Many top national mesothelioma law firms have offices in California, including in Los Angeles, San Diego, Pasadena and San Francisco. California is a leading state for asbestos litigation. An experienced California mesothelioma lawyer can help plaintiffs seek compensation for asbestos exposure.
Written by Joe Lahav, Esquire | Legally Reviewed By Samuel Meirowitz | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: November 6, 2024
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Written by Joe Lahav, Esquire | Legally Reviewed By Samuel Meirowitz | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: November 6, 2024
California has long been one of the leading jurisdictions for asbestos lawsuit filings, which include personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits. This state’s laws are generally considered favorable for asbestos lawsuits, leading to yearly increases in new in-state and out-of-state claimants filing.
In response, California courts have taken measures to manage large asbestos caseloads and expedite claims. For example, “fast-track” scheduling allows mesothelioma cases to go to trial within 120 days. Some California judges encourage parties to resolve cases quickly through settlement.
Ranked 8th
National ranking position of Los Angeles, California, for asbestos claim filings in 2022.
Source: KCIC
The statute of limitations in California sets a deadline for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. A California qualified mesothelioma attorney can determine how these deadlines apply to your specific mesothelioma case.
An attorney can help you file a mesothelioma claim for compensation in California or another state. Look for a nationwide asbestos firm that has a strong record of success in California. In addition to lawsuits, you may qualify to file asbestos trust fund claims.
Get help finding an attorney who knows the process and can get you and your family the compensation you deserve.
Get Help NowCalifornia ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths. Medical centers in California reported about 292 mesothelioma cases in 2020, the most recent year this data is available.
It has the most naturally occurring asbestos of any state in the country. California also led the nation in shipyard asbestos exposure during World War II and after.
During the peak of U.S. asbestos use, many mines and processing plants developed around California’s countless asbestos deposits. Most of these locations closed in the 1990s or early 2000s.
Many veterans have been exposed to asbestos in California shipyards, such as Long Beach Naval Shipyard, and military bases. Veterans who develop asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma may file a VA claim for benefits and have access to VA health care for mesothelioma treatment in California.
California mesothelioma lawyers have helped people in the state get compensation for many types of asbestos exposure. Most cases are based on occupational asbestos exposure or exposure that happened when veterans served in the armed forces.
Undeterred by the hurdles, D.G. Blackburn approached his mesothelioma treatment with a can-do attitude, saying, “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.” He endured four rounds of chemotherapy under the care of the esteemed Dr. An Uche at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California.
Asbestos exposure in California has primarily occurred in industrial and commercial sectors. Multiple industries used the mineral because it’s resistant to high heat temperatures and chemical corrosion.
High Asbestos Exposure CA Industries
Former construction workers, shipyard workers and veterans are particularly at risk. Children and spouses may also be able to file a lawsuit if they develop mesothelioma because of secondary asbestos exposure.
Courts have also held companies that sell dangerous consumer products liable for mesothelioma claims. Recent cases involve asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.
Exposure to asbestos in California has primarily taken place at industrial job sites. These include chemical plants, manufacturing plants, power plants, construction sites and shipyards.
Some of these companies operated asbestos mines, such as Union Carbide, or processed asbestos ore into usable fibers. Exposure in these settings was extremely high and many workers got sick because they worked directly with raw asbestos.
J.T. Thorpe and other manufacturing plants that incorporated asbestos fibers into products also directly exposed workers to the toxic mineral. Other companies indirectly exposed employees who handled or worked around asbestos-containing materials.
Lawyers at a national mesothelioma law firm like Weitz & Luxenberg or Simmons Hanly Conroy specialize in asbestos litigation and have offices in California. These California asbestos lawyers understand federal asbestos regulations and the state’s statutes.
Most nationwide mesothelioma law firms have office locations in California. For example, Weitz & Luxenberg has an office in Los Angeles. Cooney & Conway has several offices in central and Southern California, including Pasadena and San Diego. Simmons Hanly Conroy has offices in San Francisco and El Segundo, California.
The best asbestos firms in California have attorneys with the background to explain how California’s laws affect your case. These firms also handle cases throughout the country, which means they can file your claim in another state if your case doesn’t have jurisdiction in California.
