Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer with one known cause—asbestos exposure. It causes immense physical, emotional, and financial suffering for victims and their families. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma in Washington or Oregon, Bergman Oslund Udo Little can pursue the compensation you deserve. Our mesothelioma lawyers are dedicated to holding asbestos companies accountable and helping affected families receive justice.
Brendan Little, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: April 17, 2025
Washington & Oregon Mesothelioma Lawyers
As the Pacific Northwest’s premier mesothelioma law firm, we’ve been fighting for asbestos exposure victims and their families since 1995. Our team has recovered some of the highest settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma cases in Washington and Oregon, including these results:
- $30 million for a client exposed to crocidolite asbestos fibers while working at Ameron’s Bondstrand factory
- $11.2 million for a client exposed to asbestos-containing insulation removed while dismantling former Navy ships at Zidell Dismantling
- $10 million for a client with take-home exposure that occurred during World War II
- $8.3 million for a client exposed to asbestos while working as an electrician in the U.S. Navy at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
to learn more about how we can help you. If mesothelioma has affected your family, contact us. We offer a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Why Choose Bergman Oslund Udo Little for Your Mesothelioma Case?
During our 30 years of practice, we’ve obtained more than $1 billion in compensation for our deserving clients. The vast majority of this has come from asbestos manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors who put profits over people. Thus, we know the many potential sources of asbestos exposure across the Pacific Northwest and how to prove your exposure with compelling evidence.
We’re a small firm with a narrow focus and a personalized approach. When you choose our team, we’ll work closely with you to tell the story of how mesothelioma has impacted your life. You can expect us to treat you with compassion and patience while providing zealous advocacy in the courtroom. Our advocacy has earned us positive reviews and testimonials from clients, such as the following:
“My brother was diagnosed with mesothelioma in May 2014 and passed away in August 2014. The Bergman attorneys, Chandler Udo specifically, are our angels. Chandler, and the others, have a true passion for this cause—with them, it’s waaaay more than just a job. Chandler was with us every step of the way, and he worked his tail off for our family.”
– Aileen W.
“Chandler Udo represented us through the complicated process of seeking justice for my husband’s exposure to asbestos in the line of duty and resultant mesothelioma. Every member of Bergman Legal with whom we interacted was responsive to our situation and tenacious in representing us. The kindness, patience, and professionalism of Chandler Udo and his team is most sincerely appreciated and will never be forgotten”
– Candace S.
“I would like to thank you and your staff for your continued efforts and support in assisting our family with our father’s wrongful death due to his exposure to asbestos resulting in mesothelioma. Your firm’s relentless pursuit for justice is greatly appreciated.”
– Richard M.
Our Mesothelioma Attorneys
Our firm has a diverse and dynamic group of attorneys who handle mesothelioma cases. Each has a unique set of skills and experiences to contribute to helping patients and their families. Our attorneys understand the toll a difficult medical diagnosis can take and are here to guide you through this difficult time.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund has over a decade of experience representing hundreds of mesothelioma victims and their families. Vanessa previously counseled the Washington State Senate, advising senators on consumer protection and insurance issues.
Chandler Udo
Chandler Udo is an accomplished trial lawyer who has successfully tried numerous asbestos cases in state and federal courts. He’s been with our firm for nearly 15 years and serves as a volunteer for the King County Bar Association neighborhood legal clinic in Seattle.
Brendan Little
Brendan Little has dedicated his career to representing everyday people harmed by corporate wrongdoing. Before he joined our firm, Brendan worked at a New York City plaintiffs’ firm representing individuals exposed to asbestos in talcum powder products.
Ruby Aliment
Ruby Aliment has been holding corporations and other wrongdoers accountable since 2016. She takes pride in the trust her clients put in her and strives to make their stories heard during the most challenging moments of their lives.
Erica Bergmann
Erica Bergmann has played an integral role in preparing several cases for trial against multi-national corporations. She joined our firm in 2018 and enjoys working closely with mesothelioma victims and their families to help tell the story of how the disease has impacted them.
Myles Crandall
Myles Crandall has always been motivated by a desire to help people. He pursued a 10-year career in education and began his legal career serving as Assistant Federal Public Defender in Miami, Florida.
Jonathan Kim
Jonathan Kim graduated from Harvard Law School and kickstarted his career at a commercial litigation firm in Seattle. He later served three years as a King County public defender representing clients in the Seattle Municipal Court, King County District Court, and King County Juvenile Court.
