Mesothelioma Lawyers in Los Angeles

Were You Diagnosed with Mesothelioma After Being Exposed to Asbestos? Let Us Help You Fight for Compensation.

The period right after being diagnosed with mesothelioma is one of the toughest times in anyone’s life. We know that’s an understatement. It may be hard to grapple with the difficult emotions such a diagnosis should bring at the same time you make medical decisions and manage your care. Then, there’s the question of filing a lawsuit to help cover the costs of your treatment and defray the other losses you face.

Our lawyers not only work to get you fair compensation in the courtroom, but also care about you and your family outside of the courtroom. We understand what you are going through. Most of our mesothelioma clients come to us not for their own financial gain, but because they want to make sure that their family is provided for into the future. We take this trust seriously.

We’re here to make your next steps as easy and successful as possible. Because there really is a way to file a mesothelioma lawsuit that works for your life—giving you the most time possible with your family and the greatest chance for significant and fair financial compensation. Robins Cloud LLP has fought for mesothelioma patients for over 2 decades, helping them win settlements and jury verdicts so they can rest assured their family’s financial needs are covered. You need someone on your side during this time—someone who knows how to protect your right to compensation.

Robins Cloud LLP has helped mesothelioma patients throughout the United States file for compensation. Our dedication to helping you is proven in everything we do, starting with our free consultations. You can meet us in our Los Angeles office or, if that’s not possible, we’ll come to you. Call us at (800) 691-2363 today to get started with your case.

Do You Have Mesothelioma?

Since mesothelioma is relatively rare, it is sometimes hard for patients to get an accurate diagnosis. The cancer’s initial symptoms may be confused with other, less serious health complications. From aches and pains to a slight cough, it can be difficult for patients to have their concerns taken seriously at first. We advise you to tell your doctor if you are experiencing common indicators of mesothelioma and think you might have been exposed to asbestos in the past.

Symptoms mesothelioma patients report are:

• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the abdomen or chest area
• Pleural effusions (fluid buildup between the lining of the lungs)

There are multiple types of mesothelioma, and your symptoms may vary based on the form of the cancer you have. It’s important to know that asbestos exposure at any time in your life can result in mesothelioma development as you age. The disease often forms over decades, meaning someone who was exposed to asbestos years ago may just now be experiencing the first warning signs. If you are experiencing the above symptoms and think there is any chance you were exposed to asbestos earlier in your life, it’s a good idea to raise the subject with your doctor.

Pleural Mesothelioma: The Most Common Form

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelial cells of the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma . It represents about 75% of diagnosed cases of mesothelioma.

This cancer is an asbestos-related disease of pleura caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. People who worked in jobs with high asbestos dust exposure are at the greatest risk of developing pleural mesothelioma. However, exposure to asbestos can occur anytime asbestos fibers have been released into the air. This can happen during the renovation or maintenance of buildings when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or as they age and weather over time. Unlike other types of disease caused by asbestos, pleural mesothelioma can be caused by a relatively low rate of exposure.

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Shortness of Breath
• Fluid Buildup Around the Lungs
• Fatigue
• Weight Loss

Why Receiving a Diagnosis May Be Difficult

The symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for 20 to 50 years after your exposure to asbestos, and can also be attributed to many other common ailments. Physical examination, lung function tests, and radiographic study can provide clues. But a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Some doctors do not think to order such a test and, as such, the disease can progress before a patient is even aware it exists.

Unfortunately, pleural mesothelioma has a poor prognosis. It is considered incurable, but with early detection and an appropriate treatment protocol, survival times can be increased. In one case, a patient’s mesothelioma did not prove fatal for 20 years.

Treating Mesothelioma

Unfortunately, there is still no cure for mesothelioma. This is in part due to the relative rarity of mesothelioma as compared to other cancers resulted in smaller funding for research studies. But there is hope. Despite the lack of a cure, there are many treatment options and clinical trials that you or your loved one with mesothelioma can be involved in—both to give your family more time and to improve your family member’s quality of life.

Treatment options for mesothelioma patients include:

• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Surgery
• Palliative care

In addition, clinical trials may be an option for some people suffering from mesothelioma. Participating in a clinical trial can not only give patients access to potentially cutting-edge treatment options, but also provides an opportunity to help future mesothelioma patients by contributing to mesothelioma cancer research. The best treatment strategy for each patient will depend on a variety of factors including their age, gender, and overall health and the stage of the disease.

