Mesothelioma in California

Asbestos Exposure in California

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), California has over 290 sites of naturally occurring asbestos. Abundance and easy access made it an ideal location for mining operations throughout the 20th century, and encouraged many asbestos manufacturers and companies to set up shop within state lines.

The state’s heavy reliance on asbestos in the manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, and industrial sectors created a large exposure footprint. Today, California has the most mesothelioma cases in the U.S., with 284 new diagnoses each year and 208 deaths annually, according to the CDC.

Use of asbestos peaked in California from the 1940s to the 1970s, as increasing lawsuits and federal regulation made using it more controversial and expensive. Although California doesn’t have any statewide bans on asbestos, it does have strict regulations guiding industrial safety standards and reducing asbestos use.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure in California, you may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation.

Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in California

Businesses in California that negligently exposed workers and residents to asbestos can be held accountable for their actions. Victims and their families can pursue multiple forms of compensation to help them pay for medical care, make up for lost income, and create a stable financial future.

Many eligible claimants may secure over $1 million in combined compensation. For example, according to Mealey’s Litigation Report, the average mesothelioma settlement is $1 million to $1.4 million, while the average mesothelioma trial verdict is $5 million to $11.4 million. 

That said, the final amount each person receives depends on the unique circumstances of their claim and the types of compensation they pursue.

Many victims of asbestos exposure in California are entitled to multiple forms of compensation. Identifying and pursuing every form of assistance and compensation you qualify for is the best way to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

Our dedicated patient advocates can help you determine your potential compensation and identify your options, based on your unique circumstances and exposure history. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Common Options for Mesothelioma Compensation

Eligibility Requirements for Compensation in California

Injured workers and their loved ones must meet strict eligibility requirements to qualify for compensation in California. These requirements can vary depending on the type of compensation you choose to pursue. 

However, there are general eligibility requirements that most types of compensation share:

• Proof of Exposure: Documentation showing exposure to specific asbestos-containing products or presence at work sites where asbestos was used
• Medical Eligibility: An asbestos-related illness diagnosis backed by documentation and testing that links the condition to the patient’s exposure history
• Statute of limitations: The deadline to file for both personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in California is 1 year following diagnosis or death. Victims cannot seek compensation in California after this deadline has passed.

Proving eligibility requires significant documentation, and the burden of proof is on the victim. The following forms of documentation can provide critical support for your claim.

• Medical records
• Proven diagnosis
• Death certificate
• Employment records
• Eyewitness accounts
• Paystubs

Finding the documents you need to build a strong claim can be challenging, especially in mesothelioma cases, where it can take decades to develop symptoms after asbestos exposure.

It’s okay if you don’t have every form of documentation listed above. Asbestos litigation experts can help you find the information you need. If you think you have a claim, reach out to us now and let us help determine your eligibility.

Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts in California

California claimants have secured multiple large settlements and verdicts worth several million in compensation in recent years: an encouraging trend for those considering compensation claims in the state. However, most claims fall within the national average of $1 million to $1.4 million.

Settlement and verdict amounts can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the case. Speaking to an asbestos litigation expert can help clarify what your claim could be worth.

The Top Asbestos Exposure Risks in California

California’s history of asbestos use has deep ties to the state’s abundant naturally occurring asbestos. In fact, four of the state’s many asbestos-related superfund sites are linked to naturally occurring asbestos.

However, California businesses increased exposure risks by using asbestos in their products and processes from the 1940s to the 1970s. People working in mines, shipyards, factories, oil refineries, and construction sites face the highest risks for developing asbestos-related illnesses.

Miners

California has over 290 sites of naturally occurring asbestos, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which led to an active history of mining and processing in the state.

Sites like the Atlas Asbestos Mine and the Coalinga Asbestos Mine, both located in Coalinga, California, are now EPA-designated Superfund sites due to decades of contamination after operations ended. Anyone who worked in or near a California asbestos mine is at risk.

