Serving Families Across California Affected by Asbestos and Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, we're here to help. Our Los Angeles office serves clients throughout California: From San Diego to the Bay Area, from the Central Valley to the Inland Empire.

We've recovered over $400 million for families impacted by asbestos exposure, and we understand how urgent and overwhelming these cases can be. We don't just take on cases—we take care of people. That starts with listening.

Why Choose Our California Legal Team?

Personal Experience Drives Our Mission

• Founded by a cancer survivor who lost multiple family members to asbestos-related diseases

• Deep understanding of what families face during cancer treatment and legal proceedings

• Offices across multiple states, with our Los Angeles location strategically positioned to serve the nation's largest asbestos litigation market

Comprehensive Legal Services

• Asbestos trust fund claims (available to nearly all our clients)

• Personal injury lawsuits when appropriate

• Social Security Disability and VA claims assistance

• Workers' compensation coordination

• No fees unless we recover compensation for your family

Not a Call Center or Referral Network We're a dedicated asbestos law firm with actual staff in California. When you call, you speak with our team, not a call center that refers your case elsewhere.

California Asbestos Exposure: The Nation's Largest Industrial Legacy

America's Asbestos Capital

California has perhaps the most extensive asbestos exposure history of any state in America. From World War II shipbuilding through the aerospace boom, from massive construction projects to heavy industrial manufacturing, California workers encountered asbestos in virtually every sector of the economy.

This extensive industrial history creates both opportunities and complexities for California families. More exposure sources mean more potential defendants and trust fund claims, but also require deeper investigation to identify all responsible parties.

Major California Exposure Industries

Shipyards: The Foundation of California Asbestos Litigation California's shipyards created some of the most devastating asbestos exposure in American history:

• Long Beach Naval Shipyard - Massive World War II construction and decades of ship maintenance

• Mare Island Naval Shipyard (Vallejo) - Nuclear submarine construction and repair

• Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard (San Francisco) - Ship construction and decommissioning

• Todd Shipyards (Los Angeles, San Pedro, and San Francisco) - Commercial and military vessel construction

• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard (San Francisco) - Major wartime shipbuilding facility

Shipyard workers faced exposure from multiple sources: pipe covering, boiler insulation, gaskets, packing materials, and the infamous "snow jobs" where workers blew asbestos insulation throughout ship compartments.

Aerospace and Defense California's aerospace industry extensively used asbestos in aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles:

• Lockheed Martin (Burbank, Palmdale) - Military aircraft and space systems

• Boeing (Long Beach) - Commercial and military aircraft

• McDonnell Douglas (Long Beach, Huntington Beach) - Fighter jets and commercial aircraft

• Northrop Grumman (El Segundo, Palmdale) - Military aircraft and defense systems

• Rockwell International (Downey) - Space shuttle components and aerospace systems

Workers installed asbestos insulation around engines, heat shields, and electrical systems while mechanics and technicians performed maintenance on aircraft containing asbestos components.

Petroleum Refining California's massive refinery complexes exposed thousands of workers:

• Chevron Richmond Refinery - One of the West Coast's largest facilities

• ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery - Major gasoline and jet fuel production

• Phillips 66 Los Angeles Refinery - Integrated refining and chemical operations

• Shell Martinez Refinery - Bay Area petroleum processing

• Valero Benicia Refinery - Solano County refining operations

Refinery workers encountered asbestos in pipe covering, boiler insulation, gaskets, and high-temperature equipment throughout these massive industrial complexes.

Construction and Building Trades California's explosive post-war growth required massive construction projects using asbestos-containing materials:

• Commercial high-rises throughout Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego

• Public infrastructure including schools, hospitals, and government buildings

• Residential construction using asbestos insulation, siding, and flooring

• Industrial facilities requiring fire-resistant and heat-resistant materials

Power Generation California's electrical infrastructure relied heavily on asbestos insulation:

• Pacific Gas & Electric facilities throughout Northern California

• Southern California Edison plants serving the Los Angeles basin

• San Diego Gas & Electric operations in Southern California

• Various municipal utilities and co-generation facilities

Steel and Heavy Manufacturing

• Kaiser Steel Fontana - Major integrated steel production facility

• Bethlehem Steel Vernon - Steel fabrication and processing

• Various foundries and metal fabrication shops throughout the state

How California Law Protects Asbestos Victims

Statute of Limitations

California provides a one-year statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury cases from the date of discovery of the injury and its connection to asbestos exposure. For wrongful death cases, families have one year from the date of death.

This is the shortest statute of limitations in the country, making immediate action crucial for California families. However, California courts have been generous in interpreting when the "discovery" period begins, often allowing cases that might be barred in other states.