Studies indicate that a cocktail of chemotherapy medications can increase median survival times. A recent FDA approval for Pemetrexed (Alimta®) showed the median survival time for patients who received this drug and Cisplatin T was 12.1 months, an improvement over the 9.3 months a Cisplatin T patient could expect. Several tumor biomarkers are also being evaluated for possible early detection of Mesothelioma. You can visit the most current medical trials on the U.S. National Institutes of Health website here.

Moving Forward After a Diagnosis

Since mesothelioma is such a dangerous and rare cancer, you may want to work with a mesothelioma cancer specialist to ensure that you are receiving the best possible treatment. There are several mesothelioma specialists across the country. Our team at Robins Cloud LLP has worked with many of these doctors in past cases.

There are also several support groups for mesothelioma patients, and we highly recommend these for our clients.The largest non-profit advocacy group working to ban asbestos is the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and they have an inspirational program called “Tell Your Story.”

The physical and emotional toll on asbestos victims and their families cannot be overstated. When the huge burden of mesothelioma becomes too much, we are here to help.

The Link Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Since asbestos mining took off at the turn of the 20^th century, experts have known exposure to the substance can cause serious lung impairment and even death. Unfortunately, the substance had so many benefits that this science was largely ignored. The manufacturers of asbestos-containing products chose not to warn their employees or consumers of the dangers of asbestos. Even once the evidence against it became overwhelming, the asbestos industry vigorously defended their position that asbestos did not cause lung disease. This argument has been universally rejected by every governmental health agency that has addressed this issue.

Asbestos exposure is still discussed in scientific circles because mesothelioma cases continue to appear. The scientific consensus points to the fact that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Learn About Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

With mesothelioma lawsuits, there’s a limited “window of opportunity” to file a lawsuit. This means more often than not families should consider filing a lawsuit while their loved one is undergoing treatment.

Over the 25+ years we’ve been helping mesothelioma patients, we have found ways to provide all-around support that addresses your many needs at this time. We make it our priority to help families not only navigate a lawsuit, but also deal with the many questions and concerns that surround a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Not only can we help you file a claim for compensation against the company that exposed you to asbestos, but we can also help you get wills and other legal papers in order. If you’re worried about the costs of treatment, we routinely help our clients resolve medical liens, Medicare and private insurance liens, and veterans’ administration liens.

Our team knows a number of support groups that may help you and your loved ones with online and in-person opportunities for learning, connection, and inspiration. Finally, it’s important to know we work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay us nothing upfront. We know you are facing enough financial difficulty at this time.

Until we recover compensation for you, you will owe us nothing.

Why do we do it? Because we believe that no matter how hard it may be, every family harmed by mesothelioma deserves the right to hold the asbestos defendants accountable for the immense harm they caused.

Understanding Your Compensation Options in a Mesothelioma Suit

The law recognizes mesothelioma victims and their loved ones are entitled to compensation from companies that mine, manufacture or sell products containing asbestos. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, it is critically important you talk to an attorney about asserting a claim against those responsible for your exposure to asbestos.

Though it may not be possible to sue an asbestos company outright, there is a special provision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that forces asbestos companies to fund a trust to pay claims of those who were injured by their negligent actions. This allows a company to limit their liability to people who have suffered due to their negligence. The problem here is that these funds can be exhausted due to the high number of workers and consumers who are developing mesothelioma due to past asbestos exposure. That’s why you need to act quickly to protect your right to obtain compensation. Over $30 billion has been set aside in trust funds to help people like you with treatment costs and other mesothelioma-linked losses.

How to Vet Your Mesothelioma Lawyers

When it comes to filing a claim for mesothelioma, we know you want to make sure you have the right attorney team on your side. You need someone who cares about you and your needs, and who’s not afraid to do the hard work of fighting against a company that may not want to offer a fair settlement.

Where do we stand? Robins Cloud LLP is small enough to take personal interest in your case, but large enough to bring the power you need into the courtroom.

