San Francisco Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our award-winning San Francisco mesothelioma lawyers are here to guide you through this difficult time. We offer compassionate support and dedicated legal expertise to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Legally Reviewed By: Darron E. Berquist
Managing Attorney | Asbestos Litigation
- Page Last Updated:
- May 14, 2025
Legally Reviewed By: Darron Berquist
Managing Attorney | Asbestos Litigation
- Page Last Updated:
- May 14, 2025
Why Choose Our San Francisco Mesothelioma Lawyers?
Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred in San Francisco & the Bay Area
Occupations at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Options for Asbestos and Mesothelioma Compensation in San Francisco
Asbestos Laws and Regulations in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s shipyards, bustling ports, and dense urban development have made it a hotspot for asbestos exposure over the past century. From 1999 to 2020, 499 San Francisco residents lost their lives to mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. More recently, 132 deaths were reported between 2018 and 2023, underscoring the ongoing public health impact of asbestos in the region.
The risk of exposure has been especially high among workers in construction, maritime trade, shipbuilding, and industrial manufacturing. Areas such as Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, the Mission District, Bayview-Hunters Point, and parts of South of Market, or SoMa, have been linked to high levels of asbestos use and contamination.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an experienced and compassionate San Francisco mesothelioma lawyer at The Lanier Law Firm can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our San Francisco Mesothelioma Lawyers?
The Lanier Law Firm is a nationally recognized leader in mesothelioma litigation, with a track record of securing justice for asbestos victims and their families across the country. Our award-winning San Francisco mesothelioma attorneys are known for delivering relentless advocacy, compassionate client support, and strategic legal representation tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.
Since 1990, the Lanier Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for mesothelioma clients in California and nationwide. Unlike firms that prioritize quick settlements, our dedicated legal team is fully prepared to take your case to trial when necessary, and we have the resources and courtroom talent to win.
Choosing the right San Francisco mesothelioma lawyer can make a life-changing difference. At The Lanier Law Firm, you’re not just a case number—you’re a person who deserves high-quality, personalized legal care from professionals committed to your long-term well-being.
Mesothelioma Settlements in San Francisco, California
Our notable mesothelioma settlements and verdicts include the following:
- $2,600,000 for a career automotive and Navy mechanic exposed to asbestos
- $3,500,000 for a plant worker exposed to asbestos cement pipe
- $2,300,000 for a naval shipyard electrician exposed to asbestos
- $4600,000 for a pipe installer exposed to asbestos in water and sewer systems
Client Testimonials
Every mesothelioma case we handle is personal to us. With a proven track record of success nationwide, our dedicated team has the experience and resources to fight for you after a mesothelioma diagnosis. But don’t just take our word for it—hear from our clients.
Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred in San Francisco & the Bay Area
Sites and employers known to have exposed workers to asbestos in the Bay Area include the following:
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
- San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard
- Naval Air Station Alameda
- CertainTeed
- Standard Oil Company/Chevron Corporation
- Gulf Oil
- Unocal
- Shell Oil Company
- Dow Chemical
- Shell Oil Company/The Dexter Corporation
- US Pipe & Foundry
These are just a few of the known asbestos exposure sites in San Francisco. However, asbestos was used extensively across California, and many additional exposure sites exist throughout the state. To learn more, visit our California mesothelioma lawyer page for statewide information and legal support.
Occupations at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Many workers in San Francisco faced long-term occupational exposure to asbestos without ever being warned of the risks. Prolonged contact placed these individuals at heightened risk for developing mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related diseases.
Shipyard workers, including electricians, pipefitters, welders, insulators, and machinists, routinely worked with or around asbestos-laden insulation, gaskets, and ship components. Major shipyards known as exposure sites in the San Francisco area include:
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard
- Bethlehem Steel Shipyard
Boilermakers often handled asbestos insulation in high-head environments, especially while repairing or replacing boilers and steam systems aboard ships or in industrial plants. Known asbestos sites where boilermakers were likely exposed include:
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
- Bethlehem Steel Shipyard
Asbestos was widely used to insulate water, gas, and steam pipes, making exposure common for pipefitters and plumbers. Workers were frequently exposed while cutting, fitting, or repairing pipe systems. High-risk job sites include:
- Naval shipyards throughout the Bay Area
Refinery and chemical plant environments used asbestos extensively in machinery insulation and fireproofing materials. Workers exposed to extreme heat, such as engineers and maintenance crews, were especially at risk. Exposure sites include:
- Shell Oil Company
- Chevron Refinery
Foundries and metal-processing facilities regularly use asbestos in molds, protective clothing, and the insulation of high-temperature machinery. Workers handling molten metals faced daily exposure. Potential exposure sites in and around San Francisco include:
- Various industrial facilities throughout Bayview-Hunters Point and South of Market, or SoMa
Learn More About
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
- Are you eligible?
