Occupational Asbestos Exposure
Countless workers throughout the Pacific Northwest have been exposed to asbestos on the job and have developed asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. If you have developed mesothelioma from occupational asbestos exposure, you need an expert attorney who will fight for your compensation.
Chandler H. Udo, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: April 17, 2025
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we have represented mesothelioma victims in the Pacific Northwest for 30 years. We offer personalized service and unmatched local expertise and will help you understand your rights.
- Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that develops from exposure to asbestos fibers, often on construction or industrial job sites.
- Those most at risk for mesothelioma include shipyard workers, aircraft mechanics, contractors, and power plant or paper mill workers.
- Compensation is available for mesothelioma victims through legal action and occasionally via asbestos trust funds from liable companies.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in Washington and Oregon
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer. Its only known cause is exposure to asbestos, a mineral compound with a long history of industrial use. Asbestos becomes dangerous when the materials containing it break down, releasing the mineral’s tiny fibers into the air. Workers inhale these fibers or carry them home on their clothes, exposing spouses, children, and others.
The survival rate for mesothelioma is just four to 18 months after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate is 10 percent—a number on the rise but still distressingly low.
Even after they learned of the dangers of asbestos exposure, many companies continued to manufacture, market, and use asbestos-containing materials, putting the public at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. Throughout most of the 20th century, workers and their families throughout the Pacific Northwest have been exposed.
Bergman Oslund Udo Little is The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Mesothelioma Law Firm. Our lawyers have secured over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma victims in Washington and Oregon. We understand the toll a difficult medical diagnosis can take on a family and guide our clients through the legal process with patience and compassion.
Who Is Most at Risk for Mesothelioma in the Pacific Northwest?
Many industries widely used asbestos throughout the 20th century. Asbestos exposure was common for workers in the following occupations in the Pacific Northwest:
- Shipyards workers: Including those who worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Swan Island Shipyard
- Construction workers: Construction sites containing asbestos were particularly common in busy cities such as Seattle, Portland, and Eugene
- Oil refinery workers: Including those who worked in Skagit County and Tacoma
- Power plant workers: Including those who worked at the Centralia Power Plant
- Paper mill workers: Including those who worked for Georgia-Pacific, Boise Cascade, and Weyerhaeuser
- Nuclear facility workers: Specifically, workers at the Hanford Nuclear Site
This is only a sampling of the Pacific Northwest locations where we know asbestos exposure occurred. To learn more, see our roster of known asbestos job sites.
Asbestos Exposure in Washington and Oregon – Are You at Risk?
Pacific Northwest residents may be at higher risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma if they have worked in industries that have heavily used fireproofing, construction, and insulation materials containing asbestos. High-risk trades include pipefitting, boiler installation and repair, firefighting, and aircraft and motor vehicle maintenance. Brake repair is particularly high-risk work due to the use of asbestos in brake linings.
You may also be at risk of mesothelioma if you lived with someone whose work exposed them to asbestos. Secondary exposure happens when employees bring asbestos fibers home on their hair, skin, or clothing, unknowingly exposing family members.
Washington and Oregon Asbestos Regulations and Worker Protections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency regulate asbestos exposure. OSHA requires assessment and monitoring of job sites to keep exposure below one asbestos fiber per cubic centimeter over 30 minutes. Personal protective equipment is necessary in areas that exceed this limit.
The EPA has extended that protection to state and government employees. All state asbestos regulations in Oregon and Washington must meet these federal requirements. The EPA is also phasing out the final remaining uses of asbestos under a 2024 ban.
Legal Rights for Mesothelioma Victims in Washington and Oregon
If you have developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, you have the right to file a claim. However, you must file a lawsuit before the deadline imposed by the statute of limitations.
Oregon gives you two years to file a personal injury claim and three years to file a wrongful death claim. In Washington, you have three years for either case type.
In mesothelioma cases, the personal injury statute of limitations starts to run on the date of diagnosis. If a loved one has died from mesothelioma, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim begins to run on the date of death.
Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy due to the mounting liability. The court required them to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate exposure victims. If one of those companies is responsible for your exposure, you may qualify to file a claim for compensation with an asbestos trust fund. We maintain an active list of companies that established these funds.
How Bergman Oslund Udo Little Can Help You
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we provide legal representation to asbestos-exposure victims across Oregon and Washington. Our focus is narrow, but we have the legal experience and resources to take on large companies that used asbestos despite the known risks.
We are committed to treating clients with mutual trust, respect, and compassion. We take a holistic approach that includes education, client service, advocacy, and litigation to provide comprehensive support for our clients. We are particularly proud of the reviews and testimonials our clients have shared about their experiences.
We have a proven track record of the highest settlements and largest verdicts in Washington and Oregon. In 2022, we secured a $30 million jury verdict for the family of a long-time Oregon resident who developed mesothelioma following asbestos exposure as an employee of Ameron International Corporation.
Starting a claim is as easy as calling us. We’ll listen to your story and work with you to determine the source of your asbestos exposure—the first step to holding responsible parties accountable. Call 503-447-6230 in Oregon or 206-957-9510 in Washington, or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
One of the unique things about Bergman Oslund Udo Little is our deep knowledge of the asbestos occupations and job sites in the Pacific Northwest. If we don’t already have what we need, we will employ investigators to visit job sites to take photos and videos, and if possible, we interview those workers who were there decades ago when the exposure may have occurred.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund – Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little, PLLC
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mesothelioma in Washington & Oregon
What Are the Leading Causes of Mesothelioma in Washington and Oregon?
The only confirmed cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. The highest risk exists among people who regularly worked with asbestos-containing materials in industries such as construction and manufacturing. Secondary exposure is also common among people whose household members worked in such industries.
Are There Specialized Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in the Pacific Northwest?
There are mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers across the United States. The top centers closest to the Pacific Northwest are in northern California. There are also centers in the Los Angeles area. Contact one of these specialists to learn about top mesothelioma doctors in Washington or Oregon.
How Do I File an Asbestos Lawsuit in Washington or Oregon?
Your first step is to consult with an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases. We aggressively pursue compensation for asbestos victims in the Pacific Northwest. Our team can determine the source of your exposure, gather evidence, and build a case against those responsible for your illness.. We will negotiate for a settlement and go to trial if necessary to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Options Exist for Mesothelioma Patients?
You can file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for their exposure. Some patients can secure compensation through asbestos trust funds, which courts ordered bankrupt companies to establish to compensate asbestos-exposure victims. VA Disability benefits may also be available for veterans exposed to asbestos during service.
Can Family Members of Asbestos Victims File Claims?
If your loved one died from mesothelioma, you may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This may allow you to recover the costs of your family member’s illness and end-of-life expenses, as well as future losses such as lost income and loss of companionship.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in Washington and Oregon
Who Is Most at Risk for Mesothelioma in the Pacific Northwest?
Asbestos Exposure in Washington and Oregon – Are You at Risk?
Legal Rights for Mesothelioma Victims in Washington and Oregon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mesothelioma in Washington & Oregon
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