California Mesothelioma Lawyers

CALIFORNIA MESOTHELIOMA LAWYERS

Asbestos exposure in California is a serious problem that can lead to the development of mesothelioma and related diseases. A local lawyer can help you get compensation to pay for treatments and hold companies accountable for their negligence.

Some of the most prominent job sites where asbestos exposure occurred are listed below. You can also find information about California laws that specifically deal with mesothelioma and asbestos. We list top law firms that have handled cases for mesothelioma victims as well as sample mesothelioma settlements that have been obtained for California residents. We also provide information about the statute of limitations for filing claims in California.

CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS LAWS AND REGULATIONS

California heavily regulates the use of asbestos through everything from air quality programs to asbestos removal, as well as litigation related to asbestos injury through exposure.

ASBESTOS LITIGATION IN CALIFORNIA

Historically, most asbestos litigation in California originated in three counties: Alameda, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, asbestos claims in California dropped significantly compared to other areas of the country, but in recent years, California asbestos filings have started to rise again.

Today, the Superior Court of San Francisco County hears a large majority of asbestos cases in California. In order to help manage the large volume of cases, San Francisco County uses a system of electronic filing and case management. The San Francisco courts also group similar cases to help streamline the caseloads moving through the system. The courts also offer preference to plaintiffs who have short life expectancies. Most California asbestos lawsuits result in settlements.

OCCUPATIONAL ASBESTOS EXPOSURE IN CALIFORNIA

Given the size of California, the state has implemented two separate sets of safety regulations to protect citizens from naturally occurring asbestos, which is found in at least 45 of the state’s 58 counties. These laws, known as Asbestos Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCMs), apply to two different classes of activity:

The California code also includes a chapter on General Industry Safety Orders, which contains rules on asbestos and other carcinogens. These state laws build on federal asbestos laws and regulations provided by OSHA and other agencies to protect employees.

Finally, like other states, California follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) guidelines to minimize airborne contaminants known to be health hazards. The Air Resources Board (ARB), part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), provides statewide NESHAP oversight, and the state is broken up into 35 local air districts, each of which may have their own guidelines that must be followed when renovating or demolishing a building. Nineteen California counties are not part of an air district, and companies in those counties must work directly with the ARB.

CALIFORNIA SITES WHERE MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS WORKED

Many residents of California who worked at large commercial or militarysites were unknowingly exposed to asbestos. Hundreds of major sites throughout California and the employers who managed them have put unsuspecting workers at risk for exposure to asbestos. Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of numerous people who worked at the following sites in California.

In addition to the list above, asbestos exposure has occurred at many other locations in California as well. If the site where you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos is not on the list above, contact an attorney to see if the job site in question had a history of exposing workers to asbestos.

CALIFORNIA MESOTHELIOMA LAWSUITS

California residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and seek compensation from manufacturers and distributers of asbestos.