Californians with asbestos-related diseases should choose a nationwide asbestos law firm for the experience and reach that other firms can’t match. Some top firms may not have offices in the state but have licensed California asbestos attorneys who will travel to you. These firms are sensitive to the health issues related to mesothelioma and won’t ask you to travel.
If your exposure to asbestos occurred outside of California, or the company responsible has its headquarters elsewhere, you may need to file a claim in another state. A nationwide law firm can help.
For example, an Illinois court awarded the estate of California resident Bruce Torgerson nearly $41 million in damages after his daughter’s wrongful death claim faced jurisdiction issues in California. Torgerson died of mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos in pipe coverings John Crane Inc. made.
Firms that practice nationwide have the knowledge and resources necessary to take on large corporations that acted negligently in exposing you or a loved one to asbestos.
A benefit of choosing a nationwide asbestos law firm is that they’ll come to you if you don’t happen to live near an office. They travel to their clients regularly to conduct depositions and won’t charge you for such travel expenses.
Choosing the right California asbestos attorney means selecting the most experienced legal representation for your specific type of case. Reputable firms are transparent about their track record in California courts.
Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center, for example, can help match you with the right firm for your individual needs and that have experience handling claims with details like yours. This can include cases from identical job sites or lawsuits involving the same asbestos companies connected to your exposure.
Attorneys at Simmons Hanly Conroy in El Segundo, CA, for example, represented Norris and Lori Morgan following Mr. Morgan’s diagnosis of mesothelioma. The firm secured $15.2 million for the Morgans at trial against J-M Manufacturing.
When Johns-Manville went bankrupt in 1983, the court approved the sale of its asbestos pipe business to J-M Manufacturing and J-M A/C Pipe Corp. These companies remain liable for illnesses from Johns-Manville’s asbestos pipes.
These verdicts represent some of the highest compensation awarded at trial, but most mesothelioma lawsuits settle out of court. Asbestos law firms have secured mesothelioma settlements worth more than $1 million for clients.
California Asbestos Verdicts
After juries issue verdicts, some plaintiffs choose to settle with defendants to avoid a lengthy appeals process. For example, Anthony Hernandez Valadez settled with Johnson & Johnson in November 2023 for an undisclosed amount to halt the defendant’s appeals of an $18.8 million verdict an Oakland, California jury awarded.
The top mesothelioma law firms are also known to secure 6-figure payouts from trust funds for asbestos victims. Certain jurisdictions in California require plaintiffs to disclose trust fund claims when they file a lawsuit. An experienced California asbestos lawyer can offer guidance on what trust funds a patient may be eligible for.
A California patient we connected with a lawyer got compensation, allowing them to buy a home near their children.
California’s laws governing asbestos lawsuits and asbestos in the workplace are designed to establish a fair legal system and protect the public. Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, California Code of Civil Procedure and California Civil Code define these laws.
Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations requires employers to take specific steps to ensure proper air quality and document all levels of potential exposure. Title 8 also governs the registration and certification of asbestos contractors and consultants.
Key Facts About CA Asbestos Laws
Statutes of limitations and negligence laws also affect asbestos lawsuits in California. They define when a plaintiff can file a claim and who may be held liable.
Experienced law firms know how to navigate the state’s complex laws and regulations to help secure the maximum value of your individual case in California. It’s in your best interest to hire a top mesothelioma attorney to represent you against the companies that caused you or your loved one to develop mesothelioma.
The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies, peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations.
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Lahav, J. (2024, November 6). California Mesothelioma Lawyers. Asbestos.com. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/california/
Lahav, Joe. "California Mesothelioma Lawyers." Asbestos.com, 6 Nov 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/california/.
Lahav, Joe. "California Mesothelioma Lawyers." Asbestos.com. Last modified November 6, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/california/.
Managing Partner at Weitz & Luxenberg
Associate Attorney at Weitz & Luxenberg
Trial Attorney at Weitz & Luxenberg
Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
Managing Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy
Managing Partner at Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP
Partner at Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman
A mesothelioma lawyer who specializes in asbestos litigation reviewed the content on this page to ensure it is legally accurate.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
Samuel Meirowitz represents plaintiffs across the United States in mesothelioma and asbestos legal cases. He is a partner at the Manhattan-based Meirowitz & Wasserberg law firm.
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