Washington DC Asbestos Lawyer

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Recognized asbestos representation for injured clients throughout Washington, DC and the surrounding area.

Cohen & Cohen has represented injured plaintiffs in Washington, DC for more than 25 years, recovering over $300 million for clients across more than 10,000 cases. If you need a Washington, DC asbestos lawyer who understands toxic exposure claims, we offer free consultations and handle cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Asbestos Lawyer Washington, DC

Asbestos litigation is a distinct category of personal injury law involving claims against manufacturers, property owners, employers, and other parties who exposed workers or residents to asbestos-containing materials. These cases differ from typical injury claims because the harm doesn’t show up right away. Mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases can take 20 to 50 years to develop after initial exposure.

An asbestos attorney in DC investigates where and how you were exposed, identifies the responsible parties, and pursues compensation through the civil court system. The long latency period means these cases require specific knowledge of occupational history, industrial products, and the science behind asbestos-related illness.

Types of Asbestos Cases We Handle in Washington, DC

Asbestos exposure affects people differently depending on the duration of contact, the type of fiber involved, and the setting in which exposure occurred. Washington, DC is home to a large number of older federal and commercial buildings constructed before asbestos regulations took effect, which means exposure risks here are particularly significant.

• Mesothelioma claims. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. We pursue claims against the companies and property owners whose negligence led to our clients’ diagnoses.
• Lung cancer from asbestos. Long-term asbestos inhalation can cause lung cancer beyond mesothelioma. ATSDR health data confirm that asbestos exposure combined with smoking dramatically increases the risk. These cases often involve industrial or construction site exposure.
• Asbestosis claims. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers over time. It causes scarring in the lungs that makes breathing progressively harder. We represent workers and former workers diagnosed with asbestosis who were exposed on the job.
• Workplace injuries. Construction workers, electricians, plumbers, shipyard workers, and maintenance staff who worked in or around buildings with asbestos insulation face elevated risks. Many Washington, DC construction accidents involve latent toxic exposure that surfaces years later.
• Wrongful death. When a family member dies from mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. These cases address funeral expenses, lost income, and the loss of companionship.
• Government building exposure. Washington, DC’s federal buildings, older schools, and public infrastructure contain asbestos-containing materials. The EPA’s asbestos program has documented the widespread presence of asbestos in buildings constructed before the 1980s. Workers and visitors in these structures may have been unknowingly exposed.
• Product liability. Some asbestos cases involve defective products such as insulation, brake pads, roofing materials, and industrial equipment. When a manufacturer failed to warn consumers about the asbestos content, injured parties can pursue compensation.
• Secondary exposure claims. Family members of asbestos workers sometimes develop diseases after inhaling fibers brought home on clothing, shoes, or tools. We handle claims for individuals who were never in an industrial setting but still got sick.

Why Choose Cohen & Cohen for Asbestos Cases in Washington, DC?

A Record of Results in Serious Injury Cases

Cohen & Cohen has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury and wrongful death matters. Our track record across more than 10,000 cases demonstrates a sustained commitment to pursuing full compensation for injured people.

Wayne R. Cohen founded the firm in the early 1990s and has been practicing law since 1991. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest peer review rating available, and has been named among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer every year from 2009 through 2025. Beyond his trial practice, Wayne has taught trial advocacy as an Associate Professorial Lecturer of Law at GW Law School since 1993.

Kim Brooks-Rodney is an AV-rated attorney at Cohen & Cohen who focuses on product defects, automobile negligence, and medical malpractice. She was admitted to the D.C. Bar in 1986, holds admissions in Virginia and Maryland, and has recovered millions for clients through jury trials and settlements. Washingtonian Magazine named her one of “Washington’s Best Lawyers,” and she has been quoted by The Washington Post, MSNBC, and CNBC. Kim also represented families of victims from the 2009 Washington Metro crash.

For anyone searching for a personal injury lawyer in Washington, DC, our firm represents injured plaintiffs only. We do not represent insurance companies or corporations.

Contingency Fee Representation

We handle asbestos cases on a contingency basis. There are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This structure removes the financial barrier that often prevents injured individuals from holding negligent parties accountable.

