We are California mesothelioma attorneys with years of success recovering millions for San Diego mesothelioma patients and their families. Because San Diego has been such a hub of activity for the United States Navy, many people who were exposed to asbestos at San Diego ship repair facilities and Naval bases have been afflicted with mesothelioma.
Our attorneys have been representing mesothelioma patients for 25 years.
We have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for our clients in asbestos lawsuits.
San Diego sites where our clients have worked include the 32nd Street Naval Base, North Island Naval Air Station, Campbell Industries Shipyard, San Diego Marine Shipyard, Triple A Shipyard, National Steel Shipyard, San Diego County Courthouse, the San Diego County Jail, San Diego Juvenile Courthouse Complex, San Diego County Mental Health Center, University of San Diego Hospital, San Diego Health Services Complex, among many others. We have a vast library of information about these and many other San Diego sites, that includes information about the types and brands of asbestos products used at each location.
We represent mesothelioma patients and their families. Mesothelioma is a very serious form of cancer, and families who have been touched by mesothelioma have many challenges ahead. Whatever treatment options a mesothelioma patient chooses, treatment is expensive. A mesothelioma diagnosis can often mean financial hardship without some kind of legal assistance. Our experienced asbestos attorneys can help provide fast compensation to San Diego area families impacted by mesothelioma. The financial resources we make available allow our clients to focus on fighting mesothelioma, beating the odds, and enjoying time with their loved ones.
Every mesothelioma patient’s exposure to asbestos is different. Some, such as insulators, shipyard workers, or boilermakers, had jobs that obviously involved working with asbestos. However, many mesothelioma victims we have represented have not known how or when they were exposed to asbestos until our lawyers completed an extensive asbestos exposure investigation.
By getting to know each client as an individual, and by learning each client’s personal story of asbestos exposure, we can show which asbestos companies were responsible for causing the mesothelioma. As lawyers for people with mesothelioma we hold the asbestos industry accountable for the damage their asbestos products have done. Many people with mesothelioma who first contact us mistakenly believe the asbestos companies did not know their asbestos products caused cancer until the 1970's or 1980's.
This is unfortunately not true. Documents our lawyers have obtained in litigation show that manufacturers of asbestos products knew the workers in their own factories were getting asbestos related lung cancer and mesothelioma from asbestos as early as the 1930's and 1940's, yet they hid this knowledge. It is a modern tragedy that most cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers could and should have been prevented. While we cannot undo the harm that asbestos has caused, our mission as mesothelioma attorneys is to hold the wrongdoers accountable, and to recover the maximum compensation possible for our mesothelioma clients.
Our lawyers represent not only people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, but also spouses, sons and daughters of people who have died from mesothelioma. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, please contact us as soon as possible. One of our lawyers will fly to your home within a few days. In most cases, you will not have to travel or even appear in court. Our lawyers will investigate your case, meet with you and take video depositions. You will not have to pay any attorneys’ fees unless we obtain a financial settlement for you. Call our toll-free number or fill out the contact form on this page to consult with an experienced asbestos lawyer at no cost about financial assistance available to mesothelioma patients.
Mesothelioma Attorneys serving clients in San Diego California
Mesothelioma Lawyers
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is often overwhelming for the patient and their family. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit shouldn't add to that.
Are you looking for a mesothelioma lawyer to handle your mesothelioma or asbestos-related cancer claim?
I would like to speak with an attorney about a possible case
Please contact us, and we'll be happy to speak with you, with no obligation, about your case.
Mesothelioma Lawyers
David P. Chervenick
Lane A. Clack
Lee W. Davis
Holly L. Deihl
Kenneth J. Fryncko, Jr.
Carrie L. Furlan
James J. Bedortha
Cori J. Kapusta
Jason E. Luckasevic
Bruce E. Mattock
Mark C. Meyer
Terrence M. O'Brien
Leif J. Ocheltree
Peter T. Paladino Jr.
Joel Persky
Christine Lynne Salon
John T. Tierney III
Craig L. Vandergrift
Thomas W. White
Goldberg, Persky, & White have the:
legal knowledge and experience,
proven track record,
attentive staff, and
aggressive attorneys
to help defend your legal rights.
Why you should trust a GPW mesothelioma lawyer with your case
GPW's mesothelioma lawyers have been involved in asbestos lawsuits since 1978. As one of the pioneers in asbestos litigation, we have an intricate and thorough knowledge of the ever-growing body of evidence and and changing legal guidelines. It is a knowledge built up over the last quarter century and constantly being added to by our attorneys and dedicated staff.
