We represent individuals with serious illness caused by asbestos. That means mesothelioma, which is caused only by asbestos, lung cancer (which is caused by asbestos, but cigarette smoking can also be involved) and severe asbestosis (a “benign” scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos). We litigate cases against companies that made asbestos products. Most of the cases we take to court settle, although we have the tenacity and resources to see a case through trial, if necessary.
Deep personal commitment to clients. We care deeply about our clients and work very hard on every case, whether the ultimate compensation is modest or more substantial. We know the facts about mesothelioma and asbestos and have successfully represented hundreds of people and families harmed by asbestos exposure.
Investigation of product(s) that caused the illness. Sometimes a person can be exposed to asbestos even though they don’t work directly with the product. That means they often have no idea what the products were that caused their disease. For example, on a construction site, an electrician may work in the vicinity of someone using joint compound with asbestos in it or a welder on a ship may work near an asbestos insulation worker. They have exposure, but they don’t know to what products. Additionally, asbestos diseases typically have a long latency period, or period between exposure to asbestos and getting an asbestos disease. This period can be anywhere from 20-50 years. Witnesses to the exposure are often dead and documentary evidence has been destroyed.
SGB can help by finding evidence of exposure through our extensive databank and library of information about
asbestos exposure at job sites throughout Washington. Because we have been involved in so many asbestos cases, we have recorded statements from many workers detailing all of the asbestos products used at job sites in Washington, particularly at shipyards such as PSNS, Todd and Lockheed, and at major industrial sites such as Hanford, paper mills, and steam plants. We also have relationships with many witnesses who are still alive who can identify products at a given job site.
Resolution of claims against bankrupt companies. Many of the asbestos companies have gone into bankruptcy. Nonetheless, some of these companies have funds to pay out claims even though they are in bankruptcy. We have won millions of dollars for our clients through claims filed with bankrupt companies. Our knowledge of asbestos exposure throughout Washington enables us to provide with the necessary proof to file a claim.
Emphasis on timely litigation. We know that many of our clients do not have a lot of time to wait for litigation to drag on. We are aggressive in seeking early trial dates for our clients who are diagnosed with cancer. This means we often start getting settlements for our clients in a matter of a few months. We also have an efficient claims department which is usually able to collect money from bankrupt companies within a few months after a client comes to us.
Innovative approaches to cases. We have won many cases through innovative legal theories that we have successfully pursued through the appellate courts.