- What is the average settlement?
- How long will it take?
Why Should You Trust the Lanier Law Firm to Handle your Mesothelioma Case?
Options for Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Compensation in San Francisco
A personal injury lawsuit is often the most effective way to pursue compensation for mesothelioma. Those sickened with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases can sue the parties responsible for their asbestos exposure. If a loved one has died from mesothelioma, the surviving family members may also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. While most cases are resolved through settlements, our award-winning team is prepared to take your case to trial when necessary to maximize your compensation.
Many companies that exposed workers and consumers to asbestos filed for bankruptcy to shield themselves from mounting liability. The courts ordered them to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate victims. Trust fund claims typically are resolved faster than lawsuits and can be filed even if the company responsible is no longer in business.
Several companies with a presence in San Francisco or elsewhere in California have established asbestos trusts, including:
- United States Gypsum (USG)
- Western Asbestos Company
- Plant Insulation Company
- Owens Corning / Fibreboard
- Johns-Manville
- Babcock & Wilcox
- Combustion Engineering
- Halliburton (DII Industries)
Workers exposed to asbestos on the job in San Francisco may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits through California’s system. These claims typically offer limited compensation but may be pursued alongside other legal options. Workers’ compensation may be available to employees in construction, shipbuilding, plumbing, and other at-risk trades.
If you or your loved one served in the U.S. military, such as Navy personnel who worked at shipyards like Hunters Point Naval Shipyard or Mare Island, you may be eligible for VA benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA rates Mesothelioma as a 100 percent disabling condition, allowing qualified veterans to receive health care coverage and over $3,800 per month in compensation.
Asbestos Laws and Regulations in San Francisco, CA
California law imposes a strict one-year statute of limitations for filing mesothelioma-related lawsuits. Therefore, individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness must file a personal injury lawsuit within one year of the date they first became disabled due to the disease. In wrongful death cases, the surviving family must file their lawsuit within one year of the date of death, or one year from the date they reasonably should have known that the death resulted from asbestos exposure.
A mesothelioma lawsuit can pursue a range of damages, including:
- Economic damages, including medical expenses and lost wages
- Non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Punitive damages, which may be awarded in cases involving especially reckless corporate misconduct
Spouses of mesothelioma victims may also pursue a separate legal claim known as loss of consortium. Under California law, such a claim allows a spouse to recover damages for the physical, emotional, and psychological suffering they endure due to the harm done to their relationship. Under Lantis v. Condon 95 Cal. App. 3d 152 (1979), this claim is typically joined with the injured person’s lawsuit and handled as part of the same case.
If a loved one has died from an asbestos-related illness, family members may file a wrongful death claim or continue any legal claim already filed by the deceased through a survival action. Such a claim allows surviving family members to carry forward the mesothelioma victim’s legal rights and seek justice on their behalf.
The narrow timeframe and complexity of California asbestos litigation make it critical to act quickly. Our dedicated San Francisco mesothelioma lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm are here to guide you through every legal option available and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Areas Of San Francisco That We Serve
San Francisco Neighborhoods and Districts
- Downtown and Civic Center
- Nob Hill and Russian Hill
- North Beach and Chinatown
- Mission District
- SOMA, or South of Market
- Sunset and Parkside
- Richmond District
- Marina and Pacific Heights
- Bayview and Hunters Point
Major Cities in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- San Jose
- Palo Alto
- Fremont
- Redwood City
- San Mateo
- Walnut Creek
Contact The Lanier Law Firm
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming for you and your family, but a San Francisco mesothelioma lawyer can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve with strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Contact us online to learn more about how we can help.
States We Serve
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