There are a variety of law firms that advertise services for mesothelioma patients, but not all of them can be trusted to deliver. Here are a few firms you might consider:

• The small, general practice law firm: There may be a small law firm in your area you rely on for other legal needs. While they are great for simpler issues like helping with contracts or simple personal injury claims, these firms often lack the necessary expertise to handle mesothelioma cases, as well as the financial and other resources needed to sustain themselves for months or years without pay. If they are able to secure some form of compensation for a mesothelioma lawsuit, it’s likely that the sum is nowhere near what you could receive with a more experienced mesothelioma lawyer.
• The big, fancy law firm: These firms tends to have a snazzy headquarters in a major city and at least 100 employees on their payroll. (For the record, we have about 50 employees, including lawyers and staff—we think this is just the right size.) While these firms may have resources, they often do not care about their clients as much as they do signing new cases. While their lawyers will file your claim, it can be hard to get an update from the staff on its status, much less receive help with other related issues that are on your mind.
• The mesothelioma “referral” firm: These are the firms that place ads on TV looking for mesothelioma patients. This does not indicate a special focus or expertise in these cases. The law firm that’s advertising is often just a front or “holder” law firm where the business model is to send mesothelioma cases to other law firms. That means that you likely won’t be working with the firm you initially contacted, which can lead to confusion about who you should reach out to for help. Unfortunately, some law firms are all about getting a high-volume of mesothelioma clients because they work more like an assembly line. Sometimes they only have their mesothelioma clients participate in the asbestos bankruptcy trusts, even if they would receive more compensation through other legal routes. This means you end up paying for someone who pushes papers instead of the high-value legal work that you really need.

Robins Cloud LLP is not like these firms. We do have experience in helping mesothelioma victims—just see our case results below. We take a personal interest in every client we work with. And, we do not contract with other law firms unless there is a compelling reason to seek out additional support. In general, beware of any law firm that will not commit to handling your case from start to finish. You deserve full support from a dedicated team, not a piecemeal effort with little legal skill required.

For more advice on finding the best firm to help you, read what Linda Reinstein, founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), says about hiring a mesothelioma law firm or our message on choosing a mesothelioma lawyer.

The History of Mesothelioma Litigation

Litigation regarding the cause of the respiratory disease suffered by asbestos workers was initially confined to the workers’ compensation arena. When product liability law was developing and courts were defining its parameters and rules, civil lawsuits were filed alleging that asbestos was a defective product and that the manufacturers were strictly liable for injuries caused by asbestos. As more asbestos cases came through the courts, the law was refined and has since helped thousands of asbestos patients receive compensation after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The first modern-day lawsuit alleging injury caused by asbestos was filed in Texas in 1966. Claude Tomplait filed a lawsuit against 11 manufacturers of insulation products containing asbestos. He had been diagnosed with “pulmonary dust disease” caused by asbestos. Of those 11 manufacturers, 5 settled, 5 were dropped from the lawsuit, and the suit proceeded to trial against the last defendant, Fibreboard. Fibreboard won. Mr. Tomplait’s attorney, Ward Stephensen, undeterred by the loss and armed with the findings of asbestos researcher Dr. Selikoff, filed another lawsuit on behalf of Clarence Borel in the federal district court. This case would become one of the most famous asbestos cases ever.

Clarence Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, et. al.

On October 20, 1969, Clarence Borel filed suit in the Eastern District of Texas seeking $1 million in damages against Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, Johns-Manville Products Corporation, and 9 other asbestos insulation manufacturers. Mr. Borel, diagnosed with mesothelioma, passed before the case went to trial. After Mr. Borel’s death, his wife filled in his shoes as the Plaintiff.

As in the Tomplait case, negligence and breach of warranty had been alleged. However, attorney Stephensen also alleged a strict product liability cause of action alleging the defendants knew that asbestos was dangerous and failed to warn of the known danger. The failure to warn about the known danger rendered the product unreasonably dangerous and, as such, the defendants were strictly liable for the injuries caused by that product.

The case ultimately turned upon William Scheckler’s testimony, given on behalf of defendant Johns-Manville Corporation, a manufacturer of asbestos products. Witness William Scheckler was Johns-Manville Corporation’s accident prevention manager. He denied knowing about the danger of asbestos until the release of Dr. Selikoff’s presentation of findings in October of 1964. If a jury were to believe this, then Johns-Manville would not be responsible for any illness caused by asbestos exposure prior to 1964.

In rebuttal to Mr. Scheckler’s testimony, Attorney Stephenson introduced into evidence over 90 publicly-available scientific studies documenting a link between asbestos and serious lung disease that had been published before 1940, over twenty years before Dr. Selikoff’s famous 1964 presentation. Mr. Scheckler testified that it not occurred to management that pulmonary disease could occur to workers who were not at fixed position, implicitly acknowledging the defendant did know there was a danger. The jury recognized that the asbestos defendant was responsible for Mr. Borel’s injuries and awarded him $79,436, which the asbestos defendant then challenged on appeal.

