“It’s mesothelioma.” These words will forever change your life. If you’ve been diagnosed with this aggressive and deadly form of cancer, you need help and support. A Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyer from Frost Law Firm, PC is here to provide the support you deserve.
We proudly offer completely free case evaluations to mesothelioma patients and their family members in the Los Angeles area and beyond. And because money should never be a barrier to securing high-quality legal representation, we also take many cases on a contingency (no win, no fee) basis.
The clock is already running out on your right to take legal action. Contact us today to speak with a team of mesothelioma attorneys.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is it Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Once prized for its heat-resistant and anti-corrosive properties, it was widely used in everything from construction materials to fire-resistant clothing.
Although links between asbestos exposure and certain diseases (including lung cancer) were established as early as the 1930s, knowledge of the dangers associated with prolonged exposure was not widespread until the 1970s.
When inhaled or ingested, asbestos can become lodged in the body (typically the lungs) and cause irritation. Over time, this irritation can lead to the development of a cancer called mesothelioma. Other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos include:
- Asbestosis (scarring of the lungs)
- Pleural disease (non-cancerous lung condition)
- Lung cancer
If you know or suspect that you’ve been exposed to asbestos, it’s important that you undergo regular medical exams. Attend your annual physical every year, and never hesitate to schedule an appointment if you’re experiencing any health concerns.
And if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, get in touch with Frost Law Firm, PC. As a national mesothelioma law firm, we’ll provide you with access to information about your right to recover compensation via asbestos litigation.
The Relationship Between Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Although asbestos is highly durable, the items it is found in are often not. When materials like roofing tiles, brake pads, flooring, insulation, heirloom toys, and sealants break down over time, they release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air and environment.
Inhalation or ingestion of asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, accounting for as many as 80% of all diagnoses.
Aside from direct exposure to asbestos, risk factors for mesothelioma include:
- Family history of mesothelioma
- Secondary or indirect exposure (living with someone who worked/works with asbestos)
- High doses of radiation treatment targeted at the chest or abdomen
- Age (approximately 66% of all pleural mesothelioma patients are aged 65 or older)
- The presence of a mutation or change in the BAP1 gene
Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The latency period (the time from exposure to the first symptoms) for mesothelioma lasts anywhere from 10 to 50 years. Symptoms may appear gradually over time or may come on quickly and aggressively.
The symptoms that mesothelioma victims present with will also vary depending on the location of the cancer, which can manifest in the lining of the lungs (pleural), abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardial), or testes.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor right away if you know that you’ve been exposed to asbestos through your workplace, residence, or secondary exposure and experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain in the:
- Chest
- Lower or upper back
- Abdomen
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Trouble swallowing food or saliva
- Persistent hoarseness
- Swelling of the:
- Arms
- Face
- Abdomen
- Testes
- Heart murmur
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Excessive sweating (especially at night or while sleeping)
- Blood clots
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
How Do You Prove Mesothelioma Was Caused by Exposure to Asbestos?
Since mesothelioma develops over a period of decades, proving that asbestos use by an employer, worksite, landlord, or other entity caused your cancer is no easy challenge.
But it is a challenge that the Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyers of Frost Law Firm, PC rise to again and again.
We fight for people just like you who are living with asbestos related diseases. When we take on a mesothelioma case, we get to work collecting evidence and tracing even the most convoluted lines of liability. We know the level of proof that California courts demand, and we don’t stop until we’ve built the strongest case possible.
Evidence that can strengthen your claim by helping prove that your mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure includes:
- Medical records
- Work history
- Financial records
Legal Options Following a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
You’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and now you need help paying for your medical bills, covering your daily costs of living, and providing for your family in the future. In Los Angeles, mesothelioma claims are among the most effective courses of action available to victims and their families.
Depending on circumstances, victims may be eligible for compensation through:
- Mesothelioma claims
- Mesothelioma lawsuits
- Mesothelioma trust fund claims
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- VA disability benefits
Family members who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis deaths can also obtain compensation through wrongful death claims.
Why Work With Our Team of Los Angeles Mesothelioma Lawyers?
The principles upon which Frost Law Firm, PC was founded continue to serve as a guiding light to our team of mesothelioma attorneys. Raised in Southern California, founding attorney Scott L. Frost witnessed his father’s death from an asbestos disease, and now fights for others in honor of his memory.
We are proud to fight for the rights of California residents who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
Our lawyers are knowledgeable in:
- California asbestos regulations (including those covered in §1529 of the California Code of Regulations)
- Federal asbestos regulations
- Local, state, and nationwide asbestos exposure sites
- Statutes of limitations in mesothelioma cases
- The complex link between certain industries and asbestos exposure
It is our goal to arm every person with whom we meet with the asbestos information they need. Whether you decide to partner with our law firm or not, we are ready to meet with you for a completely free consultation.
The Mesothelioma Attorneys of Frost Law Firm, PC Get Results
As experienced mesothelioma attorneys specializing in personal injury lawsuits for asbestos exposure, we are exceedingly proud of the compensation we have achieved on behalf of our clients.
- $32 million – Trial verdict on behalf of a family who lost a loved one to mesothelioma.
- $7.45 million – Settlement for a man who was exposed to asbestos while he was a student at the California Maritime Academy (currently a campus of California State University).
- $5 million – Trial verdict for a Los Angeles construction worker whose exposure was traced back to the 1960s and 1970s.
