Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
-
We represent people who have been injured or families who have lost a loved one due to exposure to toxic substances. Currently, we're focusing on asbestos victims, particularly those we have represented in the past. Certainly, those with potential new cases are welcome.
-
If you've been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you have a claim, because it is caused only by asbestos exposure. Lung cancer and Asbestosis cases are more challenging to analyze, and therefore, it is more difficult to find law firms willing to take them on. Our firm has had success in accomplishing this. Reviewing medical records and work histories is critical. If you already have a qualified doctor’s informed opinion that the injury, illness, or wrongful death is asbestos-related, the process is made far less difficult.
-
Most people can't afford to pay upfront legal fees, especially after a severe loss. A contingency fee is a percentage of your financial recovery, whether through settlement or trial. The amount is agreed upon in advance, in writing, and must be approved by you. If there's no recovery, you owe nothing.
-
You can reach us through our toll-free phone number, secure online form, or email. Please call and inform the receptionist for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma or other urgent situations. On weekends, use the secure contact form or email us. If your e-mail is urgent, please write URGENT in all caps in the title of your e-mail.
Phone: (559) 221-4945
Toll Free: (888) 867-8996
-
If you have medical records, that's a good starting point. The key is to make that initial phone call, especially for urgent cases like a Mesothelioma diagnosis. There's no charge or obligation for the consultation.
Asbestos Litigation
-
Mesothelioma is exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. For other diseases like Lung Cancer and Asbestosis, a one-on-one discussion is required.
-
If you, a spouse, or children are 70 or older or have been told by a doctor that you likely have less than six months to live, the process moves very quickly. The target is to be in trial within six months. Otherwise, it could take up to five years, although most clients receive settlements during the wait. This is if we can get your case filed in California. The answer varies depending on what state you are in when you proceed.
-
Mesothelioma is a severe form of cancer affecting the outer lining of the lungs, the inner lining of the chest, and sometimes the inner lining of the abdomen. It is caused only by asbestos exposure.
-
Yes, in most situations, if your Statute of Limitations hasn't expired. We do our best to get you into a California Superior Court. For example, our last client from Nevada only had to be in California for 2-3 days for the entire trial. His testimony was so compelling that the defendants didn't want the case to go to the jury. Though he has now passed on, his two sons are still receiving settlements from the Asbestos Settlement Trusts.
Other Toxic Substances Litigation
-
The list is extensive, including Lead in Paint, Benzene, Glyphosate in Roundup, VOCs, PAHs, Dioxins, and many others. Many of these toxins are also found in wildfire smoke. A complete list would likely fill a 500-page book; too much to list in full here.
-
Often, you won't know until someone becomes ill or a nearby source of contamination is publicized.
-
You can start with a Google search or directly contact a law firm focusing on toxic substance litigation. Firms like ours often have advanced knowledge of these matters before they become public knowledge. For example, a firm called to see if I was interested in participating in Glyphosate Roundup litigation long before this was known to the public.
Bad Faith Insurance
-
Bad faith insurance practices occur when insurers deny policyholders the insurance benefits to which they are entitled. Because of an array of deceitful tactics, many claimants walk away thinking they've been treated fairly. Public awareness about bad faith insurance practices is growing, much like the hazards of asbestos exposure in the 1970s-1980s have become well known.
-
We'll evaluate the specifics of your case to determine if legal action against the insurance company or other entities is appropriate. Factors can vary from state to state.
-
Bad faith insurance claims are fact-intensive. In one case from the mid-1980s, a jury awarded $5 million to homeowners whose house and property value combined was about $250,000. This was after their insurer wouldn't honor multiple policy limit demand letters, hoping the insured claimants would just give up.
-
Always keep written records of your interactions with insurance companies. As soon as possible, tell the Claims Adjuster you want to communicate via email, just to make sure you don’t forget something important. This is so you have a written email (Documentary evidence). Insurers have a way of saying things in recorded calls they would not put in writing. Even when you request a transcript of the call, it is quite likely the insurer will claim the call was not recorded, even though it was. The difference between insurers and casinos is you’re pretty sure you will lose your money at the tables or slot machines. On the other hand, you have placed trust in your insurer. If your claim is unfairly denied, we recommend contacting our firm or another firm, or trying United Policy Holders online. This is a very helpful national nonprofit organization. It does not give legal advice but does provide much helpful information.
Legal Fees & Terms of Representation
-
Retainer agreements detail the terms of engagement, including how fees may be divided among different firms without increasing the fees you pay.
-
No, fees are not increased if multiple attorneys or firms work on your case.
-
In California, State Bar Rule 1.5.1 governs contingency fee agreements. If fees are divided between firms, this must be disclosed to you and then approved by you in writing. Such arrangements do not increase the fee charged in the event of a financial recovery.
Past Client Identification Cards
-
Yes, if you've found an old client identification card, it’s most likely your statute of limitations hasn't expired. That you have a card alerts the firm to important facts that it would like to explain.
-
Contact our firm to review what has transpired since you or a loved one first received the card. These cards typically indicate industrial exposure to asbestos, making it a good time for a legal “check-up.”
-
No, not at all. If you or your loved one remembers having been provided one of these cards in the past, it still serves as a reminder that you need an information update. You may think your right to claim monetary damages has passed when that door may still be open.
-
Possessing an old identification card encourages us to determine if your case can be expedited, among other factors affecting your legal rights. Many of our older clients who had these cards have passed away, but there are still those in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Asbestos-related diseases can take 40 years or longer to manifest after the last industrial exposure; if you're not already represented by another firm, it's time to contact us.
Do You Have a Card Like This?
If you or a loved one have or had a Shipyard or Tire Worker card, it's more than a piece of laminated paper; it's a key to understanding your legal rights, especially amid changing statutes of limitations. Don't let an asbestos-related diagnosis catch you unprepared—your card could be a critical reminder, a piece of the puzzle for securing justice and compensation. You may still have viable rights to pursue.