Mesothelioma Attorney in Los Angeles

Dedicated Solely to Asbestos Cancer Since 1990. Over $2.5 Billion Recovered.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer can bring immediate decisions about treatment, work, family finances, asbestos exposure history, and potential legal claims. At Worthington & Caron, PC, we have focused exclusively on asbestos cancer litigation since 1990. We have recovered more than $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements for patients and families across the United States. We pursue compensation while connecting our clients to leading mesothelioma physicians and active clinical trials.

Because asbestos cancer may be diagnosed decades after exposure, many Los Angeles patients diagnosed today were first exposed in industries that once relied heavily on asbestos.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed, call us at (800) 831-9399 to start a confidential review.

Why Asbestos Cancer Diagnoses Continue to Rise in Los Angeles

Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other organs. The disease’s long latency period is the main reason diagnoses keep climbing. It typically takes 20 to 50 years after first exposure for symptoms to appear, which means workers exposed during the peak asbestos decades of the 1940s through the 1970s are still receiving diagnoses today. Patients can learn more about recognizing early symptoms on our symptoms page.

Los Angeles was a major hub for industries that used asbestos heavily. Shipbuilding, aerospace and defense manufacturing, oil refining, and construction put workers in contact with asbestos-containing materials across decades of peak use. An asbestos exposure investigation can examine workplace duties, products used on the job, military service, environmental exposure, and take-home asbestos exposure from contaminated clothing. A patient may not remember the product, employer, or worksite connected to exposure, which is why historical investigation can be important.

Your Legal Options After an Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis

An asbestos cancer diagnosis creates immediate financial pressure. Medical bills, time away from work, and long-term care needs can arrive all at once. Multiple compensation avenues may be available to Los Angeles patients, depending on the circumstances of their exposure.

Compensation options may include:

• Personal injury claims against manufacturers, suppliers, or employers responsible for asbestos-containing products
• Asbestos trust fund claims from trusts established by companies that filed for bankruptcy but remained liable to victims
• Wrongful death claims for families who have lost a loved one to asbestos exposure
• Veterans’ claims for those whose exposure occurred at shipyards, naval vessels, or military base facilities, which may qualify for VA disability benefits in addition to civil claims

Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits are separate processes that can require different evidence. Available options depend on the diagnosis, exposure history, responsible entities, military service, and whether a patient or surviving family member brings the claim.

What Helps Build a Strong Asbestos Cancer Claim

You don’t need every document on day one.

A strong claim is typically supported by:

• Medical documentation confirming the diagnosis
• A detailed work and exposure history covering job sites, dates, and products handled
• Witness statements from coworkers or family members
• Records of asbestos-containing products used in specific trades or at specific sites

Our mesothelioma lawyers can help identify and gather the records that matter most for your particular claim.

California’s Filing Deadline for Asbestos Cancer Claims

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.2, personal injury asbestos claims carry a one-year statute of limitations. That period runs from the later of disability or when the claimant knew, or reasonably should have known, that asbestos exposure caused or contributed to that disability. The clock doesn’t start from the date of original exposure, which may have been decades earlier. For asbestos-related wrongful death claims, the one-year period runs from the later of the decedent’s death or when the claimant knew, or reasonably should have known, that asbestos exposure caused or contributed to the death.

California’s deadline makes prompt legal consultation important for Los Angeles patients and families. The applicable deadline can depend on facts specific to the patient or family. Acting quickly can also help preserve employment records, witness information, product documentation, and medical records that may be difficult to reconstruct over time.

Asbestos Cancer Treatment & Our Connection to Leading Physicians

Treatment for mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer may involve specialist evaluation, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or clinical-trial screening. Treatment decisions belong to the patient and medical team. We connect clients to leading mesothelioma physicians and facilities participating in active clinical trials.

Attorney Roger Worthington funded the Punch Worthington Research Laboratory at UCLA Medical School in memory of his father, David “Punch” Worthington, who died of asbestos lung cancer in 2006. Our firm has donated over $1 million to mesothelioma research and is actively involved with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.

Notable Asbestos Cancer Verdicts in Los Angeles County

Notable Los Angeles County results include:

• In March 2013, we obtained a $26.6 million verdict in Los Angeles County for a 62-year-old former drywaller exposed to asbestos dust on residential and commercial jobsites throughout Southern California.
• In October 2016, we obtained an $18.07 million verdict in Los Angeles County for a 67-year-old government employee diagnosed with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma after exposure to talcum powder products in California.

These results are part of more than $2.5 billion recovered in total verdicts and settlements for asbestos cancer clients. Results vary by case and aren’t a promise of future outcomes.

Start a Confidential Review with Our Los Angeles Mesothelioma Attorneys

We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you. After a confidential review, we outline potential paths forward, identify what information may be needed, and explain next steps so you can make an informed decision.

To speak with a mesothelioma attorney at Worthington & Caron, PC, call (800) 831-9399. We serve patients and families throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding Southern California region.