial.

Mesothelioma trial verdicts award $2.4 Million on average — if the jury sides with the asbestos victim. Juries may also side with the manufacturer being sued, in which case the asbestos victim gets no money.

To learn more about settlements and trial verdicts, it is best to get in touch with a Washington mesothelioma lawyer.

Statute of Limitations in Washington

A statute of limitations (SOL) is a law that establishes the maximum amount of time a victim has to file a claim for an offense.

In the case of mesothelioma, the SOL begins immediately after a person is diagnosed or after they die.

Every state has different SOLs, but very rarely do these laws extend beyond 1-3 years.

Unfortunately, this short window of time puts pressure on some families to file a lawsuit right away when they are struggling to deal with a cancer diagnosis.

State SOLs can also be extremely difficult for the average person to figure out on their own — let alone when a loved one is sick, injured, or dying.

An experienced Washington mesothelioma lawyer can make sure lawsuits are filed within the state time limit.

Asbestos Trust Funds and Statutes of Limitations in Washington

Victims and their families sometimes miss their SOL window to file a lawsuit. However, a Washington mesothelioma lawyer can see if families are still able to access compensation through an asbestos trust fund.

The federal court ordered bankrupt companies involved in the manufacture of asbestos-related products to set aside asbestos trust funds to support all of their victims. As such, trust funds do not follow state SOLs.

Did You Know?

The total amount of these trust funds is currently estimated at over $30 Billion.

Contact a Washington mesothelioma lawyer to explore your financial options through lawsuit compensation, asbestos trust funds, and more.

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Washington

When asbestos use was at its peak, it was widely used throughout Washington industries, most notably shipbuilding.

At Washington’s Puget Sound Naval Shipyard drydocks, workers built Navy escort vessels and repaired battleships damaged overseas.

All of these ships were constructed with tons of asbestos-containing products. Exposure to these products led to thousands of asbestos-related deaths in Washington decades later.

Shipyards were not the only work sites with a high risk of asbestos exposure, though.

Other examples of asbestos sites in the state include:

  • Dow Chemical Plant, Elma
  • Hanford Nuclear Site, Hanford
  • Vermiculite NW, Inc., Spokane
  • Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane
  • Chevron Chemical Company, Kennewick
  • Bremerton Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton
  • Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Tacoma
  • Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) Oil Refinery, Blaine

Asbestos use was common across all of America in the 20th century. Like any other state, Washington is home to hundreds of confirmed and unconfirmed asbestos sites — many of them former or current workplaces.

If you want to know whether your past or present worksite has a history of asbestos exposure, it is best to get in touch with a Washington mesothelioma lawyer.

Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Washington

In addition to monitoring asbestos emissions, federal and state agencies govern and regulate the safe removal of asbestos from buildings and structures.

The Washington Department of Ecology follows the Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).

The agency requires that proper notification be given before demolishing or renovating facilities with asbestos-containing materials.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees asbestos in Washington state schools under the federal law known as AHERA, short for Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.

Under AHERA, Washington school districts are required to inspect public schools for asbestos once every three years. In addition, all schools are required to create and implement an asbestos management plan.

Speak to a Washington mesothelioma lawyer to see how these laws may affect your case.

Washington VA Information for Mesothelioma Victims

The manufacturers of asbestos-containing products took advantage of the American public, including the U.S. military, by not sharing critical information about the health risks of asbestos exposure.

Until the early 1980s, all military ships, bases, barracks, and family housing were constructed with asbestos-containing building materials and products.

The military’s widespread use of asbestos means veterans consistently suffer from mesothelioma at a much higher rate.

Did You Know?

33% of all mesothelioma patients are military veterans.

However, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has many benefits available for veterans with mesothelioma.

Common VA benefits include:

  • Aid & attendance
  • Disability compensation
  • Health care
  • Survivors benefits

Veterans who qualify may also receive health care from top mesothelioma doctors who work with the VA.

VA mesothelioma doctors include:

The Mesothelioma Cancer Network has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly. Visit the UCLA Health website to learn more about Dr. Robert Cameron.

There are many VA facilities throughout Washington. Contact those on the list below by visiting va.gov.

Veterans Benefits Administration

  • VA Puget Sound Health Care System – American Lake Division, Lakewood
  • VA Puget Sound Health Care System – Seattle Division, Seattle

VA Medical Centers

  • Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, Spokane
  • VA Portland Health Care System – Vancouver Campus, Vancouver
  • Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, Walla Walla

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • Bellevue Valor CBOC
  • Bremerton CBOC
  • Chehalis – South Sound CBOC
  • Valor CBOC Federal Way
  • Mount Vernon CBOC
  • Port Angeles – North Olympic Peninsula
  • Richland (WA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic
  • Valor CBOC North Seattle
  • Wenatchee CBOC
  • Yakima (WA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic

VA Veterans Centers

  • Bellingham Veterans Center
  • Everett Veterans Center
  • Federal Way Veterans Center
  • Lacey Outstation
  • Seattle Veterans Center
  • Spokane Veterans Center
  • Tacoma Veterans Center
  • Walla Walla Veterans Center
  • Yakima Valley Veterans Center

In addition to federal VA services, Washington veterans can also seek help for service-related injuries through Washington mesothelioma lawyers and veterans service offers.

AML and VFW Service Officers in Washington

Two essential veterans’ organizations — the American Legion (AML) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — operate within Washington state, helping veterans apply for federal and state benefits.

Each organization employs Veterans Service Officers (VSO) who work directly with veterans.

In Washington, there are hundreds of accredited VSOs across dozens of the state’s cities and towns, from Aberdeen to Yakima. VSOs are found in every country in Washington.

Work With a Washington Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, work with a Washington mesothelioma lawyer.

Bear in mind that the statutes of limitation in Washington determine the limited amount of time that a mesothelioma victim and/or their family has to file a claim.

By working with a Washington mesothelioma lawyer, you can get help:

  • Accessing compensation
  • Determining when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos
  • Developing a strong case

To find out if you may be eligible for compensation, work with the Mesothelioma Cancer Network and get a free legal case review today.

Get a free case review today.

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Mesothelioma Support Team
Stephanie KiddWritten by:

Editor-in-Chief

Stephanie Kidd grew up in a family of civil servants, blue-collar workers, and medical caregivers. Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude from Stetson University, she began her career specializing in worker safety regulations and communications. Now, a proud member of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and Editor-in-Chief of the Mesothelioma Cancer Network, Stephanie serves as a voice for mesothelioma victims and their families.

View 12 Sources
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