Sacramento Mesothelioma Lawyer

Hiring a Sacramento Mesothelioma Lawyer

A skilled Sacramento mesothelioma lawyer offers specialized skills, experience with complex legal cases, guidance and compassion throughout the process. They use their knowledge of the region and experience with similar asbestos cases to assist you and your family in pursuing compensation through lawsuits or asbestos trust funds.

Many major law firms have a significant presence in California, a state with a significant history of asbestos exposure. California is home to several industries that heavily used asbestos fibers, and it also has a high rate of naturally occurring asbestos. According to the Environmental Working Group, California has had more than 27,000 asbestos-related deaths from 1999 to 2017. Sacramento County reported more than 1,000 asbestos-related deaths between 1999 and 2017, the 8th-highest total in California.

This underscores the importance of knowing the California court landscape. Identifying the location of your exposure and the defendants responsible for it is essential to building a successful case.

Your case may be heard in Sacramento County Superior Court. But California also has a specialized court that coordinates many asbestos-related lawsuits across the state. Your case could also be filed in federal court. You may also be eligible for trust fund claims.

When to Hire an Asbestos Attorney

If you live in Sacramento and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The state requires mesothelioma lawsuits to be filed within its statute of limitations. California follows the discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when a patient knew, or reasonably should have known, about their diagnosis, not from the date of the original asbestos exposure.

As soon as you have your initial consultation with a lawyer, they’ll assess your eligibility and the correct jurisdiction to file in. Depending on the details of where your exposure took place and the defendants involved, that could be in California or another state. Law firms with national reach can file and manage your case in the right jurisdiction. They’ll also begin gathering evidence right away to get your case moving.

Mesothelioma Law Firms in Sacramento

When choosing a law firm, it’s critical to consider firms that specialize in mesothelioma litigation and have a strong track record of successfully litigating asbestos cases. Several law firms that fit this description have offices in California and service Sacramento residents.

Firms like Simmons Hanly Conroy, Weitz & Luxenberg and Meirowitz & Wasserberg can bring national resources and years-long experience to your case. Law firms that devote significant time and resources to litigating mesothelioma cases can be a strong choice.

When narrowing down your options, be sure to ask each firm you speak with about its mesothelioma experience and the cases it’s represented in the state. You should also look for client reviews and testimonials of the law firms you are considering to learn more about their reputation.

Working With a Sacramento Asbestos Lawyer

Once you’re in touch with a California mesothelioma attorney, they’ll get to work on building your case. They’ll help you gather documentation relevant to your lawsuit.

Documentation You May Need

• Any work or exposure records
• Financial records
• Medical records related to your diagnosis

Your case will then be filed and your attorney will begin the litigation process. Your legal team will work to negotiate a settlement on your behalf or argue your case in a trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached.

Am I Eligible for Compensation?

Your mesothelioma lawyer will help determine if you’re eligible for compensation, which can depend in part on the strength of your case and the litigation process. People with mesothelioma in California typically pursue compensation through one or more options: asbestos trust funds, with $30 billion or more currently available; personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits; workers’ compensation; and Veterans Affairs benefits for those exposed during military service.

Mesothelioma Verdicts in California

• $10 million: A 65-year-old Alameda County man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after installing asbestos-containing cement pipes received this award.
• $8.6 million: This amount was awarded to a former U.S. Navy machinist in 2005.
• $7 million: A man and his wife received this award in 2016 after multiple defendants were found liable for his mesothelioma.

Many asbestos lawsuits settle before reaching trial. The average mesothelioma settlement nationally is $1 million to $2 million. While rare, some cases proceed to trial if a settlement isn’t reached. A positive verdict can result in a significant payout.

$30B+ IN TRUST FUNDS AVAILABLE

Find the Right Attorney for You

When filing a mesothelioma claim, the right legal representation is everything. We’ll connect you to a top lawyer who will help you secure financial compensation.

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Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Sacramento

Most asbestos exposure happened on the job where workers directly handled asbestos products in their daily tasks or worked in confined, poorly ventilated spaces with asbestos fibers in the air. People who worked in trades that heavily used asbestos products inhaled asbestos fibers, often without protective gear. A Sacramento mesothelioma lawyer can review your work history and help determine whether you qualify to file a claim.