Shipyard Workers

Shipbuilding companies used asbestos and asbestos components because they were a cheap, abundant, and lightweight way to provide effective insulation and fireproofing for vessels.

Shipyard workers, such as insulators, pipe fitters, boilermakers, welders, and shipfitters, were likely exposed to significant levels of asbestos at sites such as the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco and the Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company.

Factory Workers

Workers in California’s many plants and factories, including machinists, boiler workers, maintenance workers, and others, were exposed to high levels of asbestos due to its widespread use as an insulator in building materials and machinery.

Companies like Union Carbide, Fibreboard, the Plant Insulation company, and others had significant operations in the state, located in manufacturing hubs such as San Diego and Sacramento.

Petrochemical Workers

Oil refineries used asbestos as insulation to control heat and prevent fire at their facilities. Machinery used on-site also commonly included asbestos components, endangering anyone responsible for servicing or repairing it.

Known companies and sites include:

• ARCO: Wilmington, Long Beach
• Chevron: Wilmington, San Francisco, Richmond
• Exxon: Wilmington, Torrance
• Mobil: Los Angeles, Torrance

Construction Workers

Most residential, commercial, and institutional buildings constructed before the late 1970s were built with asbestos-containing products. Construction companies used asbestos materials because of their durability and resistance to heat and fire.

Workers across the state who installed, removed, cut, sanded, or repaired these materials face high risks of mesothelioma. Many older buildings may still contain asbestos, posing ongoing risks to construction workers.

Family Members & Loved Ones

Wherever there were asbestos workers, there were also family members and loved ones who were also potentially at risk for mesothelioma due to secondary exposure.

Asbestos particles cling easily to hair, skin, and clothing, allowing them to enter homes where unsuspecting spouses and children may encounter them during routine household chores, such as laundry.

Top Exposure Sites in California

There are 13,363 confirmed asbestos exposure job sites in California.  These sites include locations operated by major manufacturers such as Johns Manville, Exxon, Owens Corning (Fibreboard), Union Carbide, and others, from whom victims and their loved ones can apply for compensation.

Common Solvent Companies That Used Asbestos in California

Many companies responsible for significant asbestos exposure are still active today, either in their own right or through successor companies that hold their asbestos liabilities.

Because they’re solvent (never declared bankruptcy), injured workers and their families must pursue compensation through personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits.

Although filing a lawsuit takes longer than filing a trust fund claim, award amounts are generally much higher than those in trust fund cases.

Solvent companies named in California mesothelioma lawsuits include:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Union Carbide (through successor Dow)
• Exxon
• Chevron

Common Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims in California

Many asbestos companies have buckled under the pressure of their asbestos liabilities. These companies typically file for bankruptcy and establish asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future victims of their negligence.

There are over 60 active asbestos trust funds in the U.S., including:

• Johns Manville
• Owens Corning (Fibreboard)
• Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
• Federal-Mogul Corporation

These trusts have already distributed $20 billion to claimants, and have roughly $30 billion left to pay future victims. Many trusts pay within 90 days of filing your claim.

How to File for Mesothelioma Compensation in California

Filing for mesothelioma compensation doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated. Working with an asbestos litigation expert can streamline the process, helping you and your family get the highest possible compensation with the lowest possible stress.

Our partner law firm has the application process down to a science, guiding and supporting clients through every step so they can focus on their health and recovery. Not paperwork.

1. Meet With a Mesothelioma Attorney
   • Your first consultation gives you the opportunity to ask your potential lawyer questions. The goal is to help you understand your options, the possible value of your case, and what you can expect from the compensation process.
2. Gather Evidence & Documentation
   • If you choose to move forward, your legal team will handle gathering the evidence needed to build a strong case. Even if you’re unsure where to find certain records, an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help track down employment histories, medical records, and more to support your claim.
3. File Claims
   • Next, your attorney will file your claim with the appropriate court, asbestos trust fund, or other compensation source. Because many victims qualify for compensation from more than one place, your legal team may pursue several claims at the same time to help you get the maximum recovery available.
4. Claim Discovery or Review
   • Once your lawyer files your claim, the defendant(s) will review the information. They may conduct their own investigation or request more supporting evidence. Your lawyer will handle all communication during this stage.
5. Settlement, Trial, or Liquidation
   • Often, a strong claim results in an offer of payment, either through the trust liquidation process or through a negotiated out-of-court settlement. In some cases, your claim may continue to trial, where your attorney will represent you and your case until it’s resolved.