California's Specialized Asbestos Courts

California has developed some of the most sophisticated asbestos litigation procedures in the nation:

• Los Angeles County operates specialized asbestos departments with experienced judges

• San Francisco County has streamlined procedures for complex multi-defendant cases

• Alameda County (Oakland) handles significant Bay Area asbestos litigation

• Orange County serves Southern California with efficient case management

These specialized courts understand asbestos science, have established procedures for managing complex cases, and generally move cases through the system efficiently.

Trust Fund Claims vs. Litigation Strategy

California's legal landscape makes strategic timing crucial. The state's setoff rules and procedural requirements can significantly impact total recovery, requiring careful coordination between trust fund claims and litigation timing.

California also allows "loss of consortium" claims for spouses, potentially increasing total family compensation beyond what's available in many other states.

Local Medical Support & Resources

World-Class Cancer Treatment Centers

California families have access to some of the nation's premier cancer treatment facilities:

Los Angeles Area:

• City of Hope (Duarte) - National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center

• UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center - Leading research and treatment facility

• USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center - Academic medical center with clinical trials

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - Premier cancer treatment and research

Bay Area:

• UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center - World-renowned cancer research and treatment

• Stanford Cancer Institute - Leading academic cancer center with innovative treatments

• Kaiser Permanente - Comprehensive oncology services throughout Northern California

San Diego:

• UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center - National Cancer Institute-designated facility

• Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center - Partnership with renowned Texas cancer center

Travel and Treatment Support

While California has excellent local treatment options, some families prefer specialized facilities like MD Anderson in Houston or Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York. We can ethically advance costs for travel and lodging when families need treatment at out-of-state facilities.

Free Asbestos Health Testing

For families of our mesothelioma clients, we provide free asbestos-related health testing throughout California. We can arrange chest X-rays and other screening at convenient locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and other major metropolitan areas.

This testing is completely free with no strings attached. We don't get reimbursed when compensation comes in, and there's no obligation to hire us even if testing reveals exposure-related changes.

Why Location Matters for Your California Case

Venue Selection Strategy

California's size and diversity create important strategic considerations about where to file cases. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other counties have different procedural rules, judicial experience levels, and jury demographics that can significantly impact case outcomes.

Our California practice analyzes each client's exposure history and residence to determine the optimal venue for their specific case, considering:

• Court experience with asbestos litigation

• Local precedents and jury attitudes

• Procedural advantages in different counties

• Defendant connections to specific jurisdictions

Understanding California's Industrial Geography

California's massive industrial diversity requires deep regional knowledge:

Northern California - Shipyards, refineries, heavy manufacturing, and tech industry Los Angeles Basin - Aerospace, entertainment industry construction, petroleum refining, and shipping Inland Empire - Steel production, logistics, and heavy industry Central Valley - Agricultural equipment and food processing San Diego - Military installations, shipyards, and aerospace

Regulatory Environment

California has historically had stricter workplace safety regulations than many states, which can help establish employer knowledge of asbestos dangers. However, the state's complex regulatory history also requires understanding how standards evolved over time.

Visit or Contact Our Los Angeles Office

In-Person Consultations Available

We welcome in-person appointments by request at our Los Angeles office. We're conveniently located with accessible parking, and we're happy to meet with you and your family in a comfortable, private setting.

Los Angeles Office Address:

Law Offices of Justinian C. Lane, Esq.
6615 Melrose Avenue - #1
Los Angeles, California 90038

Statewide Service

We serve families throughout California, including:

Southern California:

• Los Angeles County: LA, Long Beach, Pasadena, Torrance, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills

• Orange County: Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana

• Riverside County: Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs

• San Bernardino County: San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario

• Ventura County: Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura

• Imperial County: El Centro, Calexico, Brawley

Central California:

• Kern County: Bakersfield, Delano

• Tulare County: Visalia, Tulare

• Fresno County: Fresno, Clovis

• Kings County: Hanford, Lemoore

• Madera County: Madera, Chowchilla

Bay Area:

• San Francisco County: San Francisco

• Alameda County: Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley

• Contra Costa County: Concord, Richmond, Antioch, Walnut Creek

• Santa Clara County: San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Palo Alto

• San Mateo County: Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City

• Solano County: Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville

• Marin County: San Rafael, Novato

Northern California:

• Sacramento County: Sacramento, Elk Grove

• Placer County: Roseville, Rocklin

• El Dorado County: South Lake Tahoe, Placerville

• Yolo County: Davis, Woodland

If you're elsewhere in California, we're happy to conduct consultations by phone or video conference.

Ready to Help

📞 Call Now: 833-4-ASBESTOS (833-427-2378)

During your free consultation, we'll:

• Review your medical diagnosis and exposure history

• Explain all available legal options specific to California law

• Discuss venue strategy and timeline expectations

• Answer your questions about California's specialized asbestos court procedures

• Provide resources to help you understand your situation

We're here to help, at your pace and on your terms.

There's no pressure, no obligation, and no cost for this consultation. We simply want to ensure you understand your options and can make informed decisions about your family's future in California's complex legal landscape.