Mesothelioma Lawyers in Los Angeles

Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Los Angeles

These firms have offices in or near Los Angeles and represent California asbestos patients on contingency, meaning patients and families pay no fees unless the lawyer wins their case. The top law firms for mesothelioma claims in Los Angeles include several nationwide practices that have offices in or near Los Angeles County.

Key Facts

1. Los Angeles ranks No. 5 in the country for mesothelioma lawsuits and No. 8 overall for asbestos filings, according to KCIC’s Asbestos Litigation: 2025 Year in Review.
2. Mesothelioma lawyers in Los Angeles work on contingency. Patients pay no fees unless they win.
3. The national average mesothelioma settlement is $1 million to $2 million. Recent Los Angeles verdicts have reached $52.1 million.

Weitz & Luxenberg has an office in Los Angeles, Cooney & Conway has an office in Pasadena and Simmons Hanly Conroy has an office in El Segundo. These firms can help Los Angeles residents file a claim in other states if necessary if their exposure occurred elsewhere. Nationwide asbestos law firms’ network of mesothelioma attorneys have experience managing cases in multiple states.

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Los Angeles

Los Angeles ranks No. 5 among leading jurisdictions in the U.S. for mesothelioma lawsuits, according to KCIC’s Asbestos Litigation: 2025 Year in Review. Los Angeles also ranks No. 8 overall for asbestos litigation filings. The city ranks No. 5 for mesothelioma lawsuits and No. 3 for talc lawsuits. Asbestos lawsuits include personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims.

Los Angeles residents diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer or asbestosis may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. It’s essential to file within California’s deadline for mesothelioma lawsuits known as the mesothelioma statute of limitations. Speaking with a qualified Los Angeles mesothelioma attorney is the best first step in exploring your legal options.

Mesothelioma Compensation Awarded to Los Angeles Residents 

Mesothelioma compensation in Los Angeles County varies based on exposure history, the defendants involved and whether a case settles or goes to trial. Compensation may come from asbestos trust funds, lawsuit verdicts or mesothelioma settlements. Los Angeles juries have awarded significant verdicts, but most mesothelioma lawsuits are settled before trial.

Notable Mesothelioma Verdicts

• $52.1 million: A Los Angeles jury awarded this amount to Rita-Ann Chapman in 2022, who developed mesothelioma from asbestos-contaminated talc in Avon cosmetics and secondary exposure from her husband’s work handling asbestos-containing brakes, clutches and gaskets at Hyster-Yale Group.
• $48 million: Bobbie Izell’s family received a $48 million verdict from the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2012. He was exposed to asbestos in construction materials and developed mesothelioma. The lawsuit involved defendants such as CalPortland, Riverside Cement and Union Carbide.
• $43 million: A Los Angeles County jury awarded this amount to Deanne Warren who experienced secondary asbestos exposure in 2022. She was exposed while washing her husband’s asbestos-contaminated work clothes from Algoma Hardwoods Inc.
• $11 million: Alfred Mata and his wife received this award when a Los Angeles jury found in their favor in their lawsuit against Liberty Utilities Corp. in 2018. Secondary asbestos exposure through Mata’s father, who worked with Liberty’s asbestos pipes, caused him to develop mesothelioma.

Most California mesothelioma cases settle, and the national average for negotiated mesothelioma settlements is $1 million to $2 million. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can evaluate your case and assess what compensation may be available for you. 

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Los Angeles

Several industries, jobsites and older buildings are known sources of asbestos exposure in Los Angeles. Shipyards, oil refineries, aerospace and defense facilities, power plants, manufacturing plants and public buildings all put workers and residents at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos exposure in Los Angeles has been documented in the Hunters Point area, shipyards such as the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, oil refineries like Chevron’s El Segundo facility and aerospace plants including Lockheed in Burbank. Workers in construction, automotive repair (especially brake mechanics) and the entertainment industry’s set-construction trades were also exposed to asbestos-containing materials throughout the 20th century.

Sites Known for Asbestos Exposure in Los Angeles

• Aerospace and defense facilities: Lockheed Burbank, Northrop Grumman, Rocketdyne Canoga Park and Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo exposed workers to asbestos in manufacturing and maintenance operations.
• Asbestos deposits: Los Angeles County is home to 5 natural asbestos deposits, including a deposit of amphibole fibers and a former asbestos mine. Asbestos deposits are found in 42 of California’s 58 counties.
• Construction sites: Construction materials commonly contained asbestos as a fireproofing agent. Contaminated tiles, insulation, adhesives, walling, flooring and roofing materials put workers at risk of exposure.
• Factories and manufacturing plants: Johns Manville, Firestone Tire, Ford Assembly Plant and Consolidated Steel Corporation had industrial facilities in the Los Angeles area where workers encountered asbestos-containing products.
• Oil refineries: Workers at Atlantic Richfield (commonly known as ARCO), Chevron Oil and Union Oil refineries in the Los Angeles area faced asbestos exposure in refining and maintenance operations.
• Power generation plants: Southern California Edison facilities used arc chutes, panels, firebricks, gaskets and boilers containing asbestos. Workers using and maintaining these products were exposed in tight quarters.
• Public buildings: Building materials used in construction before the 1980s, like in Los Angeles County Jail, Los Angeles International Airport and University of California facilities, often contained asbestos.
• Residential homes and dwellings: Homes, condos and apartments built before the 1980s likely contain asbestos construction materials.
• Shipyards: Navy veterans and civilian workers experienced asbestos exposure at Los Angeles-area shipyards including Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Todd Pacific Shipyards in San Pedro and Terminal Island. Veterans exposed at these sites may qualify for VA disability benefits alongside any civil lawsuit.

Asbestos exposure, even in small amounts or through secondary exposure, can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer. Residents of Los Angeles diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases should speak with a skilled attorney. An experienced California mesothelioma lawyer will gather evidence of your exposure to begin building your case quickly, filing within the state’s statute of limitations.

In addition to lawsuits, you may qualify for an asbestos trust fund, workers’ compensation and VA benefits. Top law firms work on contingency and collect no fees unless they secure mesothelioma compensation for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Mesothelioma Lawyers

Where in Los Angeles were people exposed to asbestos?

People in Los Angeles were most commonly exposed to asbestos at shipyards like Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Todd Pacific Shipyards, aerospace and defense facilities like Lockheed Burbank and Northrop Grumman, oil refineries like Atlantic Richfield and Chevron, public buildings like LAX and Los Angeles County Jail and industrial manufacturing plants throughout the LA basin. Veterans, shipyard workers, mechanics, electricians and construction workers faced the highest risk.

Who is eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Los Angeles?

You may be eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Los Angeles if you have a confirmed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related disease diagnosis, your exposure occurred at a California workplace, military installation or through an asbestos-containing product and you file within California’s statute of limitations. Family members can also file a wrongful death claim.

What is the average mesothelioma settlement in Los Angeles?

The average mesothelioma settlement nationally is between $1 million and $2 million. Trial verdicts are often higher. Recent Los Angeles verdicts include $52.1 million for Rita-Ann Chapman in 2022 and $43 million for Deanne Warren in 2022.

How much does a mesothelioma lawyer in Los Angeles cost?

Mesothelioma lawyers in Los Angeles work on a contingency basis, so patients don’t pay anything upfront. There are no hourly rates and no retainer fees. The lawyer collects a fee only if they recover compensation, typically as an agreed percentage of the settlement or verdict.

Can my family file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one died of mesothelioma in California?

Yes. California allows spouses, children and certain dependents to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation from wrongful death claims can cover funeral costs, lost income and compensation for the loss of the loved one’s care and companionship.

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