San Diego is the second-largest city in California, with a population of 1.3 million. It was founded in 1769 as the Presidio and Mission of San Diego. San Diego has long been active in military affairs, especially the US Navy.
In the 1920s, San Diego became active in aeronautical engineering. Companies including Ryan Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft got started during this time. WWII brought more defense and air manufacturers in the area and with it a great deal of asbestos-containing products.
San Diego has a diverse history of manufacturing and construction and is known well for industries that use asbestos. This makes asbestos exposure in San Diego a serious concern.
High-Industries for Asbestos Exposure in San Diego and Across California
Asbestos occurs naturally all over California, including San Diego, so there are always risks of exposure. The deadly mineral also has been used in many important industries in San Diego and California generally.
Shipyards
California has the third-longest coastline in the United States. The state is home to 20 shipyards where asbestos was often used for insulation in ship repair and construction. One of them is the Diego Naval Base which is the major port for the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet.
This naval base and shipyard were upgraded in 1999, instead of moving to another port along the California coast. Unfortunately, many of the existing structures at the naval base and shipyard contained asbestos. It was found in 2006 that the shipyard had tons of asbestos still there in 2009 and 2010. There have been several clean up efforts but workers and family members still risk developing mesothelioma by working at or living near the site. (mesothelioma.com)
The base is still in full operation today and the cleanup efforts are ongoing.
Oil Industry
The California Energy Commission reports there are at least 30 offshore oil platforms, 20 oil refineries, and 50 refined oil product terminals in California and in San Diego. Many of these job sites have been open since the 1950s or earlier, and asbestos was used heavily throughout oil drilling and delivery.
Power Plants
California has many power plants, with some located in San Diego. Most are fueled by natural gas today, but there also are nuclear, hydroelectric and coal plants. Power plants such as the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station used asbestos insulation to protect from electricity and heat caused by large-scale power production.
Mining
There are several hundred asbestos deposits in the State, some of which are near San Diego. Some of them, such as the John D. Hoff Mine and the Atlas Asbestos Company, were open for decades. Also, asbestos has been located in mines used to obtain coal, talc, gold, and copper.
San Diego Asbestos Lawsuits
There has been substantial controversy in recent years about San Diego workers being exposed to asbestos. In fact, a lawsuit was filed in 2019 that accused San Diego of purposely exposing workers to asbestos and then concealing the exposure. (Sandiegotribune.com)
The mesothelioma lawsuit settlement claims that city officials over several months ignored complaints who claimed that renovations to a downtown highrise were making them ill. Those employees are now suing the city, looking to gain class-action status to represent at least 500 workers who worked in the building that contains asbestos.
The lawsuit states that a high-ranking city official said the city knew about the workers’ complaints and weighed the value of moving employees out of the building against the cost of breaking a commercial lease. The city decided the lawsuit claims, that the health and safety of employees were not worth the cost of breaking a lease.
The San Diego asbestos lawsuit is seeking punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, lifetime medical insurance, and regular health monitoring to determine if any employee got cancer from asbestos exposure.
The complaints about possible asbestos exposure in San Diego go back to 2017 when renovations started at the downtown skyscraper known as the Executive Complex across from City Hall. The 25-story building is privately owned but there is leased space by the city for 550 employees.
The lawsuit states almost immediately after renovations started, several employees notified the company managing the building that air quality was poor and there were high levels of dust in the workplace.
The complaint also said the city moved some workers into another building at the Naval Training Center in Liberty Station that also has asbestos problems.
The lawsuit is ongoing as of early 2020.
Asbestos Exposure at San Diego Jobsites
If you or a loved one worked at any of these facilities in San Diego, you could have been exposed to asbestos, which can lead to mesothelioma: (Mesothelioma.com)
- American Processing Company
- Arco California
- Avonics
- Jack in the Box
- Kelco Corporation
- Kenneth Fraisier Company
- Los Alamitos Steam Plant
- Marine Corps Recruiting Depot
- Mercy Hospital
- National Steel and Shipbuilding
- San Diego Naval Pier
- San Diego Shipyard
- San Diego State University
- Scripps Health
- Sharps Hospital
- Union Hospital
- United California Bank
- US Marine Corps
- US Navy Destroyer Base
- Veteran’s Affairs Hospital
San Diego Mesothelioma Attorney Information
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, talk to one of the well-qualified San Diego attorneys below.
McClellan Law Firm
1144 State Street
San Diego CA 92101
(619) 215-1488
www.mcclellanlaw.com
The McClellan Law Firm has experienced San Diego asbestos cancer attorneys who have won more than $130 million in various personal injury settlements over the years. This law firm will get you the best mesothelioma settlement or verdict so you can focus on your health.
CaseyGerry
110 Laurel St.
San Diego CA 92101
(800) 292-5865
www.caseygerry.com
CaseyGerry is the oldest personal injury law firm in the city. This law firm has been advocating for injured workers and families since 1947. It is a top advocate in the city and state for people suffering from asbestos cancer. Their litigation team has helped thousands of people with successful mesothelioma claims. In fact, firm partner Frederick Schenck won the biggest asbestos verdict in San Diego County in 1996.
Baron & Budd P.C.
11440 West Bernardo Court #265
San Diego CA 92127
(858) 225-7200
www.baronandbudd.com
Barron & Budd has years of proven experience standing up to big corporations who exposed their workers to asbestos and ruined their health. In 2012, this law firm on a $48 million trial verdict for a former Union Carbide employee who was diagnosed from mesothelioma. It also won a $20 million settlement for an asbestos cancer victim against Kaiser Gypsum.
See All California Mesothelioma Lawyers
San Diego Mesothelioma Legal Help
With over $30 billion available for victims through the Asbestos Trust Funds, you could be entitled to financial mesothelioma victim compensations without ever filing a lawsuit. Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll free (800) 352-0871