Washington, D.C., Mesothelioma Lawyer

How to Find and Choose a Washington, D.C., Mesothelioma Lawyer

When selecting a lawyer in Washington, D.C., look for someone with a proven track record of success in mesothelioma and asbestos cases. This includes experience securing significant settlements and verdicts, familiarity with state-specific statutes of limitations and access to critical asbestos exposure data. Compassionate communication and a client-centered approach are also vital, ensuring you clearly understand every step of the legal process and feel supported throughout.

Finding the right mesothelioma lawyer is crucial, especially in areas without local offices specializing in asbestos litigation. Many experienced national law firms serve clients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., often traveling to meet you and handling all aspects of your case remotely. These firms bring extensive resources, specialized knowledge of asbestos laws and strong relationships with medical experts to build a compelling case on your behalf.

National mesothelioma lawyers have the expertise and resources to file claims in your area or in another jurisdiction that offers the best chance for recovery. With a contingency fee structure, you don’t pay unless you win. Choosing a dedicated and experienced mesothelioma lawyer protects your rights and helps your family obtain the financial support needed during this challenging time.

Weitz & Luxenberg

• $8.5 Billion Recovered
• Serves Clients Nationwide
• Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022

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Simmons Hanly Conroy

• $8.9 Billion Recovered
• Serves Clients Nationwide
• Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report

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Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Washington, D.C. 

Several historic asbestos cases have been heard in Washington, D.C., with some key cases even reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. As recently as June 2024, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in a dispute between an asbestos company and its main insurer. 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a unanimous ruling in Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co. The justices ruled the insurance company has the right to a seat at the table after Kaiser Gypsum Co. and Hanson Permanente Cement filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Sotomayor’s opinion noted, “…the Court holds that insurers such as Truck with financial responsibility for bankruptcy claims are parties in interest.” 

In another asbestos case in 2019, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of Navy veterans Kenneth McAfee and John DeVries and defendants Air and Liquid Systems, CBS, Foster Wheeler, Ingersoll Rand and General Electric. Justice Brett Kavanaugh delivered the majority opinion, agreeing with the plaintiffs that manufacturers have a duty to warn about asbestos needing to be added to their products and the danger that it poses. 

Many mesothelioma lawsuits filed in Washington, D.C., or those that have come before the nation’s highest court have focused on seeking justice and compensation. Most lawsuits across the country are settled. While settlement amounts are often private, mesothelioma settlements range between $1 million and $2 million. The national average verdict in asbestos lawsuits that proceed through trial is $20.7 million.

How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Washington, D.C. 

Filing a mesothelioma claim can be complex, but an experienced asbestos lawyer guides you through the process of filing a claim in Washington, D.C. They handle much of the legal work and gather critical evidence to build a strong case while you focus on your health. Understanding the typical stages of a claim helps you feel prepared and confident as your attorney works to secure the best possible compensation.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for a free case evaluation to review your diagnosis and exposure history.
2. Your lawyer collects medical records, work history and documentation of asbestos exposure.
3. The attorney identifies the best jurisdiction to file your claim, which may be in Washington, D.C. or outside your home area if advantageous.
4. Your lawyer files the asbestos lawsuit, trust fund claim or veterans benefits claim on your behalf.
5. Both sides enter discovery, exchanging evidence and taking depositions.
6. Most cases settle after discovery; however, your lawyer prepares for trial if needed.
7. Compensation is pursued for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
8. Your lawyer manages deadlines and paperwork throughout to avoid delays or dismissal.

A skilled mesothelioma lawyer takes the burden off your shoulders by coordinating every phase of the legal process. They prioritize clear communication and compassionate support, so you can focus on treatment and family while they work to secure your financial recovery.

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Find out if you’re eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit with help from attorneys who specialize in these cases.

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Asbestos Exposure in Washington, D.C.

Many people in Washington, D.C., experience asbestos exposure through the many older buildings in the district. Government buildings, including embassies, military buildings and public offices, may have been constructed with asbestos. Renovation or demolition of structures containing legacy asbestos can release dangerous asbestos into the air.