- $2.5 million – Settlement for a former student of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) who was exposed to asbestos in the 1970s during ceramic, crafting, and automotive classes.
Due to the high cost of care and intense physical and emotional impact of diagnosis, potential financial compensation in mesothelioma cases tends to be high.
However, the exact value of your claim will rely heavily on the unique factors of your case. To get a better understanding of what your claim may be worth, please contact a mesothelioma attorney for a free consultation.
Risk of Mesothelioma Through Occupational Asbestos Exposure
Although asbestos exposure can (and does) happen in the home, natural environment, and other places, the majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed while on the job. This makes occupational exposure to asbestos the single greatest contributing factor to mesothelioma diagnoses.
Those facing the most significant risk of developing mesothelioma include:
- Construction workers
- Miners
- Shipbuilders
- Shipyard workers
- Automotive industry workers
- Mechanics
- Textile mill workers
- Firefighters
- Power plant workers
- Roofers
- Tilers
- Electricians
- Educators
- HVAC workers
This is far from a complete list of all workers who may have been exposed to asbestos while on the job. Anyone who works or worked in a building built before 1980 (including teachers, health care workers, and public servants) may also be at risk for exposure to asbestos fibers as the structure decays or breaks down over time.
How To File a Mesothelioma Claim in Los Angeles
One of the first steps is to determine what type of claim or lawsuit you will be filing. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to obtain compensation through the following means:
- Personal injury claim or lawsuit
- Wrongful death claim or lawsuit
- Asbestos trust fund claim
- Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits
- Social Security Disability
The exact process for filing your claim will vary depending on the type of legal action you are taking. However, you will likely need to compose and file a written complaint as one of your very first steps.
There is no room for error in your written complaint. We strongly recommend working with an experienced mesothelioma attorney if you intend to move forward with legal proceedings.
The History of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in Los Angeles
As a natural resource found in abundance throughout large swaths of the West Coast, asbestos was once valued for its durability and fire-resistant properties. California became a leading producer and importer of asbestos and asbestos-containing products as early as the 1940s.
From the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Southern California to Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, asbestos was used in everything from insulation and vinyl flooring to fireproofing materials.
Today, California is a major importer of asbestos. This means that people living in Los Angeles may still be unknowingly exposed to asbestos fibers more than 50 years after the negative health effects became well known.
Known Los Angeles Asbestos Exposure Sites
From 1999 to 2017, there were 4,979 asbestos-related deaths in Los Angeles County alone—more than any other county in California.
- Atlantic Richfield Refinery
- ARCO Twin Towers
- Bethlehem Steel
- California State University
- Firestone Tire Plant
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant
- Johns Manville Pipe Plant
- Long Beach Naval Shipyard
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
- Scattergood Generating Station
- Sears, Roebuck & Co. Product Distribution Center
- The Southern California Edison Building (the CalEdison DTLA)
- Tishman Office Building
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Southern California (USC)
- Western Pipe & Steel Company
This is far from a complete list of exposure sites in the Los Angeles area. It is also important to note that asbestos exposure is not a thing of the past. While asbestos mining has been banned in the United States since 2002, imports of this toxic mineral are still permitted for many uses.
Regulations limiting imports have been largely ineffective, though. In 2021, Los Angeles was one of five U.S. port cities that contributed to exceeding import limits on asbestos.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our team of Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyers is ready to answer all of your questions during a free consultation. If you’re seeking new or additional information related to mesothelioma cases, we have also provided answers to some frequently asked questions.
Why Do People Sue for Mesothelioma?
The reasons for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can be highly personal. However, we know that some of the uniting factors for many clients include:
- Recovering compensation for related medical care
- Holding negligent parties accountable for their actions
- Securing justice on behalf of a lost family member
Can Mesothelioma Be Cured?
There is currently no known cure for malignant mesothelioma. Treatment options are aimed at increasing life expectancy and improving the overall quality of life. As the cancer progresses, treatment typically pivots to palliative care.
Should I File a Lawsuit for Asbestos Exposure?
You are the only person who can decide what’s right for you and your situation. However, if you’ve received a mesothelioma diagnosis and need help protecting you and your family’s financial future, taking legal action may be the most effective path forward. A Los Angeles mesothelioma attorney is ready to sit down with you for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Can I Remove Asbestos by Myself?
You should not attempt to remove asbestos by yourself. Whether you’re renovating your home or upgrading your company’s warehouse, California laws require that you work with a contractor that has completed asbestos registration requirements for the State of California Department of Industrial Relations.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
The cost of hiring a mesothelioma attorney is highly contingent upon the law firm. At Frost Law Firm, PC, we don’t charge any upfront fees. Instead, we choose to take most cases on a contingency fee basis. With this approach, we can provide our unparalleled legal services to a much wider range of mesothelioma victims and their family members.
Trust Your Case to a Los Angeles Mesothelioma Lawyer Who Cares
A mesothelioma diagnosis will change your life in scary and uncertain ways. We are dedicated to providing as much guidance, reassurance, compassion, and certainty as we possibly can.
Every attorney at Frost Law Firm, PC is proud to provide exceptional legal representation to our neighbors and community members. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma and are ready to learn about your legal options, get in touch with us today.
We’ll schedule you for a completely free consultation with a Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyer. There is never any cost or obligation associated with these informational meetings.
