California Mesothelioma Lawyer

California ranks number one among all U.S. states for deaths caused by mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses. Most of these cases are a result of asbestos exposure on job sites. Many victims are now fighting for justice with the help of a California mesothelioma lawyer.

There is currently more than $30 billion available in trust funds for those affected by an asbestos-related illness. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis,  you may be entitled to significant compensation. Complete our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced California mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

We can offer legal assistance to families in all California cities and towns, including these:

Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Oxnard, Fontana, Moreno, Valley, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Garden Grove, Oceanside, Santa Rosa, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Elk Grove, Lancaster, Corona, Palmdale, Salinas, Hayward, Pomona, Escondido, Sunnyvale, Torrance, Orange, Pasadena, Fullerton, Thousand Oaks, Visalia, Roseville, Simi Valley, Concord, Victorville, Santa Clara, Vallejo, Berkeley, El Monte, Downey, Costa Mesa, Inglewood, Carlsbad, Fairfield, Ventura, West Covina, Richmond, Murrieta, Antioch, Temecula, Norwalk, Daly City, Burbank, Santa Maria, El Cajon, Rialto, San Mateo, Clovis, Jurupa Valley, Compton, Vista, Mission Viejo, South Gate, Vacaville, Carson, Santa Monica, Hesperia, Westminster, Redding, Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Chico, San Leandro, Newport Beach, Whittier, Hawthorne, Citrus Heights, Livermore, Tracy Alhambra, Indio, Menifee, Buena Park, Hemet, Lakewood, Merced, Chino, and more.

Do I Need a California Asbestos Lawyer?

If you were exposed to asbestos in the state, believe you may have been exposed, or have been diagnosed with a related illness, you need a lawyer for several reasons:

• Federal and California state laws regarding asbestos are complicated.
• A lawyer experienced in asbestos cases can explain your options.
• The right lawyer will know how to investigate and prove where your asbestos exposure occurred and the companies responsible.
• California laws encourage fast-tracking and settlements. You need a lawyer to negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement amount.
• You have just one year from when you discovered you have an asbestos illness to file a lawsuit.

Understanding Asbestos and Its Link to Mesothelioma in California

The Connection Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its durability and resistance to heat and electricity. These properties made asbestos a popular choice in a variety of household and industrial products, including roofing materials, insulation, automobile components, and more. However, asbestos fibers pose significant health risks when they are inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, these fibers can cause mesothelioma, a form of cancer that typically takes decades to manifest, often appearing 10 to 50 years after initial exposure.

Asbestos Use Across Industries

The extensive use of asbestos spanned multiple sectors, from manufacturing and construction to shipbuilding and steel production. This widespread application led to millions of American workers encountering asbestos in their daily lives, with many unaware of the long-term dangers.

The Situation in California

California, with its bustling industrial activities, was not exempt from asbestos exposure. Numerous residents and workers have been exposed, raising significant health concerns across the state. The complexity of identifying specific exposure sites has increased the challenge for individuals seeking justice and compensation for asbestos-related diseases.

Key Facts About Asbestos Exposure

• Extensive Product Use: Over 3,000 products were historically manufactured with asbestos.
• Health Risks: Asbestos exposure has been linked to severe diseases, including mesothelioma.
• National Impact: More than a million workers across the U.S. faced exposure risks, with many still dealing with health repercussions.

In short, while the effort to control and eliminate asbestos use has made significant strides, its legacy continues to impact California residents and workers, prompting the need for legal and medical support for those affected.

Filing a Claim for Mesothelioma in California

Filing a lawsuit or claim for mesothelioma and asbestos exosure is complicated. Your first step should be to find the right lawyer. Look for an attorney in a large firm with expertise in handling and winning asbestos lawsuits. These cases often involve different states, so a nationwide firm is essential.

The right lawyer will explain your options and take the next steps for you. If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, they will make the filing, respond to the defendants, investigate and build your case, and seek a fair settlement. If necessary, they will take your case to trial for a jury verdict and award.

Moreover, they will handle every step of the legal process on your behalf, ensuring you can focus on your health and well-being. You can rest easy knowing that you won’t incur any legal fees unless your case results in compensation. This contingency fee structure eliminates financial risk and makes it easier for you to pursue justice.

Accessibility is key, and these legal professionals are committed to meeting you wherever and whenever it’s most convenient. Initial consultations are free, allowing you to explore your options without any obligation. With such comprehensive support and client-focused service, you can feel confident in your choice to seek legal assistance.

Your lawyer can also determine if you are eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust fund. If any companies that exposed you to asbestos went bankrupt, you cannot sue them. You can make a claim with a trust for the compensation you need.

What Are the Costs Associated with Hiring a Mesothelioma Attorney in California?

When considering legal representation for a mesothelioma case in California, you may worry about the financial implications. Fortunately, many mesothelioma attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This approach means that you won’t face any initial or out-of-pocket expenses.

