Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Lawyer

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Washington, D.C.

People in Washington, D.C. diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Family members may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one passes away from an asbestos-related disease. Hiring a skilled mesothelioma lawyer can affect the amount of compensation you may receive.

Key Facts About Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Washington, D.C. 

1. The District of Columbia’s statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury lawsuits is 3 years from the date of diagnosis.
2. Loved ones have 1 year from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
3. D.C. has rules regarding percentages of fault for asbestos exposure called Comparative Negligence Rules. If it’s determined a plaintiff is even 1% at fault for their own exposure, they could be barred from recovering damages.

The complexities and challenges of filing and preparing for a mesothelioma lawsuit in D.C. mean it’s critical to collect solid evidence demonstrating the defendant’s responsibility for your mesothelioma. This underscores the importance of working with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. 

Knowledgeable asbestos attorneys in Washington, D.C. will guide you through each step of the legal process. Working closely with your asbestos attorney is the best way to make empowered decisions about how to proceed with filing your case.

Why Hire a Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Lawyer After Asbestos Exposure?

Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyers are familiar with local laws. They have experience with how D.C. handles asbestos lawsuits. They also know how to identify the companies or employers responsible for exposing you to asbestos.

When choosing your mesothelioma law firm in D.C., ask them about their success securing mesothelioma compensation for their clients. Ask them to discuss past settlements or verdicts they’ve secured for clients with cases similar to yours. This can help you see if their record of results matches your family’s needs.

Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Law Firms

A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney in the District of Columbia, can make a big difference in your case. Local asbestos lawyers understand the judges and juries in D.C., which can help them decide the best way to handle your claim.

They also know about the many worksites and other locations in Washington, D.C., with higher risks of asbestos exposure. This helps them build strong evidence for your case. Working with a lawyer with a license to practice locally can help ensure your case is handled efficiently and effectively. 

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside Washington, D.C. 

Some of the most skilled mesothelioma lawyers in Washington, D.C. work for national asbestos law firms. These firms have experience handling all types of asbestos claims. Lawyers at these firms will travel to meet with mesothelioma survivors and their families in D.C., typically for free. 

A top Washington, D.C. asbestos lawyer can also evaluate your case and determine the right place to file your claim. If your asbestos exposure occurred outside of D.C., you may need to file in the jurisdiction where the exposure happened. Potentially you may need to file elsewhere if the defendant is headquartered outside of D.C.

Asbestos Compensation in Washington, D.C. 

A number of historic asbestos cases have been heard in D.C. Some key cases have even been argued all the way up to 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 with 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 poses. 

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

Washington, D.C. Asbestos Laws and Regulations

Washington, D.C., follows federal regulations concerning asbestos. Since Washington, D.C. is a federal district, there are no state laws to follow. The district follows its own Asbestos Licensing and Control Act of 1990, which sets forth its rules and regulations for asbestos abatement and control. 

Washington, D.C. Asbestos Laws and Regulations 

• District of Columbia 800.1, Control of Asbestos: Outlines rules for all renovation projects and demolition operations. 
• District of Columbia 800.3, Control of Asbestos: Regulations to qualify for an asbestos abatement permit or license. 
• District of Columbia 800.4, Control of Asbestos: Asbestos abatement permit exemptions.
• District of Columbia 800.6, Control of Asbestos: Regulations to ensure worker protection from asbestos.
• District of Columbia 800.7, Control of Asbestos: Rules for controlling emissions from asbestos abatement projects.

Property owners must notify the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment before starting work that could disturb asbestos. Notice must be given at least 10 days before work begins. 

D.C. also adheres to the Clean Air Act and Toxic Substances Control Act. These laws limit how asbestos can be used, removed and handled to protect public health. Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, D.C. schools and government buildings must regularly inspect for asbestos and safely manage or remove it if necessary.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos 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 builders constructed these military buildings, they required insulation with asbestos. 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. 

Occupations & Industries Known for 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. But workers weren’t told how bad it was and didn’t get 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.

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