Washington DC Asbestos Lawyer

At Cohen & Cohen, we represent individuals and families affected by asbestos-related diseases. As a Washington DC asbestos lawyer with decades of hands-on experience, our team understands the difficult road clients face after a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Many of our clients are just beginning to piece together how and where they were exposed. We’re here to provide support and take legal action on their behalf, so they can focus on their health and loved ones.

Asbestos Lawyer Washington DC

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in insulation, construction materials, and manufacturing due to its fire resistance. However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. These diseases often take years—sometimes decades—to develop, which makes it challenging for many individuals to pinpoint when or where their exposure occurred.

People most at risk include construction workers, shipyard employees, mechanics, military veterans, and even individuals who lived with someone who brought fibers home on their clothing. Property owners and employers often failed to warn workers or implement safety measures, putting countless lives at risk.

By the time symptoms appear, the illness is often advanced, and victims are left with staggering medical costs and the emotional toll of a life-altering diagnosis. At that point, people aren’t looking for an explanation—they need real legal help. That’s where we come in.

At our firm, we handle a wide range of asbestos-related cases involving:

• Long-term occupational exposure in construction, shipbuilding, and military service
• Secondary exposure from contaminated clothing or household products

Victims of asbestos exposure often want more than financial compensation—they want accountability from the companies that failed to protect them. Legal action can provide both.

Our Firm’s Experience With Asbestos Cases Matters

We’ve handled a wide range of asbestos-related claims, including some of the most difficult and time-sensitive cases. Our track record includes securing substantial settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients and their families who’ve suffered due to negligent asbestos exposure.

Our attorneys have deep knowledge of how asbestos exposure occurred across industries and time periods. We use that insight to trace exposure history, identify liable parties, and build strong cases that give our clients the best chance of a successful outcome. We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Speak With A Legal Advocate Today

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, don’t wait to take action. A Washington DC asbestos lawyer from our team is ready to help you understand your rights and begin the legal process. Call Cohen & Cohen today for a free consultation. Let us help you hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Types of Asbestos Cases We Handle

Workplace asbestos exposure is one of the most common reasons people contact us. Many workers were exposed on the job decades ago, often without any warning or protective equipment. Common industries include construction, shipbuilding, power plants, automotive work, and manufacturing. Asbestos-containing materials were widely used in insulation, roofing, pipes, gaskets, and other industrial products.

We regularly represent clients who developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis after years of service in these environments. In some cases, clients were exposed during military service or while working for government contractors. Even workers in office buildings, schools, and hospitals may have been exposed if asbestos materials were disturbed during maintenance or renovations.

Claims From Exposure at Home or Secondhand

Not all asbestos exposure happened on the job site. Family members of workers were often exposed to fibers brought home on clothing, tools, or even in vehicles. We’ve handled claims for spouses, children, and others who developed illness through secondhand contact.

Older homes may also contain asbestos in ceiling tiles, insulation, or floor tiles. If these materials are damaged or disturbed, the fibers can become airborne and inhaled. We’ve helped homeowners and tenants pursue claims after exposure from renovation work or improper handling of asbestos materials during construction projects.

Legal Action After Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer almost always linked to asbestos. It often takes 20 to 50 years after exposure for symptoms to appear, which means many clients have long since left the job where exposure occurred.

Because of the aggressive nature of the disease, timely legal help is important. Our firm works quickly to review employment history, identify products and materials involved, and file claims within legal deadlines. We help clients and their families pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain caused by this preventable illness.

Asbestos Claims After a Loved One Passes

In cases where someone has died due to mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, surviving family members may have legal options. These wrongful death claims can provide financial compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the income the person would have provided.

We understand how difficult it can be to take legal steps while grieving. That’s why we handle the details and paperwork so our clients can focus on their families.

Cases Involving Asbestos in Public or Commercial Buildings

We also assist people who were exposed in schools, apartment buildings, government facilities, or commercial properties. Building owners and contractors have a duty to manage asbestos safely. When they fail to do so, and someone becomes ill as a result, legal action may be appropriate.

Whether exposure happened while attending school, living in public housing, or working in a commercial space, we help clients investigate and pursue claims when unsafe conditions led to harm.

7 Common Causes Our Asbestos Lawyers May Investigate

Exposure to asbestos doesn’t always happen in ways people expect. For many of our clients, it takes years to connect the dots between where they lived, worked, or spent time—and the cause of their illness. At Cohen & Cohen, we’ve worked with individuals and families who were exposed in all types of environments. By understanding the most common sources of asbestos, we can better identify when exposure may have occurred and pursue legal action on behalf of our clients.

Asbestos in Construction Materials

For decades, asbestos was widely used in building materials because of its durability and heat resistance. It can still be found in insulation, roofing shingles, ceiling tiles, joint compounds, and cement. Workers involved in demolition, remodeling, or even routine maintenance may have unknowingly released fibers into the air, where they could be inhaled or ingested.

