Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Lawyer

Washington, D.C. has a high population of construction and automotive workers. Before the 1980s, these workers may have been at risk of asbestos exposure on the job. Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have the right to seek legal compensation through a Washington, D.C mesothelioma attorney.

Legally reviewed Melissa Crowe Schopfer

on March 17, 2024

Recommended Washington, D.C. Lawyer Simmons Hanly Conroy

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Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Washington, D.C.

Residents of Washington, D.C. diagnosed with mesothelioma deserve financial compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-based products. These manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos for decades to keep making money.

Hundreds of people in Washington, D.C. died from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from 1999 to 2017, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

If you have been diagnosed with this rare cancer, a reputable Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer can help you pursue compensation and seek justice from negligent manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Washington, D.C.

Most buildings in Washington, D.C. were built long before the public knew the dangers of asbestos. Still, asbestos in older structures puts many residents and construction workers at risk of exposure.

Top mesothelioma lawyers have documented hundreds of asbestos sites in Washington, D.C.

Examples of asbestos sites in Washington, D.C., include:

American University
Anderson Tire Manufacturing
Belgian Embassy
British Embassy
Carnegie Institutions Geophysical Laboratory
Defense Plant Corporation
Episcopal Church Home
Federal Building
George Washington University Hospital
Georgetown University
Pentagon
Potomac Electric Power Company
Shoreham Building Corporation
State, War, and Navy Building
U.S. Capitol Power Plant
U.S. Navy Yard, Naval Gun Factory
United States Treasury Department
Washington Filtration Plant
Watergate Apartment Building
White House

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be mentally, physically, and financially draining. Let an experienced Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer argue your case while you focus on your health and spending time with your family. These lawyers can help you determine where you may have been exposed to asbestos and which companies are likely at fault for your injuries.

Get in touch with a trusted Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer today.

Know Your Rights: Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawsuits should be filed by experienced mesothelioma lawyers who understand this complex legal case type.

Mesothelioma lawsuits can award millions of dollars to asbestos victims and their loved ones.

An experienced Washington, D.C. mesothelioma attorney can determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit and estimate how much financial compensation you may be entitled to.

Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Washington, D.C.?

In addition to full-time residents, mesothelioma patients who may have been exposed to asbestos while working in, living in, or visiting Washington, D.C. might qualify to file a claim for financial compensation.

Additionally, anyone who’s been diagnosed with other serious asbestos-related diseases — such as lung cancer or asbestosis — may also qualify to file a claim with the help of a Washington, D.C. mesothelioma attorney.

Even those who develop an asbestos-related disease later in life, such as mesothelioma, may be eligible to file a claim. Surviving family members may also be able to file a claim on behalf of a mesothelioma victim.

An experienced Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer can explain how district’s laws and regulations impact someone’s eligibility for different types of asbestos claims.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Washington, D.C.

Some mesothelioma lawsuits end with a jury’s court ruling (a verdict), but most end with a settlement.

A mesothelioma settlement occurs when the plaintiff and defendant come to an agreement about what the plaintiff should be awarded. Settlements take place out of court.

According to recent industry reports, the average mesothelioma settlement is between $1 million to $1.4 million. The average mesothelioma verdict is between $5 and $11.4 million.

Mesothelioma settlements are usually:

Faster
Less expensive
Not as risky as trial verdicts

Hiring a Washington, D.C. mesothelioma attorney to file your lawsuit is the best way to pursue compensation for you or a loved one.

Statutes of Limitations in Washington, D.C.

A statute of limitations determines how long an injured person has to file a legal claim. If the statute of limitations passes, a lawsuit can never be filed.

These laws vary by location and other factors, so they can be hard to understand without a lawyer’s help.

Your Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer will gather the facts of your case and file your lawsuit — if it falls within the statute of limitations.

Asbestos Trust Funds in Washington, D.C.

If the statute of limitations has passed, you may still be able to receive compensation from asbestos trust funds.

As of today, asbestos trust funds contain more than $30 billion in compensation.

These trusts are funded by companies to help pay future claims, so state statutes do not apply. Asbestos trusts have the freedom to establish their own rules related to filing deadlines, which often work in favor of patients.

See if you can file an asbestos trust fund claim by speaking with a Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer.

Asbestos Rules and Regulations in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. follows the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos.

Those seeking an asbestos abatement or removal permit must:

Complete an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) course on asbestos removal
Comply with the Asbestos Licensing and Control Act of 1990 OR
Hold a license from another state with training at least as rigorous as that of the District of Columbia

Regulatory codes mandate that asbestos removal employers provide employees with training, as well as protective clothing, gloves, respirators, and hair covering, as endorsed by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

A Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer can see how these laws and rules might affect your lawsuit.

VA Information for Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Patients

U.S. veterans from Washington, D.C. are at a high risk of mesothelioma since every branch of the military used asbestos-based products until the early 1980s.

One-third of all mesothelioma patients today are veterans, and roughly 6,000 veterans died from the disease between 1999 and 2005 alone.

Washington, D.C. VA Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) understands the hardships veterans with mesothelioma face. As the largest provider of benefits and services for veterans, the VA can help veterans find additional relief.

Notable VA benefits include:

Aid and attendance
Coverage of burial expenses
Health care
Pension plans

Some of the best mesothelioma doctors also work with the VA to treat veterans.

Two well-known VA mesothelioma doctors are:

Disclaimer

Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.

In Washington, D.C., the following offices and facilities may be able to help:

Veterans Benefits Administration

Bolling Air Force Base
Coast Guard
Pentagon (Air Force)
Washington. D.C. National Capital Regional Office

VA Medical Centers

Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

Community Clinic-Southeast
Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC)

Veterans Centers

Washington, D.C. Veterans Center

A Washington, D.C. mesothelioma attorney can start your VA benefits claim by gathering all of the details of your case and any required supporting documents.

When your claim is ready to be filed, you can reach out to a local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to complete the process.

AML and VFW Service Officers in Washington, D.C.

Veterans Service Officers who are part of organizations like the American Legion (AML) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are trained to help veterans apply for federal and state benefits.

Washington, D.C. houses nearly 2,540 veterans service offices. A few examples include:

American Legion
American Red Cross
Disabled American Veterans
Military Order of the Purple Heart
National Association of County Veterans Services
National Veterans Legal Services Program
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Veterans of Foreign Affairs
Veterans of World War I
Vietnam Veterans of America
Virginia Department of Veterans Services

Veterans can reach out to these offices to work with a VSO and file a VA claim. They can also connect with a Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer to file a lawsuit.

Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide today to learn if and how you can access financial assistance for an asbestos-related illness.

Get in Touch With a Washington, D.C. Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should work with an experienced Washington, D.C. mesothelioma attorney to pursue compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

An experienced Washington, D.C. mesothelioma lawyer can help you:

Determine how you may have been exposed to asbestos
File your mesothelioma lawsuit
Research both state and local agencies that may provide additional resources
Understand the statute of limitations in Washington, D.C.

To find out more — and to learn if you may be eligible for compensation — get a free case review right now.

Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Simmons Hanly Conroy Attorney

Reviewed by:Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Partner, Simmons Hanly Conroy

Fact-Checked
Legal Editor

Melissa Crowe Schopfer is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Over the past 10 years, Melissa has worked on over 500 cases and recovered more than $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of her clients. She has represented families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases in almost every state.

Asbestos Trial Team Leader
Practicing Attorney for 15+ Years
Has Recovered Over $100 Million

Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RN

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

ReferencesLast modified: 17 Mar 2024

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