FAQs on Mesothelioma in California

Mesothelioma is a serious disease associated with exposure to asbestos. A total of 45,221 people died from malignant mesothelioma in the United States during 1995 through 2015, as reported by CDC. Here, we provide answers to frequently asked questions about mesothelioma in California.

What Exactly Is Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer occurring in the mesothelium – the thin layer of tissue that covers most of our internal organs, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. In most cases, mesothelioma affects the tissue surrounding the lungs. It is a deadly, aggressive form of cancer. For most people who have malignant mesothelioma, there is no cure.

How Prevalent Is Mesothelioma in California?

Nowhere in the U.S. have more people died from asbestos-related diseases than in California. Between 1999 and 2010, nearly 3,000 people died from mesothelioma statewide. California has a history of exposure through naval shipyards, such as the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, which was shut down by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1991. California also has industrial facilities up and down the state including oil refineries, manufacturing plants and other industries that used asbestos materials.

What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma, affecting the tissue surrounding the lungs, has the following signs and symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Painful cough
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unusual lumps under the skin of the chest

When this form of cancer occurs in tissue in the abdomen, symptoms may include abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, and unexplained weight loss. This is called peritoneal mesothelioma and the usual treatment is a debulking surgery with heated chemotherapy infused into the peritoneum.

What Are the Most Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure?

Before the mid-1970s, most insulation materials in the U.S. contained asbestos. It was an inexpensive, highly effective, flame-retardant, thermal, and acoustic insulator used in many different building materials. Asbestos was included in a wide range of products including:

• Siding materials
• Vinyl floor tiles
• Window caulking and glazing
• HVAC duct insulation
• Plaster
• Roofing materials
• Some types of linoleum
• Corrugated heavy duty 4 by 8 foot panels
• Fiber cement
• Blown-in attic insulation
• Glue used to attach floor tiles to wood or concrete

Where Has Asbestos Exposure Occurred in California?

Over the decades, many people in California have been exposed to asbestos, both on the job and off. Among many others, California sites where known asbestos exposure has occurred include:

• Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco
• San Diego Naval Base
• Alameda Naval Air Station
• Concord Naval Weapons Station
• South Bay Asbestos Area, Santa Clara County
• California Zonolite facility, Glendale
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power plants
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company nuclear power plants
• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, San Francisco
• Fibreboard Paper Products, Southgate and Redwood City

Does Workers’ Compensation Pay Benefits for Mesothelioma?

Workers’ compensation is designed to protect workers who are injured on the job, and to protect employers from employee lawsuits. If you have developed mesothelioma because of work-related exposure to asbestos, workers’ comp benefits could provide some limited compensation. However, workers’ compensation alone may not be enough in the case of a life-threatening disease such as mesothelioma. If a negligent third party contributed to your exposure and resulting illness, you may have a personal injury claim for compensation.

Why Choose Us for Mesothelioma Representation in California?

Our team of talented lawyers at Levy Konigsberg have been working for decades to protect the rights of those who have been injured through the negligence of others. We are the firm you can go to when the stakes are high. Since 1985, we have been fighting for the rights of people who have been affected by harmful asbestos exposure.

If you or your loved one has developed Mesothelioma in California, contact our firm at (800) 315-3806 to find out how we can help.