How to Find and Choose a Washington Mesothelioma Lawyer

Seek mesothelioma lawyers licensed to practice in Washington and who have proven expertise in mesothelioma and asbestos claims. Schedule free consultations with lawyers from reputable firms to discuss your case and ask about their experience filing claims in Washington. This is an opportunity to gauge how familiar they are with local exposure sites, state laws and court procedures, and if they have a strong record of winning cases for clients in Washington.

Washington ranks No. 15 in the nation for mesothelioma cases and No. 10 for mesothelioma deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This makes choosing an experienced attorney important for people diagnosed here. A skilled mesothelioma lawyer can help you pursue compensation to cover your treatment and recovery. Choose a lawyer you and your family feel comfortable with and someone who clearly explains your legal options. 

Nationwide law firms will come to you and offer extensive resources. Simmons Hanly Conroy, for example, has a record of success in the state, securing more than $213 million for families in Washington. 

Weitz and Luxenberg
Weitz & Luxenberg
  • $8.5 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022
Simmons Hanly Conroy Logo
Simmons Hanly Conroy
  • $8.9 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
meirowitz & wasserberg logo
Meirowitz & Wasserberg
  • $200 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
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Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Washington 

The largest asbestos verdict in Washington’s history was awarded to the surviving family of Jerry Coogan who died of peritoneal mesothelioma. A Washington jury awarded $81.5 million to the family in 2017. The verdict was appealed and in 2020 a divided Washington state appeals court affirmed only part of the verdict. Punitive damages of $30 million were reversed and the court said a new trial on damages was needed.

The original $81.5 million was reinstated on July 8, 2021. The Washington Supreme Court voted in a 9-0 decision to reverse the Court of Appeals’ decision. 

Notable Washington Settlements, Verdicts or Trust Funds

  • $81.5 Million: In 2021 the state’s Supreme Court reinstated a 2017 jury verdict for the family of Jerry Coogan. This was the largest asbestos verdict in the state at the time. Coogan had worked as an excavator operating construction equipment such as backhoes and cranes and died of mesothelioma. 
  • $16.2 Million: A Pierce County Superior Court awarded damages in 2025 to the surviving family of Steve Kotzerke. He died of asbestos-related lung cancer and his widow filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Asbestos Corporation, a Canadian company that supplied asbestos fibers.
  • $13.4 Million: A Washington jury awarded Raymond Budd more than $13 million after he developed mesothelioma. He’d worked with drywall and used asbestos products such as Kaiser Gypsum’s joint compound. It’s the highest verdict in King County. Judge John Ruhl denied appeals and challenges to the verdict. Budd reportedly settled with other defendants for an additional $75,000. 
  • $10.2 Million: A jury awarded Henry and Geraldine Barabin $10.2 million in 2009. Barabin was exposed to Scapa Dryer Fabric Inc.’s asbestos dryer felts while working at Crown Zellerbach Pulp and Paper Mill in Camas. The verdict was reduced to less than $1 million to offset other mesothelioma settlements they’d received. Henry died, but his widow continued the claim. A jury awarded her $1.05 million in 2018, and a judge denied the defendant’s challenges to the verdict. 

Most claims are settled, but there have been historic jury verdicts in Washington. Many settlements have resulted in millions of dollars in mesothelioma compensation. 

Mesothelioma settlements can range from $1 million to $2 million. The national average asbestos lawsuit trial verdict is $20.7 million, according to Mealey’s. Because each case is unique, it’s important to consult an experienced asbestos attorney.

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How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Washington?

When you work with an experienced asbestos lawyer in Washington, they take on the heavy lifting of your legal claim. Your attorney manages the investigation, paperwork and negotiations so you can prioritize your health and time with loved ones.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

  1. Gather medical records: Your lawyer collects documentation to confirm your mesothelioma diagnosis and link it to asbestos exposure.
  2. Investigate exposure history: Your legal team investigates the products and exposure sites in Washington responsible for your diagnosis, such as the amphibole asbestos mine near Lyman in Skagit County, the mine near Alta Lake in Okanogan County, or environmental exposure from asbestos in Swift Creek and the Sumas River in Whatcom County.
  3. Work with experts: Your legal team consults medical and occupational experts to strengthen evidence and build the strongest possible case.
  4. File your claim: Your attorney files claims with asbestos trust funds and personal injury lawsuits in Washington courts, adhering to the state’s 3-year deadline after diagnosis or a loved one’s death.
  5. Manage legal procedures: Your lawyer handles all paperwork, court filings and procedural requirements throughout your case.
  6. Negotiate or litigate: Your attorney negotiates settlements with defendants or prepares for trial if needed to maximize your compensation.