1. No Upfront Costs: You can start your legal journey without any financial anxiety because there’s typically no requirement to pay upfront fees.
2. Pay Only on Success: Attorneys practicing under this model only receive payment if they win your case and secure compensation on your behalf. This outcome-based payment structure aligns their interests with yours, providing an incentive to achieve the best possible outcome.
3. Transparent Fee Agreements: Before proceeding, it’s crucial to discuss and understand the contingency fee percentage, which is usually a portion of the recovered compensation. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of financial commitment if the case is successful.

By choosing a mesothelioma attorney in California who operates on this basis, you can focus on your case without the stress of financial strain.

Understanding Our Payment Structure for Mesothelioma Cases

When dealing with the financial uncertainties of a mesothelioma diagnosis, knowing how a law firm charges for its services can ease some burdens. Our firm offers a payment structure specifically designed to prioritize your peace of mind:

• No Initial Costs: You won’t face any upfront fees when you choose to work with us. Starting your case doesn’t require any initial payment, allowing you to focus on treatment and recovery.
• Contingency Fee Basis: Our services are rendered on a contingency fee basis, meaning our payment is contingent upon the successful recovery of compensation. In simple terms, we only receive a fee if we win your case.
• Zero Out-of-Pocket Expenses During the Case: While your case is ongoing, you won’t be responsible for any out-of-pocket legal expenses. This ensures that financial concerns do not hinder access to top-tier legal representation.

This approach ensures that legal assistance is accessible without the pressure of immediate financial commitments. Your focus can remain where it should be — on your health and well-being.

When you engage with a mesothelioma law firm, you gain access to a dedicated personal legal team. Each senior attorney is part of a focused group that includes experienced attorneys, skilled legal staff, and knowledgeable registered nurses. This collaborative team approach ensures that your case receives the individualized attention it deserves.

Here’s how they support you:

• Personalized Guidance: By working closely with a small team, you’re assured of tailored advice that directly addresses the intricacies of your case.
• Comprehensive Support: The presence of registered nurses on the team guarantees that your medical issues and needs are well understood and integrated into the legal strategy.
• Expert Navigation: Experienced attorneys provide a robust defense and thorough understanding of mesothelioma-related legal matters, ensuring your case is managed with expertise.

This structure ensures that as your case develops, you continue to receive the dedicated, personalized service you need.

Is Travel Required for Clients Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in California?

For those concerned about the need to travel when filing a mesothelioma claim in California, the answer is generally no.

Our experienced legal team prioritizes convenience for clients by visiting them wherever they are. Meetings can be arranged at clients’ homes or any location they prefer, ensuring comfort and ease throughout the process.

While it’s challenging to promise that travel will never be part of the proceedings, it is uncommon for clients to be required to leave their local area to pursue compensation. The majority of interactions, documentation, and communications can often be managed remotely or in nearby locations, aiming to minimize any travel obligations.

In short, while a small degree of travel might occasionally be needed, it is typically kept to a minimum, ensuring clients can focus on their health and well-being.

Top California Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

Top California Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

Taking legal action for mesothelioma is worthwhile. Your lawyer can help you recover significant damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. These are just a few examples of successful lawsuits that brought victims in California justice and compensation.

$13 Million for Talcum Powder Exposure

An emerging source of asbestos exposure is contaminated talcum powder products. Companies like Johnson & Johnson are facing thousands of lawsuits from people who used their products for years and developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.

In 2015, a California jury awarded Judith Winkel $13 million. She developed mesothelioma after years of using several talc products. Four companies were involved in the lawsuit.

Notable Settlements Across California

Beyond high-profile cases, numerous other settlements underscore the diversity and breadth of successful legal actions in California:

• $15 Million: Secondhand exposure victim in Livermore demonstrates the severe impact of indirect asbestos contact.
• $7.2 Million: Achieved for a laborer and wire installer in Lancaster, highlighting occupational risks.
• $5.6 Million: For an airline industry worker in Santa Barbara, showcasing industry-specific exposure.

$700,000 for Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

Military veterans have some of the highest rates of asbestos exposure. They were affected by asbestos use in all military branches and in all states, including California. Navy veterans were most affected, but civilian workers were also exposed.

One man who worked at the Moore Dry Dock Company in Vallejo, California, died from mesothelioma. His family recovered $700,000.

Extensive Settlements for Varied Professions

The legal landscape is rich with cases that span various professions and exposure scenarios:

• $7.5 Million: For a brick tender and laborer in Lakewood.
• $5.1 Million: For a union HVAC worker in Sacramento.
• $4.3 Million: To a logger in Camarillo.
• $3.5 Million: For a union carpenter and U.S. Navy veteran in Fairfield.

$48 Million for Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

A Los Angeles jury awarded a man $48 million after he developed mesothelioma from secondhand exposure. His father worked for Liberty Utilities Corp. and brought asbestos home on his clothing. The jury ruled that the company had a duty to warn workers of the risks of secondary exposure.

