California Firm Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason Win Over One Million Dollar Settlement on Behalf of Washington Client Due to Mesothelioma Caused by

Sausalito, California (PRWEB) July 18, 2007 -- The California-based law firm of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason have recently settled the case of a Washington pipe fitter for more than $1,000,000.00, with additional compensation pending. The pipe fitter, age 70, worked from 1959 to 1992 in Port Angeles, Washington, in a now defunct pulp mill. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos (http://www.mesothelioma-attorney.com/PracticeAreas/Asbestos-Exposure.asp), in November of 1996. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed 20 to 30 years after a person is exposed to asbestos containing products.

Pipe fitters were typically exposed to asbestos because pipes were covered with asbestos material both to contain heat and to keep workers from being burned if they contacted the pipes. However, only those companies that actually supplied or manufactured the asbestos in question are legally responsible. Because the pipe fitter's asbestos exposure occurred so long ago, and the pulp mill had been closed for a number of years, determining which companies were responsible was very difficult.

According to Steven J. Patti, lead attorney in the case, due to the law firm's over two decades of experience in representing mesothelioma victims and their families, as well as the data the firm has compiled about asbestos companies, almost two dozen companies responsible for the asbestos products involved were identified. The total settlements have already exceeded $1,000,000.00. While the law firm is based in Sausalito, California, this case was filed in Washington state, where the pulp mill had been located and the asbestos exposure occurred.

Several more companies responsible for causing the pipe fitter's mesothelioma are currently undergoing bankruptcy reorganization. These companies will begin to pay settlements to claimants in the near future. These settlements will substantially add to the pipe fitter's total financial recovery. The case was filed at Superior Court, King County, State of Washington #06-2-02421-4SEA.

ABOUT CLAPPER, PATTI, SCHWEIZER & MASON

The lawyers at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason have been representing families coping with mesothelioma (http://www.mesothelioma-attorney.com/PracticeAreas/Mesothelioma.asp) and other diseases that result from asbestos exposure for over 25 years. The firms attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for asbestos and mesothelioma clients and their families across the United States. In addition to attorneys, the team includes paralegals, administrative staff, and asbestos industry investigators who work together to provide clients responsive, comprehensive representation. Initial case evaluation is always free.

ABOUT STEVEN J. PATTI

Steven J. Patti was recently named one of Northern California's "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics magazine. He has spent most of his legal career representing injured workers and their families, with a particular emphasis on mesothelioma and other asbestos cancer cases. An accomplished trial lawyer, Mr. Patti also works on all pre-trial phases of the cases handled by the firm. He has represented plaintiffs in individual trials, as well as in several consolidated actions involving multiple plaintiffs and defendants. He has tried several cases to verdicts in excess of a million dollars.

Mr. Patti has given presentations on asbestos litigation at national conferences of asbestos lawyers. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He received his bachelor's degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers' Association, the California Association of Consumer Attorneys, the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, and the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, among other professional organizations.

Visit Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason (http://www.mesothelioma-attorney.com) for more information or call 1-800-440-4262.

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