California Mesothelioma Lawyer
Expertise
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Experienced Mesothelioma Attorneys in California
At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, our nationally acclaimed attorneys have the expertise to manage the most intricate claims. With extensive experience in mesothelioma cases, our firm enables clients to concentrate on what’s truly important: their recovery and family.
We prioritize each client’s case with dedication and personal attention. For more information and to get started on building a case, contact our California mesothelioma lawyers today.
Quick Links
- Experienced Mesothelioma Attorneys in California
- Why You Need a Mesothelioma Lawyer
- Why Choose Our California Mesothelioma Lawyers?
- Our Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
- What Our Clients Say
- How To File a Mesothelioma Claim in California
- Asbestos Trust Funds
- Mesothelioma Lawsuits in California
- Statute of Limitations in California
- Types of Mesothelioma
- Contact Our Experienced California Mesothelioma Lawyers
Why You Need a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Navigating an asbestos-related claim requires extensive experience in evidence collection and personal injury law. Legal representation can provide the advocacy you need to prove fault and secure compensation. Several challenges may surface that an attorney can offer assistance with, including the following:
- Understanding asbestos laws and regulations
- Identifying liable parties
- Accessing medical and occupational experts
- Handling legal procedures and claim filing
Our California mesothelioma attorneys can guide you through each step of the claims process, ensuring you understand your rights and working to maximize your compensation.
Why Choose Our California Mesothelioma Lawyers?
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has secured over $500 million in verdicts and settlements. Additionally, our lead attorneys have achieved numerous recognitions, including being named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 100 Civil Litigators lists by the National Trial Lawyers. Samuel Meirowitz has been selected for Super Lawyers every year since 2016. Similarly, Daniel Wasserberg has been chosen for the New York Metropolitan Super Lawyer list every year since 2013.
Our Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
We have seen successful settlements for hundreds of mesothelioma clients across the United States, including:
- Over $32M Verdict – for secondhand exposure against Kraft Heinz and contractor defendant Metal Masters Inc.
- Over $18M Verdict – for a California woman who used talcum powder her entire life.
- $5M Settlement – for a nurse who was exposed to asbestos in junior high and high school in Los Angeles.
These case results speak for themselves; we are more than capable of handling complex claims. Call our law office today to schedule a free consultation.
What Our Clients Say
We are proud to be dedicated to our clients from start to finish of a case. However, don’t just take our word for it. Read our testimonials to learn more about our former clients’ experiences with us.
“Choosing Sam and Dan to represent us in my father’s Mesothelioma case is one of the best decisions we could have made as a family. Their honesty, integrity, and compassion is unsurpassed. After interviewing with other law firms they were a clear and unanimous choice for my family. While no amount of money can compensate us for the loss of our dad, Sam and Dan have fought hard on our behalf which has helped us greatly in caring for our mom and her future needs. I highly recommend Sam and Dan and all the kind, compassionate members of their team.”
“We are so fortunate that we met Samuel Merowitz. My husband was diagnosed with Mesothelioma four years ago because of asbestos exposure. We met Sam and his coworkers and they took the case with such compassion and dedication. They provided professional, accurate, efficient legal advice and more. Because of them, our lives are much better now. We are so thankful for having them by our side”
“My husband was diagnosed with a rare form of Mesothelioma in 2015. After the initial shock wore off my husband decided to file a law suit. We called a few places and decided to go with Meirowitz and Wasserberg since my husband felt most comfortable and confident talking to Daniel over the phone. Daniel flew cross country for our initial meeting and we couldn’t have asked for a better attorney. Daniel was so caring and concerned and we both felt so at ease with him. He walked us through everything that might or might not happen and made the process so easy for us so that we could concentrate on my husband’s medical care. Daniel flew out here a few times for depositions and testimonies. When my husband had to have a second surgery he made sure we did not have to travel to New York to appear in court. Everyone we talk to over the phone at Meirowitz and Wasserberg is so friendly and helpful. They have made our difficult time so much easier. I would highly recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a great reliable and caring attorney.”
How To File a Mesothelioma Claim in California
Filing a mesothelioma claim in California is a multi-step process that begins with obtaining a medical diagnosis and ends with securing compensation.
- Obtain a medical diagnosis: Before you file a claim, it’s critical to get an official medical diagnosis of your mesothelioma. This will serve as evidence for the basis of your claim.
- Consult an attorney: Partnering with a lawyer means securing crucial representation for navigating this complex process. They can determine whether you have a viable claim and begin collecting evidence for your case.
- Determine the claim type: Depending on the specifics of your case, you could have one of several claims, including a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit, an asbestos trust fund claim, or a Veterans claim.
- Collect evidence: Once you’ve determined the type of claim you have, you can begin collecting crucial evidence to support it. This can include medical records, expert testimony, and employment or military records.
- File within deadlines: Another vital role of an attorney is ensuring you file your claim within the state’s statute of limitations. In California, you must file a claim within one year of a mesothelioma diagnosis, with some exceptions.
- Begin legal proceedings: After you file your claim, you will participate in settlement negotiations and, if necessary, a trial. Most California courts prioritize mesothelioma cases due to their urgent medical nature, resulting in expedited court proceedings.
- Secure compensation: If your case is successful, you will obtain a damages award that reflects the losses you experienced as outlined in your mesothelioma claim.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds are financial reserves that companies that used or manufactured asbestos have set up in response to filing for bankruptcy. The purpose of these trusts is to supply current and future victims with compensation even if the company cannot be sued in court at this point.