Mesothelioma FAQs

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of mineral fibers that is naturally found in rocks buried underground. There are 6 different types of asbestos fibers: chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite, and crocidolite. In their natural form, none of these fibers pose a risk of harm to human beings. However, when they are extracted from rocks to be used in products, the fibers are small enough to become airborne. Workers or consumers can inhale asbestos fibers, which can either get trapped in the lungs or pass into the bloodstream.

Asbestos fibers are extremely strong, durable, chemical resistant, and heat resistant. At the same time, they are very light. These properties led to asbestos being used in building and manufacturing of all sorts. For decades, companies decided the risks to their employees and customers were worth the benefits of asbestos. Now, many who made or bought their products are developing mesothelioma.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos. Most mesotheliomas occur in the thin tissue lining that surrounds the lungs, called the pleura. Mesothelioma can also occur in the lining that surrounds the abdomen, called the peritoneum.

Each year, approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Why Is Asbestos So Dangerous?

The same properties that make asbestos such an effective building material make it a health disaster for the workers who were exposed to it. Asbestos fibers are extremely light and thin. This allows them to float through the air where they can be inhaled. Once in the body, asbestos is virtually indestructible. Because they are so small, these fibers bypass many of our natural defense systems. They can stay in the body for decades, slowly causing dangerous mutations that lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos was widely used in consumer products and industrial machinery.

Here are just a few of the applications this product was used in:

• Automobile brakes;
• Joint compound used in finishing drywall in homes and offices;
• Thermal insulation;
• Ships;
• Chemical plants;
• Refineries;
• Boilers;
• Turbines;
• Gaskets;
• Pump and valve packing;
• Pumps;
• Motors;
• Pipes for caustic or acidic applications;
• Hot tops in steel mills;
• Cement water lines;
• Roofing materials;
• HVAC systems;
• Industrial talc;
• Cosmetic talc;
• Some paint mixes; and
• Flask liners used in making gold crowns for dental fillings.

Can Workers “Pass” Asbestos and Mesothelioma to Their Families?

Robins Cloud LLP has represented several partners and children of asbestos workers who developed mesothelioma. In many cases, workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothes. When they changed or washed their clothes, the fibers were released into the air in the house. This could happen every workday for years, resulting in long-term exposure for the whole family. Now, many of those family members are developing mesothelioma. We are helping them hold the responsible companies liable.

Our Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

One of the most important factors in choosing a mesothelioma law firm is the firm’s history of success in mesothelioma lawsuits. Robins Cloud LLP has a strong record of wins for our clients as demonstrated by these case results.

Many law firms advertise the “gross” amount, which can be an eye-catching number. But it is not the amount the client receives. The amounts listed below are net to client after the deduction for attorney fees and expenses.

Please remember every case is different, and no outcome is guaranteed. Our attorneys can work with you to determine the value of your claim.

• $3,665,000 for a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 70. He was a construction worker who often worked with asbestos-laden materials.
• $3,625,000 for an aircraft mechanic with mesothelioma. The case went to trial against an asbestos pipe insulation manufacturer and was settled after a jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client.
• $2,866,000 for a client who worked at a refinery. The case went to trial and was settled after a jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client.
• $2,653,000 for a client who worked at a refinery. The case went to trial and was settled after a jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client.
• $2,450,000 for a refinery worker with mesothelioma. The case was tried to a verdict and settled at a later date, after a jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client.
• $2,233,645 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 56. He worked as a Navy machinist and later as a machinist for a refinery where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $2,127,358 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 52. He worked as a plumber at various industrial and other commercial sites where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $1,941,146 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 73 after working as a pipefitter at various refineries and chemical plants.
• $1,886,419 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 85. He worked as a pipefitter at a chemical plant where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $1,849,120 for a minister who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. His only exposure happened during the year he worked at a steel mill as a Masonry Laborer.
• $1,695,491 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 72. He worked as a pipefitter at chemical plants and refineries where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $1,607,585 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 73. He worked in maintenance at a chemical plant where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $1,252,194 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 77. He worked as a maintenance supervisor at a chemical plant where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $1,235,477 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 66. He worked as a Navy ship fitter, a pipefitter, and a neon light installer where he was exposed to asbestos.
• $1,224,313 for a client who was an engineer at a chemical plant where he was exposed to asbestos. He was diagnosed at age 76.
• $1,168,570 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos at various commercial job sites he visited as an electrician.
• $1,062,007 for a client who was diagnosed with mesothelioma and was exposed to asbestos at a steel mill.