Having represented many individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, as well as other asbestos-related diseases, GPW is uniquely qualified to prepare, try, and defend your case, providing you and your family with piece of mind and always treating you with compassion.
Our mesothelioma lawyers will focus on defending of your rights and ensuring you recieve just compensation, so that you can focus on your health and family. Just as you seek mesothelioma specialists to coordinate your treatment, finding a qualified attorney experienced in mesothelioma cases is equally important.
I have an asbestos disease and want to file a lawsuit, what should I do?
You need to contact a lawyer as soon as possible because every state has a statute of limitations... [read our Mesothelioma Lawsuit FAQs] Please let us know if you have any questions, whether about our qualifications or otherwise, and we'll be happy to answer them.
If you or someone you know has an asbestos-related disease, you owe it to yourself to make sure that your rights are protected. Your rights vary depending on many factors such as your residence, where you were exposed to asbestos, and the location of the responsible asbestos companies. Each state has its own laws and governs the law differently. Each state also has its own deadlines for allowing victims of asbestos disease to file lawsuits, called statutes of limitation and statutes of repose.
Malignant Mesothelioma, California Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The disease might have been preventable had the asbestos industry acted responsibly decades ago to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos. Unfortunately for the estimated 3,000 Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, the asbestos industry hid the dangers of asbestos from the public for decades after it knew of the risks.
In these pages you will learn about the asbestos tragedy in the United States and how it has affected the lives and health of countless American workers and their families. You will also read about how people are exposed to asbestos, including the types of work sites where asbestos was once common and the trades that worked with and around asbestos-containing products. And you will learn how Baron & Budd was one of the first law firms in the country to fight for the rights of asbestos victims and is still widely recognized as a national leader in asbestos litigation to this day.
For nearly three decades, in courtrooms across the country, Baron & Budd has championed the rights of mesothelioma victims. Here are just a few examples of some of the results we have achieved for our mesothelioma clients:
The cases described here reflect the net amounts of the judgments or settlements our clients received after the deduction of attorneys fees and expenses-in other words, what our clients actually received. The actual settlement or verdict would be higher. These cases were all handled by Baron & Budd attorneys serving as lead counsel.
Specific Results Depend on the Facts of Each Case.
$10,603,661.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses for a gentleman who developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to joint compound as a construction worker. This case went to trial and resulted in a significant verdict in favor of the gentleman, his wife and children that was listed by a national legal publication as one of the top verdicts in the U.S. that year. The case subsequently settled.
$6,356,942.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for the widow of a man who died at the age of 50 after developing asbestos-related mesothelioma. He was exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy aboard nuclear submarines during the 1960s. This case went to trial against the manufacturer of an asbestos-containing pipe covering product. The jury awarded a significant verdict, which was affirmed on appeal.
$4,380,755.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for an ironworker who worked at a number of industrial sites throughout his career and who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 79.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not occur for 30 to 50 years after an individual is exposed to asbestos. Unfortunately, the early symptoms of mesothelioma are often non-specific and can sometimes be confused with other illnesses such as pneumonia. Part of the reason that Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed is that many of the symptoms are similar to pneumonia, including shortness of breath, persistent cough and chest pain. These similarities can sometimes lead to a delay in a mesothelioma diagnosis. Making matters more difficult is the fact that some patients show no symptoms of their mesothelioma.
When symptoms of mesothelioma do appear, they often manifest themselves as shortness of breath and chest pains. The exact symptoms will often depend on which area the mesothelioma is affecting. For instance, some symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss, abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, anemia and fever.
ONLY A DOCTOR CAN PROPERLY DISGNOSE MESOTHELIOMA
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
Who needs to be examined for Asbestosis or Mesothelioma?
Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos (or suspect they have been exposed) dust on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms. Asbestos fibers can be measured in urine, feces, mucus, or material rinsed out of the lungs. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended.
It is important to note that chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, but they can help identify any lung changes resulting from asbestos exposure. Interpretation of the chest x-ray may require the help of a specialist who is experienced in reading x-rays for asbestos-related diseases. Other tests also may be necessary.
As noted earlier, the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure. If any of the following symptoms develop, a physical examination should be scheduled without delay:
Shortness of breath;
A cough or a change in cough pattern;
Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs;
Pain in the chest or abdomen;
Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness; and/or
Significant weight loss.