There are currently more than 60 asbestos trust funds in the U.S., with over $30 billion collectively available for victims. Individuals who have been exposed to and affected by asbestos can access these funds by filing and meeting the required criteria:
- Have an official asbestos-related disease diagnosis
- Identify which companies played a role in your exposure
- Have evidence, such as medical records, work history, and testimonies
The compensation you can secure from an asbestos trust fund will depend on several factors, including the severity of your disease, your work and exposure history, and the payment percentage set by the trust. On average, mesothelioma victims can obtain between $30,000 from single trust funds and $600,000 from multiple combined trusts.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits in California
California ranks among the most active and claimant-supportive jurisdictions in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestos-related litigation. The state’s legal framework, historical instances of industrial exposure, and strong case law create a favorable environment for victims pursuing compensation.
Individuals affected by asbestos exposure could potentially file several types of claims, including the following:
- Civil lawsuits. In cases of exposure to asbestos through premises or product liability, victims can sue manufacturers, property owners, and distributors of consumer goods. These lawsuits can result in a settlement or a trial.
- Asbestos trust funds. As mentioned earlier, victims can seek compensation through the trust funds of bankrupt companies.
- Wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one passed away due to asbestos exposure, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit to pursue justice on their behalf.
- Veterans’ benefits. Many California veterans, particularly Navy personnel, were exposed to hazardous substances aboard ships or in shipyards. A VA claim can be pursued alongside a civil lawsuit.
High-Risk Occupations and Exposure Sites
There are notable industries and sites across California that are associated with asbestos exposure, such as:
- Shipyards where shipbuilding involved extensive use of asbestos for insulation, fireproofing, and machinery.
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard – San Francisco
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard – Vallejo
- Long Beach Naval Shipyard – Long Beach
- National Steel & Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) – San Diego
- Todd Shipyards – Alameda and San Pedro
- Oil refineries exposed workers to asbestos through heat-resistant materials.
- Chevron Refinery – Richmond
- Shell Oil Refinery – Martinez
- Tesoro (now Marathon) – Carson and Wilmington
- ExxonMobil Refinery – Torrance
- Construction and public buildings that contain asbestos in insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and roofing.
- Los Angeles Unified School District – Numerous older schools built before the 1980s
- University of California campuses – Older buildings in Berkeley, UCLA, and others
- State Capitol and courthouses – Some older state buildings have required asbestos abatement.
- Power plants and railroads commonly used asbestos in the insulation of turbines, boilers, and piping.
- Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) plants – Statewide
- Mojave Power Station – Mojave
- Humboldt Bay Power Plant – Eureka
- San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station – San Diego County
- Military bases that used asbestos in barracks, ships, hangars, and mechanical systems.
- Camp Pendleton – San Diego County
- Edwards Air Force Base – Kern County
- Naval Base San Diego – San Diego
- Travis Air Force Base – Fairfield
- China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station – Ridgecrest
Statute of Limitations in California
In California, victims have one year from the date of discovery to file a claim. The date of discovery refers to when an official diagnosis was made for an asbestos-related disease. Exceptions apply, including in the case of wrongful death, which begins the clock from the date your loved one passes away.
Similarly, asbestos trust fund claims have a different timeline. In these cases, each trust fund has its own filing deadline, typically two to three years from the date of diagnosis or death. Failure to file within these strict deadlines can result in you being barred from recovery. Because of this, we highly recommend speaking with an asbestos exposure attorney in California who can navigate your case and determine which statute applies.
Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. Victims of asbestos exposure are at risk of developing multiple types, including pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common of this type of cancer, making up 75 percent of cases. It affects the lining of the lungs and is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Pleural mesothelioma can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, a persistent cough, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma directly impacts the lining of the abdomen. Victims can develop this form of cancer through ingestion of asbestos fibers or secondary exposure, such as from clothing. The common symptoms of this type of cancer include abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, bowel issues, and loss of appetite.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial is a rare and hard-to-treat form of mesothelioma. It is located in the lining around the heart and can cause chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and breathing difficulty.
Testicular Mesothelioma
Less than one percent of mesothelioma cases are testicular. This rare form of cancer affects the lining of the testes and is usually discovered incidentally during surgery for another condition. Symptoms of testicular mesothelioma include swelling or lumps in the scrotum. However, it is often painless.
Diagnosing mesothelioma typically requires several forms of medical testing, such as:
- Imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans
- Biopsy to confirm mesothelioma
- Thoracoscopy for pleural, laparoscopy for peritoneal, or needle biopsy
- Blood tests and biomarkers
What Are Mesothelioma Symptoms?
There are common signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect that you or a loved one has mesothelioma. These include the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Chronic cough
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lumps under the skin on the chest
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pleural effusion, fluid around the lungs
- Fever or night sweats
- Blood clots
- Difficulty sleeping
It is essential to detect mesothelioma early on to take active steps to minimize its damage. If you have been exposed to asbestos, consider scheduling a medical consultation today.
Contact Our Experienced California Mesothelioma Lawyers
We encourage all victims of asbestos exposure to reach out for a free consultation today. Our California mesothelioma lawyers are based in our San Francisco office and serve clients throughout the state, providing comprehensive assistance with your case from start to finish. We promise confidentiality and a commitment to client welfare. Call today at 212-897-1988 to schedule a free consultation.
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Get Your Free Case ReviewI feel so blessed to have had Meirowitz & Wasserberg Law Firm represent my Husband and I in a great time of need in our lives. l highly recommend this firm. Daniel Wasserberg was the most personable, caring lawyer one could ever have. He was always there for our every need with compassion, loyalty and sincerity. He truly cares about his clients. I learned to love this man as a Son.
Nancy