Kamis, 23 Mei 2019
Asbestos exposure in California is a serious problem that
can lead to the development of mesothelioma and related diseases. A local
lawyer can help you get compensation to pay for treatments and hold companies
accountable for their negligence.
Some of the most prominent job sites where asbestos exposure
occurred are listed below. You can also find information about California laws
that specifically deal with mesothelioma and asbestos. We list top law firms
that have handled cases for mesothelioma victims as well as sample mesothelioma
settlements that have been obtained for California residents. We also provide
information about the statute of limitations for filing claims in California.
California Asbestos
Laws and Regulations
California heavily regulates the use of asbestos through
everything from air quality programs to asbestos removal, as well as litigation
related to asbestos injury through exposure.
Asbestos Litigation in
California
Historically, most asbestos litigation in California
originated in three counties: Alameda, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In the
late 1980s and early 1990s, asbestos claims in California dropped significantly
compared to other areas of the country, but in recent years, California
asbestos filings have started to rise again.
Today, the Superior Court of San Francisco County hears a
large majority of asbestos cases in California. In order to help manage the
large volume of cases, San Francisco County uses a system of electronic filing
and case management.
The San Francisco courts also group similar cases to help
streamline the caseloads moving through the system. The courts also offer
preference to plaintiffs who have short life expectancies. Most California
asbestos lawsuits result in settlements.
Occupational Asbestos
Exposure in California
Given the size of California, the state has implemented two
separate sets of safety regulations to protect citizens from naturally
occurring asbestos, which is found in at least 45 of the state’s 58 counties.
These laws, known as Asbestos Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCMs), apply to
two different classes of activity:
· Surfacing Applications: This rule applies to the
production, sale, or use of “aggregate material” (i.e., gravel, sand, etc.) in
areas where asbestos may be found.
· Construction, Grading, Quarrying, and Surface
Mining: This rule applies to construction and mining-related activities in
areas where asbestos occurs naturally.
- Surfacing Applications: This rule applies to the production, sale, or use of “aggregate material” (i.e., gravel, sand, etc.) in areas where asbestos may be found.
- Construction, Grading, Quarrying, and Surface Mining: This rule applies to construction and mining-related activities in areas where asbestos occurs naturally.
The California code also includes a chapter on General
Industry Safety Orders, which contains rules on asbestos and other carcinogens.
These state laws build on federal asbestos laws and regulations provided by
OSHA and other agencies to protect employees.
Finally, like other states, California follows the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) guidelines to minimize airborne contaminants
known to be health hazards.
The Air Resources Board (ARB), part of the
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), provides statewide NESHAP
oversight, and the state is broken up into 35 local air districts, each of
which may have their own guidelines that must be followed when renovating or
demolishing a building. Nineteen California counties are not part of an air
district, and companies in those counties must work directly with the ARB.
California Sites
Where Mesothelioma Victims Worked
Many residents of California who worked at large commercial
or military sites were unknowingly exposed to asbestos. Hundreds of major sites
throughout California and the employers who managed them have put unsuspecting
workers at risk for exposure to asbestos. Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of
numerous people who worked at the following sites in California.
Top Mesothelioma Law
Firms that Practice in California
The law firms listed below have a specific focus in
representing mesothelioma victims. They either have filed lawsuits on behalf of
California residents or have offices in California. They have the experience
and knowledge necessary to work effectively and efficiently on your behalf.
- Dean, Omar & Branham, LLP is a law firm dedicated to using the legal profession to make our community safer. When someone is badly hurt because someone else did not act reasonably, we are here to help provide whatever justice the legal system can give the family who has been wronged.
- ELSM, Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney and Meisenkothen is a national law firm recognized for its representation of over 3,000 hardworking men and women who have been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma. ELSM’s experience in asbestos litigation spans four decades.
- Gori Jullian, At Gori Julian and Associates, P.C., we have handled hundreds of mesothelioma lawsuits on behalf of people throughout the United States. This experience allows us to choose jurisdiction in which to file your case based on many factors including but not limited to state of residence, jobsites, and previous and current employers.
- The lawyers of Kaiser Gornick LLP in San Francisco have extensive experience handling mesothelioma claims. We have obtained substantial compensation for our clients in successful verdicts and settlements.
- Since its founding in 1974, Kazan Law has represented thousands of people suffering from asbestos related illnesses, particularly mesothelioma. Our principals are among the most experienced mesothelioma lawyers in the country.
- Levin Simes is staffed with expert attorneys with decades of total experience litigating and trying mesothelioma cases. Our staff of lawyers, investigators, and legal assistants are here to assist you and your family with both the legal aspects of your diagnosis, and the personal and medical.
- Simon Hanly Conloy, as one of the nation’s leading mesothelioma law firms, Simmons Hanly Conroy has a proven track record. Every mesothelioma lawyer at the firm is committed to helping families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.