Throughout your claim, your lawyer keeps you informed and involved, answering questions and explaining every step. Their goal is to maximize your compensation while minimizing your legal burdens, providing you with peace of mind during a difficult time.

Asbestos Exposure in Washington

Washington has high rates of asbestos exposure in the state because of asbestos mining and industrial sites that heavily used the mineral. There are 34 naturally occurring asbestos deposits. 

An amphibole asbestos mine near Lyman in Skagit County and a mine near Alta Lake in Okanogan County both operated in Washington. Asbestos in and around Swift Creek and the Sumas River in Whatcom County poses a threat during flooding events and droughts.

Sites in Washington Known for Asbestos Exposure

  • Alcoa Aluminum Plant
  • Arco Oil Refinery
  • Bremerton Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
  • Centralia Washington Public Power Plant
  • Chevron Chemical Plant
  • Chevron Cracking Plant
  • Columbia Aluminum
  • Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill
  • Dow Chemical Plant
  • Duwamish Shipyard, Inc.
  • Fairchild Air Force Base
  • FFTF Nuclear Power Plant
  • Hanford Nuclear Site
  • Intalco Aluminum
  • Kaiser Aluminum
  • Lockheed Shipbuilding & Construction
  • Reynolds Metals Aluminum Plant
  • Tacoma Dry Dock Shipyard
  • Unocal Chemical Plant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported 33 locations in Washington received asbestos. Approximately 981 shipments of asbestos-containing vermiculite came from a Libby, Montana, mine. Most of these shipments went to Seattle and Spokane. Between 1948 and 1993, approximately 63,611 tons of vermiculite were shipped to Washington. Vermiculite went throughout the U.S. under the brand name Zonolite.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton was a major site of asbestos exposure because of its extensive use of asbestos in shipbuilding and repairs. Asbestos was present in boilers, pipes, insulation, gaskets, valves and other ship components, putting workers like insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers and electricians at high risk of inhaling toxic fibers. This exposure has led to many cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases among workers and Navy veterans.

The shipyard was designated a Superfund site in 1993 because of severe asbestos contamination and other pollution. Despite cleanup efforts and regulations, asbestos fibers remain a danger. Many workers filed compensation claims, and safety violations were documented over the years, highlighting the shipyard’s legacy as a hazardous workplace for decades.​

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Washington 

Many Washingtonians were exposed to asbestos while at work. For example, studies showed workers at the Hanford Nuclear Site were exposed to asbestos. A study of former construction workers at the site showed they were 11 times more likely than the general public to develop mesothelioma. It was designated as a Superfund Site in 1988. 

High-Risk Jobs in Washington

Residents in Washington were also exposed via secondary asbestos exposure. This type of exposure typically happens when a worker inadvertently brings asbestos fibers home from a job site on their clothes, gear, hair or skin. It can also be tracked on boots and shoes. The fibers are microscopic and can stick to upholstery and other fabrics around the house. Fibers can also be transferred when handling dirty laundry or hugging a family member when they get home from work. 

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How Your Lawyer Supports You in Washington’s Changing Asbestos Litigation

Washington’s asbestos litigation evolved significantly in 2025, with court rulings clarifying employer responsibility for knowingly exposing workers to asbestos. These changes impact how attorneys build cases and advocate for their clients. Your lawyer stays current on new laws and court decisions to ensure your claim meets all legal standards.

Washington Legislative Changes

  • House Bill 1857: This 2025 law updated state asbestos regulations to allow commercial aggregates with very low asbestos levels without labeling or strict inspections, aligning Washington with other states to reduce construction costs. The law maintains restrictions on asbestos in new construction and renovations, requires manufacturing facilities to conduct inspections and maintain asbestos management plans, and sets penalties for violations.
  • Landmark 2025 Washington Supreme Court Decision: In Cockrum v. C.H. Murphy/Clark-Ullman, the court made it easier for employees with latent diseases like mesothelioma to sue employers outside workers’ compensation. The court replaced the “actual knowledge that injury was certain” standard with a “virtual certainty” standard, lowering the burden on plaintiffs. Employees can now pursue civil claims if they show their employer knew exposure was virtually certain to cause disease and willfully disregarded that risk.

Lawyers track critical deadlines and evidence rules specific to Washington, ensuring your claim complies with all legal requirements. They assess the best court or trust fund to file your claim under current laws. Your lawyer will also advise you on jurisdictional strategies, determining whether filing in Washington or another state offers the strongest case. They tailor their approach to minimize your legal stress while aggressively pursuing justice.

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