Robins Cloud LLP has also represented many family members of asbestos workers who developed mesothelioma. A worker could unknowingly expose their loved one by bringing home microscopic asbestos fibers on their clothing.

• $2,028,022 for a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 57. She was exposed to asbestos brought home on the clothes of her husband, a chemical plant worker.
• $2,086,395 for a construction worker who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 54. His father had worked at a refinery, and he was exposed to the asbestos brought home on his father’s clothes. In addition, as a drywall technician he was exposed through an asbestos-containing joint compound.
• $2,100,000 for the family of a shipyard worker with mesothelioma. He worked at Todd Shipyards, where he was exposed to asbestos. The case was tried to a verdict against Pittsburgh Corning and was settled at a later date, after a jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client.

We’re also known for working with clients who have unique or “difficult” exposure histories. Our attorneys have successfully argued for workers who were exposed to asbestos in uncommon or unexpected ways:

• A dentist with mesothelioma whose only exposure was from making gold dental crowns, using the lost wax method, which used asbestos-containing dental tape.
• A neon light installer who used “asbestos felt” to protect against the patters from the hot glass and also for protection during welding.
• A steel mill worker who was exposed to asbestos “Hot Tops” which are used on the top of the ingot molds to increase the steel yield.
• A copy machine repairer who was exposed to the asbestos used for heat shielding inside copiers.
• An eraser-maker in a pencil factory who used asbestos-containing talc as part of the creation process.

You Can Trust Our Mesothelioma Lawyers to Provide the Quality Help You Need

For over twenty-five years, mesothelioma patients and their families have turned to our lawyers to help them pursue justice against the corporations that exposed them to asbestos. We have helped families across the nation, in nearly every one of the 50 states. Our lawyers are known for successfully taking on the tough cases that other law firms often shy away from.

We’ll Take Tough Cases

What does a “tough” mesothelioma case look like? It could be a mesothelioma case with an out of the ordinary type of asbestos exposure (like wives exposed to asbestos from washing their husband’s clothes, children exposed to asbestos in their homes, or dentists exposed to asbestos when making gold crowns). Or, it could be a mesothelioma case against one of the asbestos companies that refuses to offer fair settlements and takes every case to trial. Either way, our lawyers are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work to find the truth and pursue justice for you and your family.

We Truly Care About Our Clients

We are proud to be recognized for our remarkable wins for mesothelioma victims, but prouder to be known for our longstanding relationships with clients. Our senior attorneys (even those with their names on the firm) routinely give their personal cell phone numbers to our mesothelioma clients. We know this is an incredibly difficult time for you, so we do everything we can to make the lawsuit process easier.

That means working around your schedule and not forcing “office hours” on you when things are already so hard.

We will come to meet you and your family, no matter where you live in the country. We’ll work around your doctor’s appointments and family time, too. Yes, that means we do a lot of Sunday afternoon house calls. But since we know what you’re going through, we want to do whatever we can to ease your burden.

We Have the Experience to See Your Case Through

We’ve been on the front lines of mesothelioma litigation for over twenty-five years, and we’ve spent all that time helping clients receive justice. We don’t pass cases off to other firms or push clients to the easy solution. We provide advice and guidance so you can decide what you want from your case. Then, we put in the work to meet your needs.

Mesothelioma claims can be difficult to fight, but when we take on a client, we are with them to the very end of their case, no matter what that may look like. This disease takes too much from workers, consumers, and families who have been exposed to asbestos. We want to help you take on the companies that knowingly put you and your family in danger. If you have questions, we are here to answer them. If you think you may have a case, our attorneys are here to speak with you—absolutely free.

During this difficult time, we realize there is not much that can be a comfort. However, filing for compensation so you can access treatment and continue to provide for your family can help address one of the worries many mesothelioma patients face. If we can make that process any easier for you, we want to help.

From our Los Angeles office, the attorneys at Robins Cloud LLP can help mesothelioma patients anywhere in the nation. Call us today at (800) 691-2363 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with one of our caring and experienced asbestos attorneys.