Tacoma Mesothelioma Lawyer
A mesothelioma diagnosis has wide-ranging implications for your health and financial future. Caused by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are entitled to hold the appropriate parties responsible for contributing to your suffering. A Tacoma mesothelioma lawyer can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
Chandler H. Udo, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: August 9, 2024
Mesothelioma Lawyers Serving Tacoma, Washington
Serving Tacoma, Washington Bergman Oslund Udo Little primarily focuses on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure cases. Over the years, we’ve represented hundreds of clients in mesothelioma claims and lawsuits, recovering over $1 billion in compensation. Our Tacoma, Washington mesothelioma attorneys have deep community ties—most of us grew up and attended school in Washington, and our attorneys are members of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. We’ve practiced here since 1995 and are a staple in local courtrooms.
We’re proud of the service we’ve provided to our clients who live in Tacoma and throughout Pierce County, including Federal Way, Auburn, Graham, Lakewood, and Puyallup. When our attorneys take on a mesothelioma case, we devote our full attention to ensuring our clients receive five-star treatment and support throughout their entire claims. As a firm with a narrow focus, we have the resources to deliver personalized and specialized attention to everyone who enters our doors.
We are nationally recognized attorneys with several prominent awards, including Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers.
Our Tacoma asbestos lawyers understand the emotional and physical toll a mesothelioma diagnosis has on victims and their families, and we provide empathetic and compassionate support throughout the legal process.
Millions Recovered for Victims of Asbestos Exposure in Tacoma
When our Tacoma mesothelioma lawyers take on a new claim, we fight to get the maximum compensation available. We have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including many Tacoma-area residents. Some of our top case results include:
- $11.2 million for a laborer at Zidell Dismantling in the Port Industrial Yard of Tacoma exposed to asbestos-containing insulation removed during the dismantling of former Navy ships
- $6.3 million for a worker at the Atlas Foundry in Tacoma, Washington, exposed to asbestos-containing insulation materials used in metal molds and talc products
- $4.6 million for an electrician who worked at the St. Regis Paper Mill in Tacoma
How To File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Tacoma
Many of our clients have never filed a lawsuit and are unsure how to pursue damages. Since mesothelioma has such a long latency period—often 20 to 40 years—it may be challenging to identify where asbestos exposure occurred and who is responsible. Fortunately, the law recognizes the difficulties in attributing responsibility and provides multiple ways to compensate mesothelioma victims.
It’s essential to consult with a lawyer quickly following a mesothelioma diagnosis. Washington has a three-year statute of limitations for mesothelioma personal injury and wrongful death claims. The statute begins when you first receive a diagnosis or a loved one succumbs to the disease. You will be barred from recovering compensation if you don’t file suit before the statute of limitations expires.
When you schedule a consultation with our attorneys, we’ll explain some of the potential legal means we can use to recover compensation on your behalf, including:
- Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuits: If we can trace your asbestos exposure to a specific source, such as a worksite or product, we can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for your exposure. A lawsuit allows you to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other types of compensation.
- Asbestos trust funds: As claims mounted against asbestos-product manufacturers, many sought bankruptcy protection. However, courts required them to establish trust funds for future mesothelioma victims as part of the bankruptcy process. An estimated $30 billion is still available in these trusts for eligible claimants.
- Mesothelioma VA claims: Military veterans are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma since all branches used asbestos in varying capacities. The VA provides disability compensation for veterans with service-connected mesothelioma. You may also qualify for other benefits, including a pension and free health care.
- Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit: If you’re the surviving family member of a loved one who has died from mesothelioma, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf against the responsible parties. A wrongful death lawsuit provides financial damages, including coverage for funeral and burial expenses, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
Our Tacoma mesothelioma lawyers will evaluate your case and guide you through your options.
Asbestos Exposure in Pierce County
Tacoma is home to many industries that use asbestos at job sites, in manufacturing, and more. Many residents associate Tacoma with the paper industry, and nearby plants produce a smell known as the “Tacoma Aroma.” Those paper mills use asbestos in various machinery and other tools, and people who work in them may be at increased risk of developing mesothelioma. However, many other workers are at risk, too.
Lumber, Pulp, and Paper Mill Workers
Tacoma has several major lumber, pulp, and paper mills including the Simpson –St. Regis Mill and Boise Cascade, that used asbestos-containing materials for equipment such as dryer felts, insulation on steam-powered machinery and gaskets. Workers whose jobs involved handling or using tools containing asbestos may later develop mesothelioma.
Shipyard Workers
Several shipyards have called Tacoma home over the past 100 years, including Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Tacoma Boat, Zidell, and M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. While now defunct, those shipyards employed thousands of workers to build Navy vessels, tugboats, and clippers. Many of the workers suffered asbestos exposure on the job, resulting in mesothelioma in their later years.
Oil Refinery Workers
Individuals working at oil refineries, including U.S. Oil & Refining in Tacoma, risk developing mesothelioma, especially if their jobs have exposed them to asbestos-containing materials such as insulation, pipes, and gaskets.
Railroad Workers
Due to its fire and heat resistance, asbestos materials were used by many railroad companies for insulation and equipment. Railroad workers who unknowingly inhale asbestos fibers may be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Chemical Plant Workers
Various chemical plants throughout the Tacoma and Pierce County region used asbestos in insulation materials because it is fire- and heat-resistant. Asbestos was also used in tanks, boilers, pipes, and pumps.
Army Soldiers Stationed at Fort Lewis
The U.S. Army used asbestos materials at many of its bases, including Fort Lewis. Army veterans stationed on the base or workers involved with the construction or demolition of its buildings may be at risk of mesothelioma.
Asbestos-Exposure Sites in Tacoma
Several known employers and worksites in the Tacoma area used asbestos-containing materials in prior decades, including the following:
- Boise Cascade: The lumber company is best known for producing wooden building materials to construct homes, decks, and other purposes. Many of its building materials and manufacturing equipment contained asbestos, especially before the 1980s.
- St. Regis Paper Company: The paper mill is the source of the “aroma of Tacoma,” a sulfurous smell created during paper and cardboard production. Equipment used in the paper production process, including talc, gaskets, and dryer felts, often contained asbestos.
- Weyerhaeuser Timber Company: The lumber giant produces timber and wood products for home and building construction. The insulation used in boilers, electrical equipment, pipes, and ductwork frequently contained asbestos.
- Zidell Dismantling Port Industrial Yard: This shipyard built and repaired U.S. Navy vessels in the Tacoma area. Many ships contained asbestos materials used in piping and insulation.
Even if the source of your exposure isn’t on the list, it is vital to seek legal assistance if you’ve received a recent mesothelioma diagnosis. We may be able to trace your asbestos exposure to other sites.
Our Tacoma Asbestos Lawyers Can Help
If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. Mesothelioma has only one known cause—asbestos exposure. By tracing the source of your exposure, we can hold the appropriate parties responsible and help you obtain compensation to provide for your family’s future financial security.
We understand that a mesothelioma claim may be the last thing you want to deal with when your health is declining. Our attorneys will guide you through the process and provide our support to secure optimal compensation. Call Bergman Oslund Udo Little at 206-957-9510 or complete our online intake form to speak with a Tacoma mesothelioma attorney.
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97204
503-447-6230