Higher-Risk Jobs in Sacramento

• Boilermakers and pipefitters
• Carpenters and construction workers
• Electricians (industrial and residential)
• HVAC technicians
• Insulators
• Machine operators and millwrights
• Plumbers (especially union plumbers in Sacramento County)
• Railroad workers
• Shipyard and port workers
• U.S. military personnel (especially those stationed at McClellan or Mather between 1940 and 1990)

Sacramento’s industrial and military history has left behind a long list of worksites where people encountered asbestos for decades. People who lived with workers in these fields were also at risk from secondary asbestos exposure. This can occur when asbestos is accidentally carried home from a primary exposure site. When someone works in an asbestos-contaminated environment, there is a risk of the fibers attaching to their hair or clothes. They could bring the asbestos home with them, where it may settle onto furniture or carpeting and put others in the home at risk.

Sacramento Sites With Known Asbestos Exposure Histories

In addition to industrial sites and military bases, people living and working in older buildings in Sacramento can be exposed to legacy asbestos construction materials that remain within them. When buildings containing asbestos insulation, flooring, ceilings and other products are renovated or demolished, the fibers can be released into the air and pose a threat to the public.

Sacramento Asbestos Exposure Sites

• Aerojet General Corporation (Rancho Cordova): Workers at this rocket and missile manufacturing facility were exposed to asbestos in insulation, gaskets and other components used in production and maintenance operations.
• Blue Diamond Growers (Sacramento): Employees at this agricultural processing facility worked around asbestos insulation and equipment throughout much of the 20th century.
• Campbell Soup Company (Sacramento): Factory workers at this food processing plant were exposed to asbestos in boilers, pipes and insulation used in the facility’s industrial operations.
• Kaiser Permanente (Morse Avenue, Sacramento): Hospital staff and contractors worked in older buildings constructed with asbestos-containing materials before federal regulations took effect.
• Mather Air Force Base: Military personnel and civilian contractors came into contact with asbestos in base buildings, aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities during the base’s decades of operation.
• McClellan Air Force Base: Workers and service members at this major Air Force installation faced asbestos exposure in maintenance operations, repair facilities and older base structures.
• Mercy General Hospital (Sacramento): Staff and contractors worked in facilities built with asbestos-containing construction materials common to hospitals of that era.
• Port of Sacramento: Dock workers and port employees were exposed to asbestos in warehouses, ship components and industrial equipment throughout the facility.
• Procter & Gamble (Sacramento): Manufacturing workers at this facility worked around asbestos-containing insulation and equipment used in industrial production.
• Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant: Asbestos was present in pipe insulation, boilers and other components standard to nuclear power facilities of that era.
• Sacramento Army Depot: Military personnel and civilian workers faced asbestos exposure in vehicle maintenance, storage facilities and older base buildings throughout the depot’s operation.
• Sacramento International Airport: Construction and maintenance workers were exposed to asbestos-containing materials used in the airport’s original building and infrastructure.
• Sutter Hospital (Sacramento): Staff and contractors worked in facilities built with asbestos-containing construction materials before modern safety regulations took effect.
• UC Davis Medical Center (formerly Sacramento County Medical Center): Hospital workers and contractors are at risk from asbestos in older building materials installed during the facility’s construction and renovation history.
• Union Carbide Corporation (Elk Grove): Workers at this chemical manufacturing facility faced asbestos exposure through insulation and other asbestos-containing materials used in industrial operations.
• Union Pacific Railroad (Sacramento): Railroad workers were exposed to asbestos in locomotive insulation, brake components and rail yard facilities throughout much of the 20th century.

California also has a number of natural asbestos deposits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, natural asbestos is present in 42 of the state’s 58 counties. In 2006, the California Department of Conservation determined that naturally occurring asbestos was likely present in eastern Sacramento County.

Common Questions About Sacramento Mesothelioma Lawyers

How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take in California?

Most mesothelioma cases settle within 6 to 12 months of being filed. Trust fund claims are usually processed within 3 to 6 months.

Where were Sacramento residents most commonly exposed to asbestos?

Many Sacramento veterans were exposed to asbestos during military service at McClellan Air Force Base, Mather Air Force Base or the Sacramento Army Depot, especially between 1940 and 1990. Others faced exposure through industrial work at sites like Aerojet, Union Pacific Railroad, Procter & Gamble or Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant. Workers in older Sacramento County hospitals, schools and commercial buildings also face risk. Naturally occurring asbestos in the soil and rock of eastern Sacramento County also plays a significant role in the area’s exposure history.

Can family members file a Sacramento mesothelioma claim after a loved one passes away?

Yes. California allows surviving spouses, children and certain other heirs to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who passed from mesothelioma. Surviving families can also pursue trust fund claims independently of court filings. Documentation requirements include the death certificate, medical records establishing mesothelioma and any available work or military service history.

How much does it cost to hire a Sacramento mesothelioma lawyer?

Most mesothelioma lawyers 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 for you, typically as an agreed percentage of the settlement or verdict.

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