Can You Sue for Asbestos Exposure Before Becoming Ill?
Asbestos exposure poses serious long-term health risks, so it is not unusual to wonder if you can sue for asbestos exposure before you become ill. You are not eligible to file a lawsuit unless you have suffered harm from the exposure. Thus, you must have received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis and sustained damages such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Chandler H. Udo, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: December 3, 2024
If you have received a diagnosis, contact a skilled asbestos illness lawyer immediately so you don’t lose your chance to collect compensation through the courts. Bergman Oslund Udo Little is the Pacific Northwest’s Premier Mesothelioma Law Firm. For three decades, we have been fighting to protect the interests of families facing the challenges of asbestos-related illnesses.
- People with asbestos-related illnesses and the families of those who have died from such diseases can file asbestos-exposure lawsuits.
- Even with asbestos exposure, you cannot file a lawsuit until you are diagnosed with an illness and have damages.
- If you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos, see your doctor and consistently monitor your health.
- If you receive an asbestos-related illness diagnosis, contact our experienced attorneys immediately so you don’t miss your chance to file a lawsuit.
Who Is Eligible to File an Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit?
Only those diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, can file an asbestos-exposure lawsuit. Family members of those who have died from asbestos-related diseases might be eligible to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. However, you do not have to have a direct asbestos exposure history to develop an asbestos-related illness and file a claim.
Workers exposed to asbestos on the job often brought dangerous fibers home on their bodies and clothing. People with secondary asbestos exposure can also develop asbestos-related diseases. For example, our accomplished mesothelioma attorneys secured $6.8 million for a 37-year-old woman with mesothelioma who was exposed to asbestos due to her father’s work at Pacific Northwest Bell.
Why Can't Those Exposed With Asbestos Sue Before Illness?
To collect compensation from another party in a personal injury lawsuit, you must show that they harmed you and that harm caused damages. You cannot sue for asbestos exposure without having received a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease because you haven’t suffered harm or sustained damages.
If you believe you had occupational asbestos exposure, list the places you worked where exposure may have occurred. Note any schools, universities, or other buildings you frequented that are known asbestos exposure sites. Most people exposed to asbestos don’t get sick, but preparing helps if you do eventually need to seek compensation.
The Importance of Medical Monitoring if You Suspect Asbestos Exposure
If you suspect asbestos exposure, consistently monitor yourself for signs of an asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. See your doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, such as a persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, and coughing up blood.
If you do receive a diagnosis, contact the skilled mesothelioma lawyers at Bergman Oslund Udo Little quickly so we can discuss your legal options. State mesothelioma statutes of limitations set the deadline for filing a lawsuit. These filing deadlines vary by state but are often a couple of years following the discovery of the illness. If you fail to file your claim before the deadline established by the statute of limitations, a court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to seek compensation.
Speak With an Attorney
Even if your asbestos exposure occurred decades ago, you may be eligible to file a claim to get compensation for your lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related disease. Contact us immediately after your diagnosis so we can investigate and file your claim before the applicable deadline.
Since 1995, we’ve been helping families in the Pacific Northwest hold asbestos companies accountable, recovering over $1 billion for our deserving clients. We understand the toll a difficult medical diagnosis can take on a family, and we will guide you through the legal process with patience and compassion.
Reach out today by completing our online contact form. You can also reach our local office at the following phone numbers:
- Seattle: 206-957-9510
- Portland: 503-447-6230
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97204
503-447-6230
