Mesothelioma Lawyer Los Angeles

Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyer. One-year CCP 340.2 deadline, CCP 36 trial preference, asbestos trust claims. Free consultation: (818) 514-7680.

Updated September 14, 2026. A Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyer represents people diagnosed with mesothelioma — a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure — and their families. Trembach Law represents Los Angeles County mesothelioma patients on a contingency fee: no fee unless we win. Attorney Anatolii Trembach (California Bar #349304) offers free same-day consultations, with home and hospital visits throughout LA County. Call (818) 514-7680.

Where Los Angeles Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos

Los Angeles County has one of the highest concentrations of documented asbestos exposure sites in the United States: the Long Beach Naval Shipyard (1943–1997, more than 50,000 workers), Todd Pacific Shipyard in San Pedro, California Shipbuilding and Consolidated Steel in Wilmington; aerospace plants including Lockheed Burbank, Hughes Aircraft Culver City, Northrop Hawthorne and El Segundo, North American Aviation/Rockwell in Downey, and Rocketdyne's Canoga Park plants and Santa Susana Field Laboratory test operations; refineries and oil fields including Chevron El Segundo, Phillips 66 Wilmington, Marathon Carson, and the Signal Hill and Wilmington oil fields; the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where longshoremen handled raw asbestos cargo and asbestos-insulated ship machinery for decades; and LADWP generating stations (Valley, Harbor, Haynes, Scattergood). Family members exposed to fibers carried home on work clothing also qualify for claims.

Deadlines: California's One-Year Asbestos Statute of Limitations

California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.2 is widely misdescribed as running one year from diagnosis. It does not. Under § 340.2(a) the period is the later of one year after the plaintiff first suffered disability, or one year after the plaintiff knew or should have known that the disability was caused by asbestos exposure — and § 340.2(b) defines disability as loss of time from work that precludes performing the plaintiff's regular occupation. For a retiree who never lost work time, the clock may not have started at all, so a diagnosis some time ago does not by itself mean a claim is barred. For wrongful death, § 340.2(c) sets the later of one year from the date of death or one year from when the plaintiff knew or should have known the death was asbestos-related. Because mesothelioma is terminal and time-sensitive, CCP § 36 lets seriously ill plaintiffs move for trial preference — a trial date within roughly 120 days. Los Angeles County asbestos cases are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse and coordinated through JCCP No. 4674.

Compensation Available to Los Angeles Mesothelioma Patients

Compensation typically comes from several sources at once: lawsuits against solvent product manufacturers and premises owners, claims against asbestos bankruptcy trusts (holding an estimated $30 billion for victims, per RAND research), and VA benefits for Navy veterans. Mesothelioma settlements commonly range from $1 million to $2.4 million, and California juries award more: in October 2025 a Los Angeles jury returned a $966 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a talc-asbestos mesothelioma case (the trial court overturned the punitive portion in March 2026 while leaving the causation finding intact; the family is appealing).

Why Trembach Law

Every case is handled by a named, verifiable California attorney — Anatolii Trembach, Esq. — with same-week complaint filing, immediate CCP § 36 preference motions for qualifying clients, and consultations in English, Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Armenian, and Persian. Free case review: (818) 514-7680.

Fees, Costs and Case Results

Where representation is offered on a contingency basis there is no attorney fee unless we recover, and the firm advances case costs — filing fees, expert witnesses and medical records — which are then repaid out of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The specific terms that apply to a matter are set out in the written fee agreement for that matter.

