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 changes everything. Worthington & Caron, PC has practiced limited to asbestos cancer litigation since 1990, recovering more than $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements for patients and families across Los Angeles and Southern California. We don’t just pursue compensation. We connect our clients to leading mesothelioma physicians and active clinical trials, because what matters most after a diagnosis is having the best possible path forward, not just a legal outcome.

Asbestos cancer develops when fibers are inhaled or ingested and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other organs. Mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to develop, meaning many Los Angeles patients diagnosed today were first exposed decades ago 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

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 the industries that used asbestos most heavily. Shipbuilding, aerospace and defense manufacturing, oil refining, and construction all put large numbers of workers in contact with asbestos-containing materials across decades of peak use. Known exposure sites in the area include the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, industrial facilities such as Johns Manville and General Cable Corporation, and major public infrastructure, including Los Angeles International Airport and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Los Angeles consistently ranks among the top jurisdictions in the United States for mesothelioma lawsuits, a reflection of that industrial history.

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 an estimated $30 billion set aside 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

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, and records of asbestos-containing products used in specific trades or at specific sites. Our mesothelioma attorneys can help identify and gather the records that matter most for your particular claim.

California’s Filing Deadline for Asbestos Cancer Claims

California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.2 may set a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury asbestos claims. The clock typically starts from when the claimant first suffered disability from an asbestos-related illness, or from when they knew or should have known that asbestos exposure caused that disability. It does not start from the date of original exposure, which may have been decades earlier. Wrongful death asbestos claims in California must also typically be filed within one year from the date of death.

California’s one-year deadline is shorter than most other states, making prompt legal consultation important for Los Angeles patients. Acting quickly also helps preserve employment records, witness availability, and product documentation that can be difficult to reconstruct over time. If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, getting clarity before that deadline passes is worth the call.

Asbestos Cancer Treatment & Our Connection to Leading Physicians

Treatment for mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, can generate medical costs exceeding one million dollars for some patients. Access to the right specialists and clinical trials can meaningfully affect prognosis and available options. Worthington & Caron, PC connects clients to leading mesothelioma physicians and facilities participating in active clinical trials, because our clients want more than a legal outcome.

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 millions to mesothelioma research and is actively involved with the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. That personal and financial commitment to advancing treatment options is part of what we bring to every client relationship.

Notable Asbestos Cancer Verdicts in Los Angeles County

• 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 are not 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.