Mesothelioma Alerts
FDA Safety Changes: Pemetrexed Injection (Alimta)
By Yael Waknine, November 3, 2006
November 3, 2006 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved drug safety labeling revisions to advise of the potential for dose-limiting myelosuppression in patients receiving treatment with pemetrexed injection.
Pemetrexed Injection (Alimta) Linked to Dose-Limiting Myelosuppression
On July 28, the FDA approved safety labeling revisions for pemetrexed injection (Alimta, made by Eli Lilly and Company) to warn of the risk for myelosuppression associated with its use. Bone marrow suppression is usually the dose-limiting toxicity, as manifested by neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia (or pancytopenia).
The FDA advises that dose reductions for subsequent cycles be based on nadir absolute neutrophil count, platelet count, and maximum nonhematologic toxicity observed during the previous cycle.
Pemetrexed injection is indicated for use with cisplatin in the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery; it is also indicated as a single agent for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer after prior chemotherapy.
Mesothelioma Treatments
While there is currently no known cure for malignant mesothelioma, treatments are available with the most common being surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Your doctor will recommend one treatment or a combination of therapies that are best for your situation. The course of treatment will depend on a number of factors including the location of the disease, the stage of the disease, your age, overall health and your preferences.
The information provided throughout this website is for your information only, and should NOT take the place of a full medical diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Treatment Types
As in all forms of cancer treatment, there are traditional modalities for the treatment of mesothelioma, as well as experimental, non-traditional options.
Traditional Mesothelioma Treatment Options
» Surgery (physical removal of the cancer)
» Chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer)
» Radiation Therapy (using high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells)
Doctors will often use two or more of these treatment courses jointly to provide the maximum likelihood of success. This multi-modal approach holds the most promise for survival of malignant mesothelioma patients. Trimodality therapy, in which all three of these modalities are used, is considered the most effective, and aggressive, approach.
Non-Traditional Mesothelioma Treatment Options
» Photodynamic Therapy
» Gene Therapy
» Immunotherapy
The following pages provide information on all of these treatment options.
mesothelioma clinic
What is the UAB Mesothelioma Clinic?
The UAB Mesothelioma Clinic is a component of the UAB
Comprehensive Cancer Center, which provides complete care for
mesothelioma patients, including diagnosis, treatment and
supportive care services. The Clinic is committed to improving the
outlook for mesothelioma patients through novel clinical trials
and the education of patients about the disease. The Mesothelioma
Clinic Director, Francisco Robert, M.D., is a Medical Oncologist
with specific expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of lung
cancer and mesothelioma.
What does the Mesothelioma
Clinic provide?
Dr. Robert has a team of Cancer Center staff with expertise in
surgery, radiation therapy, pathology, radiology, social services,
and nursing who are available to provide their special expertise
as appropriate. Dr. Robert provides the initial patient assessment
and consultation with appropriate review of pathology slides and
x-rays, confirmation of the diagnosis, selection of additional
studies if needed and recommendations for treatment and supportive
care. Depending on the extent of disease and the patient's general
health, treatments may include surgery, radiation and/or
chemotherapy. It is important that patients consider participating
in a clinical trial, which may make additional treatments
available. Supportive care may be an important component in the
management of mesothelioma patients.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer in which cells of the
mesothelium (the membrane that covers and protects most of the
internal organs) become abnormal, form tumors and grow without
control or order. The disease usually affects the surface of the
lung or less
commonly the lining of the abdomen. The disease is relatively
uncommon, with 2,500 to 3,000 new cases diagnosed in the United
States each year.
Are new treatments for
mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. During the past five years researchers have gained many new
insights about mesothelioma. One promising drug is Alimta
(Pemetrexed), an experimental drug that has shown promise in
treating advanced mesothelioma. Because mesothelioa is difficult
to control, many new treatment strategies are being studied. UAB
Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists are examining several
different approaches in the laboratory, including: -Developing new
drugs that slow the growth and spread of mesothelioma cells. -
Creating a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to attack
mesothelioma tumors. -Exploring gene therapy strategies for
treatment. After further study, these approaches will be developed
into clinical trails to investigate whether the treatment is safe
and effective for patients. The UAB Mesothelioma Clinic and the
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center currently have clinical trials for
the treatment of mesothelioma. It is important that Cancer Center
doctors see patients soon after diagnosis to enable them to
develop the best treatment plan.
Are there specific risk factors for
developing mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.
Approximately 80% of mesothelioma is associated with asbestos
exposure - specifically occupational asbestos exposure. However,
the disease has been reported in some individuals without any
known exposure to asbestos.