Cancer is an insidious disease that can spread rapidly unless preventive measures are taken to destroy the cancer cells. Unfortunately, some forms of cancer are so aggressive that treatment has no effect.
Mesothelioma is considered one of the most aggressive types of cancer. It’s also a type of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by environmental exposure to asbestos. In other words, if the patient hadn’t been working or living around that asbestos, they would not have contracted the cancer.
Because asbestos exposure is often tied to a workplace or commercial property, the company and owners of those properties could be held responsible for any subsequent financial losses attributable to the disease. This would fall under a special category of personal injury and require the skills of an experienced Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyer to help the patient and their family achieve a fair compensation settlement.
The Frost Law Firm, PC’s asbestos exposure attorneys are up to the challenge.
The Mesothelioma Attorneys of Frost Law Firm, PC, Get Results
As an experienced asbestos cancer attorney specializing in personal injury lawsuits for asbestos exposure, the Frost Law Firm, PC is exceedingly proud of the compensation we have achieved on behalf of our clients.
- $40.75 million – Trial verdict on behalf of a family who lost a loved one to mesothelioma.
- $32 million – Jury verdict for secondhand asbestos exposure secured for family of deceased client.
- $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, lawyers for mesothelioma at our office are standing by to discuss your case and options for moving forward with a claim.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is It Dangerous?
There are many cancers caused by genetic factors such as inherited genetic mutations or lifestyle choices like smoking. Mesothelioma is directly associated with asbestos exposure. 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’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you will undoubtably be concerned about your prospects and your family’s financial security. This is why consulting with a Los Angeles mesothelioma attorney, like the team working at the Frost Law Firm, PC, is vital.
You’ll be able to get your questions answered and be able to make informed decisions about what should come next.
Past Workplace Exposure
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. That means you could be retired from your job and looking forward to enjoying your golden years when your life is suddenly upended because of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
It will be the job of your asbestos exposure attorneys to make the connection between your diagnosis and your past workplace exposure.
The Environmental Protection Agency did not start to regulate asbestos until the late 1970s.
Since then, a concerted effort has been made to clean up as many asbestos sites as possible. Los Angeles has long been one of the country’s largest manufacturing hubs. All of that work was good for the economy but also ground zero for asbestos exposure. The following sectors are at the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
- Aircraft and aerospace manufacturing
- Automobile production
- Oil and petroleum refining
- Food processing
- Textile and apparel manufacturing
- Construction workers
- Miners
- Shipbuilders
- Shipyard workers
- Automotive industry workers
- Mechanics
- Textile mill workers
- Firefighters
- Power plant workers
- Roofers
- Tilers
- Electricians
- Educators
- HVAC workers
Railroad workers and shipbuilders are also at risk, two large occupation categories in Los Angeles.
Railroad workers experienced heavy asbestos exposure when working on engines. They were also exposed through handling railroad ties, adhesives, insulation, brakes, and the rail cars that hauled asbestos products.
Los Angeles is proud to be home to the largest seaport in the nation. Sadly, those shipyards were rife with asbestos risks as they could be found nearly everywhere in ships, including insulation, engine rooms, and bulkheads.
Secondhand Occupational Exposure
Asbestos only becomes a problem when the fibers are released into the air. Workers who were exposed would have those fibers clinging to their clothing. That means they brought it home and accidentally created a hazard for family members.
That makes everyone in the family susceptible to the disease through secondhand occupational exposure.
You might already know a former coworker who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Your former workplace might have also been shut down because of the risk. That is when you need to get out before the disease by getting a thorough medical checkup. You also want to talk with a mesothelioma attorney in Los Angeles to see if the company has set up a fund to pay for damages.
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.
Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma
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 working at 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 collect evidence and trace 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
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 be among the top mesothelioma lawyers in California who are fighting for the rights of Los Angeles 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 we meet with the asbestos information they need. Whether you decide to partner with our law firm, we are ready to meet with you for a free consultation.
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 cancer lawyer if you intend to move forward with legal proceedings.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyer is ready to answer all 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 renovating your home or upgrading your company’s warehouse, California laws require that you work with a contractor who 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. We don’t charge any upfront fees at Frost Law Firm, PC. 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’re dedicated to providing as much guidance, reassurance, compassion, and certainty as possible.
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’s never any cost or obligation associated with these informational meetings.