Pursuing compensation from asbestos trust funds is fast and easy with the help of an asbestos litigation expert. Many claimants qualify for compensation from multiple trusts, and the average compensation for eligible claimants often exceeds $1 million.

Changes to Asbestos Litigation in California

The asbestos litigation field in California is constantly changing. New rulings and interventions from lawmakers impact the laws, regulations, and standards that govern mesothelioma lawsuits.

Common requirements that impact cases include:

• Medical criteria: According to CACI No. 435 of the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (2026 edition),  claimants must prove through expert testimony that their illness was substantially (but not necessarily exclusively) caused by exposure to the defendant’s product(s) or activities.
• Premises liability: California Civil Code section 1714 allows secondary exposure victims to hold employers and premises owners responsible for injuries resulting from asbestos dust brought home from the workplace.
• Causation: In Rutherford v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., the California Supreme Court ruled that claimants must show that exposure to the defendant’s products or activities was substantial enough to be a legal cause of their illness. Later trials relied on this ruling to set standards for evaluating exposure amounts and their potential impact.
• Product liability limitations:  In O’Neil v. Crane Co., the California Court ruled that manufacturers cannot be held accountable for damage done by asbestos-containing replacement parts manufactured by others, even if their products required these parts to function. This argument is commonly known as the bare-metal defense.

Despite challenges caused by shifting requirements, California remains one of the more plaintiff-friendly court systems, with a dedicated asbestos court in San Francisco and a history of large verdicts for plaintiffs.

Seeking Treatment for Mesothelioma in California?

Mesothelioma patients often need specialized care beyond what local oncologists can provide. Although community cancer specialists can offer important support, patients often benefit from access to cutting-edge care at NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), these treatment hubs specialize in mesothelioma and other complex cancers, offering advanced therapies, multidisciplinary care teams, and access to leading clinical research.

Top Treatment Centers in California:

• Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
• City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI)
• UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center
• UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
• USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

If you need help getting quality care quickly, our patient advocates may be able to help through our free Doctor Match program. The program provides access to a nationwide network of over 500 top mesothelioma treatment providers.

Whether you‘re seeking a diagnosis or a second opinion, we can help you connect with the care you need.

Once we help you find treatment, we’ll also help you identify and pursue compensation options to cover the costs of care.

Treating mesothelioma costs an average of $400,000 per year out of pocket. Legal compensation from sources such as lawsuits, trust funds, and the VA helps patients and their families pay for medical bills and other costs, allowing them to regain financial stability.

Our goal is to make expert help accessible. All you have to do to access free resources and step-by-step support is contact us for a free case evaluation.

How We Can Help

The Mesothelioma Fund is a‌ nationwide assistance group founded to help injured people and their families․ Our team has helped hundreds of asbestos exposure victims over the last decade hold negligent asbestos companies accountable, securing justice and compensation for our clients․

In partnership with Meirowitz & Wasserberg‚ one of the largest asbestos firms in the country‚ we have recovered over $500‌ million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of victims․ The asbestos lawyers at our partner law firm are knowledgeable‚ compassionate, and provide personalized advice for each person’s situation․

The Meirowitz & Wasserberg team has decades of combined experience handling asbestos cases across‌ California and the nation, and understands the‌ frustrations and challenges that victims of asbestos exposure and their families face. They are ready to fight for every available source of compensation while taking care of the details so their clients can focus on rest and healing․

It only takes a few minutes to find out if you qualify‚ which could be how you start getting the help your family needs․ Contact us today for a free‌ case review․

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

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