Meg Price
Meg Price‘s legal career began at a civil litigation firm specializing in insurance coverage and litigation of first and third-party disputes. Today, she strives to bring dignity to the losses and lives of mesothelioma victims.
Understanding Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue surrounding certain organs, such as the lungs, heart, pelvic organs, and testicles.
Almost all mesothelioma cases result from asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is rare in the general population but fairly common among workers with years of asbestos exposure in high-risk occupations.
The disease has a long latency period, so most mesothelioma diagnoses occur 10 to 60 years after asbestos exposure. As a result, most mesothelioma patients today were exposed to asbestos decades ago. This fact often makes it challenging to determine the company responsible for the exposure.
Although asbestos use in the United States declined sharply in the 1970s, the government has not fully banned it. Asbestos is also still in many older buildings and products. Therefore, the risk of asbestos exposure continues to this day.
Common Asbestos Exposure Sites in Washington & Oregon
Specific job sites throughout the Pacific Northwest have led to a particularly high number of asbestos-related illnesses, including:
- Shipyards such as Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Todd Shipyards, Swan Island Shipyard, and Zidell Marine Corporation
- Paper mills such as Cowlitz County Paper Mills, Boise Cascade Paper Mill, Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill, Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill, and Georgia-Pacific Paper Mill
- Power plants such as Centralia Power Plant and Trojan Nuclear Power Plant
- Oil refineries such as Skagit Oil Refineries and BP Refinery, formerly ARCO
Workers at job sites such as these are the most common victims of mesothelioma, but their loved ones are also vulnerable. We represent clients who developed mesothelioma after a loved one brought asbestos home on their clothes. These secondary exposure victims are often workers’ spouses or children.
Your Legal Rights: Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Washington & Oregon
You generally have two options for seeking compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis: filing a lawsuit against the company responsible for your exposure or filing an asbestos trust fund claim.
Either way, you must take legal action within your state’s statute of limitations. Oregon’s filing deadlines are two years for personal injury claims and three years for wrongful death claims. Washington has a three-year filing deadline for both personal injury and wrongful death claims. The timer begins running from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis or death.
Asbestos Lawsuits
Mesothelioma litigation is usually the main path for pursuing compensation. This process begins with investigating your work and family history to identify your exposure source.
We’ll gather strong evidence of your exposure, file a lawsuit on your behalf, and negotiate a settlement with the defendant. If the defendant refuses to offer a full and fair settlement, we will fight for you at trial.
Asbestos Trust Funds
After the public began to realize the dangers of asbestos, many companies responsible for exposure filed for bankruptcy. Courts ordered these companies to set up trust funds to compensate victims and their families.
Tens of billions of dollars are currently available in asbestos trust funds. Getting compensated from them is often more straightforward than a lawsuit.
Compensation Available for Mesothelioma Victims
A mesothelioma victim’s compensation may include the following damages:
- Past and future medical expenses for chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
When we file a mesothelioma claim on your behalf, we aim to get you the most compensation possible for your unique losses. Each case is worth a different amount. However, our approach has allowed us to achieve high-value settlements and verdicts, including a $5.5 million jury award against Volkswagen for a mesothelioma victim’s family.
Mesothelioma Treatment & Support Resources
The right care team can make all the difference in your mesothelioma treatment journey. While the U.S.’s top mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers are located outside the Pacific Northwest, the region does have reputable options, such as the following:
- Fred Hutch Cancer Center
- Swedish Cancer Institute
- Knight Cancer Institute
- Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon
VA Puget Sound Health Care is also an option for veterans in the region. If you have developed a disease from asbestos exposure during your military service, you may also be eligible for VA mesothelioma benefits, including disability compensation. Deceased veterans’ surviving family members are often eligible for these benefits as well.
Support for Families of Mesothelioma Victims
If you lost a loved one to mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation through a wrongful death claim. Eligible family members usually include spouses and children. Wrongful death compensation often includes damages such as the following:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses from before your loved one’s death
- Loss of financial support, including your loved one’s income and benefits
- Loss of companionship
This type of legal action can allow your family to gain long-term financial stability and a sense of closure. Our attorneys have helped countless grieving families recover fair compensation for their losses.
Speak With a Washington & Oregon Mesothelioma Attorney Today
We’re committed to protecting the interests of families facing mesothelioma challenges in the Pacific Northwest. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, Bergman Oslund Udo Little is ready to fight for you.
Learn about your options today with a free consultation. Our mesothelioma lawyers charge no upfront legal fees, so you can get quality representation no matter your financial situation.
Contact us online to get started. You can also call our Washington office at 206-957-9510 or our Oregon office at 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