These cases illustrate the significant compensation that victims of asbestos exposure can achieve, reflecting the unique stories and circumstances of each individual. The potential for substantial settlements underscores the importance of pursuing legal action with experienced counsel.

Where Did Asbestos Exposure Occur in California?

Several companies and industries in California used large amounts of asbestos from the early 1900s until the 1970s. These included:

• Construction
• Shipbuilding
• Automobile manufacturing
• Electronics
• The military
• Other industries

Why Are Asbestos Exposure Rates So High in California?

There are several reasons that California residents, even today, are especially vulnerable to mesothelioma and other illnesses related to asbestos:

• During World War II, California was home to aircraft factories, radar, and radio equipment manufacturers, shipyards, and automobile plants that used asbestos.
• Many military men and women who served between World War II and the mid-1970s experienced asbestos exposure during active duty. Veterans are particularly vulnerable to mesothelioma.
• Thousands of residential developments still have asbestos. The state’s population boom that led to many new construction projects occurred during the decades of peak asbestos use in the industry.
• California has some of the highest levels of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in the U.S. NOA deposits are harmless if they remain undisturbed. The effects of earthquakes and human activity stir up asbestos fibers and release them into the air.

Construction in California Triggered High Mesothelioma Rates

The rapid increase in California’s population since the 1940s caused rapid economic expansion. It also led to a rise in mesothelioma cases. The post-World War II construction boom resulted in the widespread use of asbestos.

The fire resistance and heat resistance of asbestos made it desirable for construction materials. Many buildings, including homes, schools, offices, and industrial factories, still have asbestos in them for this reason.

Workers who handled drywall, insulation, roofing materials, steam pipes, plumbing materials, electrical wiring, and many other building materials faced serious exposure risks during the boom in construction and building.

Some of the asbestos used during California’s construction boom came from natural deposits in the state. the Coalinga Asbestos Mine operated in the 1960s and 1970s.

Which California Companies Used Asbestos?

Many electric companies, automobiles, aviation, electronics equipment, computer science, mining companies, and chemical industries used asbestos in materials and components. These are some examples of the worst offenders.

California Zonolite

California Zonolite processed a mineral called vermiculite. Its facilities received multiple shipments of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the infamous W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana.

The mine produced and distributed contaminated minerals for decades before it ceased operations. A California Zonolite plant in Glendale is just one example of a facility that put workers and nearby residents at risk of asbestos exposure.

Other Companies That Used Asbestos in California

Some of the many other companies known to have used asbestos in the state include:

• Bell Asbestos Mines, Ltd.
• Boeing
• Calaveras Asbestos, Ltd
• California Naval Shipyard
• Chevron
• Chrysler
• Ford Motor Company
• Honeywell International
• Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
• King City Asbestos Company (KCAC)
• Moore Dry Dock
• North American Aviation
• Pacific Gas & Electric
• Rockwell
• Southern California Edison
• San Diego Gas & Electric
• Union Carbide
• U.S. Steel

What Are California’s Asbestos Safety Laws?

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Title 8 sets guidelines for each industry for the reduction of asbestos exposure, for minimum air quality, and for asbestos exposure documentation.

Under Subchapter 7 of Title 8, Section 5208 of the California Code of Regulations, there are several laws related to the abatement, handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos within the state:

• The law sets breathing exposure limits for all affected employees.
• Employees working around asbestos must be monitored.
• Employees must be professionally trained in working around and handling asbestos.
• Facility and building owners must determine the location and amount of any existing asbestos.
• Warning signs and postings that clearly convey asbestos in the work area must be posted in the vicinity of the workplace.
• Protective clothing and respirators must be provided to and worn at all times by workers around asbestos. Tools and equipment must also be cleaned.

For more detailed information, you can contact the California Department of Industrial Regulations at 510-286-7000.

New California Law Supports Families of Asbestos Victims

Beginning in 2022, California law allows families to collect damages for pain and suffering. Previously, laws in the state prevented families from receiving these non-economic damages if their loved one died before the conclusion of their personal injury trial.

The new law ends the restriction and allows families to recover more damages in civil lawsuits related to asbestos. Talk to a California mesothelioma lawyer about what you may be eligible to receive if you lost a loved one to asbestos.

California Statute of Limitations on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cases

The Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 states that asbestos-related cases in California must be filed separately from personal injury cases. Asbestos cases also have different statutes of limitations.

The plaintiffs filing an asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuit must do so within one year of the first signs of the condition or within one year after the victim should have reasonably received a diagnosis.

Wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within one year of the victim’s death.

It is important to work with an experienced asbestos lawyer if filing a related case, as it is easy to miss the window of opportunity without that expertise and knowledge of the laws.

His meticulous attention to detail and expertise ensured our case was handled swiftly and efficiently. What truly impressed us was Paul’s responsiveness—he was always quick to reply and kept us well-informed throughout.

I highly recommend Mesothelioma Lawyer Center.

–Patrick M

Getting California Legal Help

Keep in mind that you may qualify for substantial damages if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for info on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.