Our attorneys are experienced with both federal asbestos regulations and state statutes. We can provide you with the legal guidance you need to file an asbestos exposure lawsuit in California.
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in California
Between 1999 and 2013, more than 21,300 people in California died from asbestos-related diseases. Of these, nearly 4,000 deaths were due to mesothelioma. (1)
More than 1,500 people died from the asbestos-exposure disease asbestosis. In addition, nearly 16,000 people died from non-mesothelioma, asbestos-exposure lung cancer. (2)
Counties with the greatest number of deaths due to asbestos-related diseases were: (3)
- Los Angeles — 3,970.
- San Diego — 2,321.
- Orange — 1,906.
- Riverside —1,019.
California Asbestos Regulations
California has enacted a number of specific asbestos regulations. Our attorneys in California are experienced in these laws that govern how businesses and industries that use asbestos operate. (4)
In California, if you have been exposed to asbestos in shipyards, construction sites, manufacturing plants, or other high-risk fields,we are prepared to confront these companies. They will have highly experienced attorneys working for them, but we have made it our priority to know the asbestos regulations for California inside and out. (5)
Every company in California is also expected to follow regulations regarding asbestos waste disposal. In California, some types of asbestos-containing materials are regulated as hazardous waste. (6)
Specifically, asbestos material that can be reduced to a dust or powder “under hand pressure when dry” is considered hazardous waste. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you very likely breathed in asbestos dust or powder. (7)
Companies in California that failed to dispose of their asbestos-containing waste appropriately can be held responsible if you were exposed to their asbestos and developed an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to arrange for asbestos-waste testing, if necessary. (8)
Asbestos Mining in California
Asbestos can be found in the serpentine rock throughout California. (9) In the late 1950s, asbestos mining in California became big business. Estimates suggest California miners hauled roughly 1.6 million tons of asbestos from 1960 to 2002. (10)
This means Californians were exposed to poisonous asbestos dust for more than 40 years. While executives of companies reaped big profits largely for their building and insulation materials, the working miners were subjected to extremely hazardous working environments. (11)
While the mines may be empty now, California residents are still paying the price of prolonged exposure to asbestos since mesothelioma and other asbestos exposure illnesses can take decades to develop. Sadly, many hard-working families are facing devastating asbestos-related diseases. (12)
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California
Even though California gives its residents the right to file a safety complaint about hazardous working conditions, you may not receive the response or attention you deserve. (13) We promise that if you call one of our California mesothelioma attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg, we will pay attention to your situation.
We have made it our mission to pay attention to victims of asbestos exposure for more than 30 years. No one who has been injured by asbestos exposure should have to endure the consequences alone and unassisted.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos exposure disease in California, you have only one year from the date of that diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on your specific circumstances, this statute of limitations could vary. Seeking the guidance of an experienced California mesothelioma attorney is advised. (14)
Chances are you will need to work with your attorney to file lawsuits against numerous defendants. You may have been exposed to asbestos in more than one location or to products made by more than one manufacturer. Each and every company that failed to safeguard your health with proper warnings and precautions could be held responsible for your pain and suffering.
Asbestos California Verdicts & Settlements
Attorneys in our California office have been winning cases for clients for more than a decade. Thousands of victims of asbestos exposure have received compensation in the millions of dollars by hiring our firm
Experienced California W&L Attorneys
Our knowledgeable California asbestos lawyers work out of our office in Los Angeles, in Century City, roughly three miles from Westwood and the University of California — Los Angeles campus. Weitz & Luxenberg has offices nationwide, and we have been representing people harmed by asbestos exposure for more than 30 years.