Occupational Exposure on Industrial Sites

Industrial sites—such as factories, refineries, and power plants—are common environments where workers were exposed to asbestos-containing equipment and insulation. Boilers, turbines, pipes, and valves often included asbestos to withstand high heat. In many cases, employers failed to provide adequate protection or warnings, putting workers at long-term risk.

Asbestos in Military Service

Military veterans, especially those in the Navy, were often exposed to asbestos during service. Ships, submarines, barracks, and military vehicles contained asbestos in insulation and engine components. We’ve helped many veterans trace their illness back to their time in uniform and pursue compensation through both VA benefits and legal claims.

Household Exposure From Contaminated Clothing

We’ve handled numerous cases involving secondhand asbestos exposure. This happens when a worker unknowingly brings asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, or tools. Family members—especially spouses and children—may breathe in those fibers over time, leading to illness years later. These cases are especially tragic because the exposure was completely preventable.

Products That Contained Asbestos

Many consumer products contained asbestos before regulations limited its use. Brake pads, gaskets, hairdryers, talcum powder, and even some home appliances were manufactured with asbestos. People who used or worked with these items regularly may have been exposed without realizing the risks.

We often see exposure linked to:

• Automotive repair (brake and clutch work)
• Home improvement tools and materials
• Personal care products like talc-based powders

Asbestos in Schools and Public Buildings

Asbestos was used in thousands of public buildings built before the 1980s, including schools, courthouses, and government offices. Improper renovation or lack of maintenance in these buildings can release fibers into the air, affecting teachers, students, maintenance staff, and others. In some cases, exposure happened over many years due to neglect.

Natural Occurrence and Disturbed Soil

In certain areas, asbestos is naturally present in soil and rock. Construction, mining, or landscaping in these regions can disturb the ground and release harmful fibers into the air. While less common in urban areas, it can still pose a risk during excavation or land development.

Washington Asbestos Infographic

Washington DC Asbestos FAQ

Asbestos exposure can have serious and often permanent effects on a person’s health. Used for decades in construction, shipbuilding, and other industries, asbestos was once valued for its heat resistance and durability. What many didn’t realize until later was that inhaling asbestos fibers could lead to severe medical conditions like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos, legal options may be available. This page offers answers to common legal and medical questions related to asbestos exposure and your rights.

Who is at risk for asbestos-related illness?

People most at risk for asbestos-related diseases are often those who worked in construction, demolition, shipyards, or older manufacturing facilities. Electricians, pipefitters, mechanics, and those involved in home renovation may have been exposed while handling insulation, ceiling tiles, or other building materials. In some cases, family members were exposed secondhand when fibers were carried home on clothing. Buildings constructed before the 1980s in areas like Washington, DC still pose a risk if asbestos materials become disturbed during repairs or remodeling.

What health problems are linked to asbestos?

The most serious health condition linked to asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs. Other common illnesses include asbestosis (a chronic lung condition caused by scarring), lung cancer, and cancers of the larynx and ovaries. Symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years after exposure, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Common signs include shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent coughing. Once diagnosed, treatment options depend on the severity and type of illness.

Why should someone file a legal claim after exposure?

Filing a legal claim helps cover the high cost of treatment, which often includes surgery, chemotherapy, and other forms of long-term care. It also provides financial support for lost wages, pain, and suffering. In many cases, companies knew the risks associated with asbestos but failed to warn or protect workers. Legal action holds these companies accountable and gives victims and their families a way to recover damages. Claims can also help surviving family members if the person diagnosed has passed away due to asbestos-related illness.

How can legal support assist with an asbestos case?

An experienced legal team can help collect work history, medical documentation, and product exposure evidence to build a clear case. At Cohen & Cohen, we help individuals affected by Washington DC asbestos exposure understand their legal options. These cases often involve multiple job sites, manufacturers, or product suppliers, so strong documentation and timely filing are important. Our role includes gathering necessary records, working with medical professionals, and handling communication with companies or insurance providers. The goal is to secure fair compensation for the harm caused by prolonged exposure.

Who can file a claim related to asbestos exposure?

Anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness who can trace their exposure to a workplace, building, or product may be able to file a personal injury claim. If the person has passed away, family members may file a wrongful death claim. Claims can also be filed by military veterans who were exposed during their service, especially those who worked in shipyards or on naval vessels. Because these claims are time-sensitive, it’s important to act as soon as a diagnosis is made and exposure history becomes clear.

Talk With Our Lawyer About Your Exposure

If any of these sources sound familiar, it may be worth speaking with a legal professional. A Washington DC asbestos lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can evaluate your potential claim and help identify the most likely source of exposure. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re here to help you take the next step forward.