Washington DC Asbestos Infographic

What Is Important to Understand About an Asbestos Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Asbestos Cases

Asbestos cases in Washington, DC allow injured plaintiffs to seek several categories of damages. The specific compensation depends on the severity of illness, the plaintiff’s work history, and the parties responsible.

Damages generally fall into two categories. Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses, while non-economic damages address the harm that doesn’t come with a receipt.

• Medical expenses, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering caused by the disease and its treatment
• Loss of consortium, which compensates a spouse for the loss of companionship
• Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases
• Loss of household services the injured person can no longer provide

Liability in asbestos cases typically falls on manufacturers who produced asbestos-containing products, employers who failed to protect workers, and property owners who did not properly manage or disclose asbestos. Multiple defendants often share liability.

Washington, DC follows a contributory negligence standard, which means that if the plaintiff is found even partially at fault for their own injury, they may be barred from recovery entirely. This makes it critical to work with an asbestos lawyer in DC who understands how to build a claim that addresses potential defenses early.

What Are Important Aspects of an Asbestos Case?

Asbestos litigation involves several factors that distinguish it from other injury claims.

The latency period is the most significant. Mesothelioma can develop 20 to 50 years after first exposure. That gap complicates evidence gathering and requires thorough investigation of the plaintiff’s occupational and residential history.

• Identifying the source of exposure, which may involve tracing employment records, building permits, and product records from decades earlier
• Connecting the diagnosis to the specific asbestos products or job sites through medical evidence and testimony
• Addressing claims against multiple defendants, since many plaintiffs were exposed at different locations over the course of their careers
• Managing the coordination of claims filed in different jurisdictions if exposure occurred across state lines
• Meeting the heightened evidentiary burden that comes with catastrophic injury claims involving long-latency diseases

What Is the Asbestos Case Timeline?

Asbestos cases move through several stages. The timeline varies depending on the number of defendants and whether the case settles or goes to trial.

• Initial consultation and case evaluation, during which we review your diagnosis, work history, and potential exposure sources
• Investigation and evidence gathering, involving employment records, medical records, product data, and depositions
• Filing the complaint in the appropriate D.C. court or federal court
• Discovery, during which both sides exchange evidence and take depositions
• Settlement negotiations, which may occur at any point
• Trial, if a settlement is not reached

Some cases resolve within a year. Others take longer.

What Should You Bring to Your Asbestos Consultation?

Before meeting with an asbestos attorney at Cohen & Cohen, gathering a few key documents can make the initial evaluation more productive.

• Your medical diagnosis, including pathology reports, imaging results, and treatment records
• A detailed work history listing every employer, job site, and occupation you held, especially those involving construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, or building maintenance
• Any documentation of the materials you worked with or around on the job
• Military service records, if applicable, since many veterans were exposed to asbestos during service

During the consultation, we’ll review your situation and explain your legal options. The initial consultation is free and confidential.

What Are Important Washington, DC Legal Resources for Asbestos Cases?

Understanding the legal framework for asbestos claims in Washington, DC starts with several foundational laws. These resources provide a starting point.

• Washington, DC’s statute of limitations for asbestos injury claims is governed by D.C. Code § 12-311.
• Washington, DC follows a pure contributory negligence standard. The D.C. Code § 12-301 outlines the general limitations periods for various civil actions in Washington, DC.
• OSHA’s asbestos standards govern workplace exposure limits and employer obligations regarding asbestos in general industry, construction, and maritime settings.
• The EPA asbestos regulations provide an overview of federal laws that restrict the use and handling of asbestos-containing materials.

Cohen & Cohen, Washington DC Asbestos Lawyer

1730 Rhode Island Ave NW # 410, Washington, DC 20036

Reach Out to Cohen & Cohen to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, the statute of limitations in DC sets firm deadlines on when you can file. We encourage you to reach out while your legal options remain open.

Cohen & Cohen handles all asbestos cases on a contingency basis. There are no fees unless we recover compensation. Contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Washington, DC asbestos attorney. Our firm responds to inquiries promptly.