Sites in Washington, D.C., Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Bolling Air Force Base and Fort McNair: When these military buildings were constructed, builders required asbestos insulation. Anyone who lived in or served on the bases may have inhaled asbestos fibers. 
• Farragut North Metro Stop and Union Station Metro Stop: Workers found asbestos at the underground Metro station during renovation work in 2011. In 2015, investigators found hundreds of Metro cars carrying asbestos. 
• George Washington University: Implemented an asbestos management plan after the university found asbestos. 
• MLK Memorial Library: The National Capital Planning Commission released a report in 2016 highlighting the presence of asbestos in the facility and the planned abatement work. 
• RFK Stadium: The facility opened in 1961, and demolition started in 2025. Before tearing it down, workers began removing asbestos from the building in 2023 to make the site safer. Developers will build a new stadium in its place.
• The Pentagon: Workers found asbestos in the building’s ceiling plaster, heating and ventilating ducts, pipes and floor coverings. A team began an asbestos removal project in the 1990s and finished it in 2011. In total, the facility contained 10,000 tons of asbestos.
• U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters: Like other military branches, the Coast Guard used asbestos products for fire protection and insulation in its facilities and vessels. 
• Walter Reed Army Medical Center: The Army found asbestos in at least 7 buildings in 2010. 
• Washington Navy Yard: The U.S. Marine Corps historically used asbestos for insulation and fireproofing at its facilities.

Capitol Hill is home to more than 20 federal buildings. By the 1870s, architects were wiring buildings for electricity and piped water, potentially using asbestos-contaminated construction materials to provide the plumbing and lighting. 

Workers at the Senate and House building offices, the Library of Congress and the U.S. Marine barracks on Capitol Hill may also face exposure to asbestos in the old structures. Most older buildings, including schools, may contain legacy asbestos. 

Washington, D.C.’s Most Well-Known Exposure Site: Washington Navy Yard

The Washington Navy Yard exposed thousands of workers to asbestos from the 1930s through the 1970s. Asbestos was used extensively in insulation, boilers, pipes, gaskets and protective gear, putting workers and Navy personnel at high risk of inhaling harmful fibers. Poor safety protocols and a lack of protective equipment led to both direct and second-hand exposure, affecting not only the workers but also their families.

This widespread contamination led the Washington Navy Yard to become a Superfund site because of hazardous asbestos and other pollutants in soil and groundwater. Despite cleanup efforts, many former workers and their families have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases linked to their time at the Yard.​

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Washington, D.C.

Construction workers in the nation’s capital face higher risks of occupational asbestos exposure. Many buildings in Washington, D.C., built before the 1980s, such as offices, hotels, embassies and museums, contain asbestos. Construction workers repairing or tearing down these structures risk inhaling asbestos if proper abatement procedures aren’t followed.

Higher-Risk Jobs in Washington, D.C. 

• Auto mechanics
• Construction workers 
• Electricians
• Factory workers 
• Firefighters 
• Insulators
• Maintenance workers
• Military personnel
• Plumbers 
• Teachers and school staff
• Utility workers

Tests found asbestos in the tunnels under Capitol Hill at levels up to 40 times higher than legally allowed. However, workers weren’t informed about the severity of the situation and didn’t receive proper safety gear until 2006. As a result, 7 out of 10 tunnel workers developed asbestosis. Experts believe all of the workers are at a higher risk for mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Washington, D.C., courts can hold companies responsible for secondary asbestos exposure. This happens when a worker brings home asbestos on their clothes, hair or skin, exposing someone to it. Family members can breathe in these asbestos fibers and develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

How Your Lawyer Supports You in Washington, D.C.’s Changing Asbestos Litigation

Washington, D.C.’s asbestos litigation landscape is complex and continually evolving, requiring expert legal support to navigate successfully. Experienced attorneys stay current with new laws, court rulings and regulatory changes that can affect your case. They actively manage deadlines, ensure all evidence meets the strict local legal standards and adjust claim strategies to reflect updates in D.C.’s asbestos regulations and litigation trends.

Your lawyer carefully monitors Washington, D.C.’s specific rules, such as its strict comparative negligence standards, and evaluates whether filing in D.C. or another jurisdiction offers the best chance for compensation. They advocate vigorously for your rights, anticipating challenges from defendants and changing legal environments.

Throughout your case, your attorney prioritizes clear communication and compassionate support. They handle complex legal tasks behind the scenes, freeing you to focus on your health and family while aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for your asbestos-related illness.