Where this site refers to a verdict, settlement or court order, that result was dependent on the facts of that case, and results will differ if based on different facts. Past results do not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other matter, and no particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a mesothelioma lawyer in Los Angeles cost?
Our Los Angeles mesothelioma lawyers work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no hidden charges. We advance all litigation expenses including expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, and court filing fees. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, typically 33-40%, and is only collected if we obtain compensation for you.
What is the average mesothelioma settlement in Los Angeles?
What a claim is actually worth turns on the documented medical course and prognosis, proven lost earnings, the share of fault attributed to the claimant, and the insurance limits available to pay a judgment. Jury verdicts in California mesothelioma cases frequently exceed $10 million, with some landmark verdicts reaching over $90 million.
How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for mesothelioma personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of diagnosis or the date you reasonably should have known about the disease. For asbestos-related wrongful death claims, the deadline is one year from the date of death under CCP Section 340.2(c), a special asbestos statute that is shorter than the general two-year California wrongful death rule. However, the discovery rule in California can extend these deadlines in certain circumstances. Contact a mesothelioma attorney immediately after diagnosis to protect your rights.
Can I file a mesothelioma lawsuit if I was exposed to asbestos decades ago?
Yes. Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years between asbestos exposure and diagnosis. California law recognizes this through the discovery rule, which starts the statute of limitations clock from the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. Many of our Los Angeles clients were exposed to asbestos in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s at shipyards, refineries, aerospace plants, and construction sites throughout LA County.
What is the difference between a mesothelioma lawsuit and an asbestos trust fund claim?
A mesothelioma lawsuit is filed in court against companies that are still solvent and operating, seeking compensation through settlement or jury verdict. Asbestos trust fund claims are filed against bankruptcy trusts established by companies that went bankrupt due to asbestos liabilities. Over $30 billion remains available in these trusts. Most mesothelioma patients can pursue both lawsuits and trust fund claims simultaneously, maximizing total compensation.
Do you handle Navy veteran mesothelioma cases in Los Angeles?
Yes. Navy veterans represent a significant portion of our mesothelioma practice. Veterans who served on ships, at naval shipyards like Long Beach Naval Shipyard, or at other military installations were heavily exposed to asbestos. We help veterans pursue VA disability benefits, asbestos trust fund claims, and civil lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos products used by the military.
What is California CCP Section 36 trial preference for mesothelioma?
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 36 allows mesothelioma patients to request an expedited trial date, typically within 120 days of the preference motion being granted. Because mesothelioma is a terminal illness with a median survival of 12-21 months, courts routinely grant trial preference to ensure patients can testify and participate in their own cases.
Can family members file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles?
Yes. Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, surviving spouses, children, and certain dependents can file a wrongful death lawsuit when a loved one dies from mesothelioma. Additionally, a survival action can be maintained on behalf of the deceased person's estate. Wrongful death damages include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pain and suffering.
What types of compensation are available in a mesothelioma case?
Mesothelioma compensation in Los Angeles includes medical expenses (past and future treatment costs), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and in cases involving egregious corporate misconduct, punitive damages. Additional compensation may be available through asbestos trust funds, VA benefits for veterans, and workers' compensation.
Where were people exposed to asbestos in Los Angeles?
Major asbestos exposure sites in Los Angeles include the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Todd Pacific Shipyard, Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in San Pedro, aerospace manufacturing facilities (Lockheed Burbank, Northrop El Segundo, Boeing Long Beach), oil refineries and oil fields (Chevron El Segundo, Marathon Carson, Phillips 66 Wilmington, and the Signal Hill and Wilmington oil fields), the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — where longshoremen handled raw asbestos cargo and asbestos-insulated ship machinery for decades — power plants (LADWP Valley, Harbor, Haynes, and Scattergood generating stations), construction sites with pre-1980 buildings throughout Downtown LA, and numerous schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings.
How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take in Los Angeles?
With California CCP Section 36 trial preference, a mesothelioma lawsuit in Los Angeles can reach trial within 120-180 days of filing. Many cases settle before trial, sometimes within 6-12 months. Trust fund claims can be resolved in 3-6 months. The timeline depends on the number of defendants, the complexity of the exposure history, and whether the case proceeds to trial or settles.
What should I do if I was just diagnosed with mesothelioma in Los Angeles?
If you were just diagnosed with mesothelioma: (1) Seek treatment at a specialized mesothelioma center such as UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, City of Hope, or Keck Medicine of USC; (2) Contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer immediately to protect your legal rights; (3) Begin documenting your work history and potential asbestos exposure sites; (4) Preserve any employment records, pay stubs, union cards, or photos from workplaces where you may have been exposed to asbestos. Call (818) 514-7680 for a free consultation.

Contact Trembach Law Firm

Trembach Law Firm, APC

27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301

Phone: (818) 514-7680

Schedule a Free Consultation | View All Practice Areas | Attorney Profile