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.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
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.
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.
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.
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.
$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.
$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.
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.
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.
