Asbestos exposure is extremely dangerous and has affected millions of lives across the nation. Even in South Carolina, you may have worked with this carcinogenic substance for years without realizing it. Many cases involve decades of exposure and serious illnesses as a result.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm employs a full team of lawyers dedicated to helping victims of exposure to asbestos. You could be eligible for compensation for years of medical bills and lost wages if you have a valid claim. Our experts will evaluate your case and determine if you need to hire a North Charleston asbestos exposure lawyer today. Our North Charleston personal injury lawyers are ready to help you take the next step in recovery.
Asbestos Was Useful But Deadly
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with fibers that efficiently insulate against extreme heat. First discovered thousands of years ago, it was put into widespread use in the late 19th century after large deposits were mined in Canada and the northern US. It was cheap and useful and became part of both products and the machinery used to produce them.
Products that used asbestos included building materials for schools, offices, and homes. It was also put into items such as brake shoes for cars, kitty litter, and even hot pads and gloves used in kitchens. Once we realized how dangerous this material was in the 1970s, efforts began to remove or stop using asbestos as much as possible. However, it still took decades for it to stop, and some products are still produced with it to this day since a suitable alternative cannot be found.
Most illnesses related to asbestos exposure have to do with the lungs since inhaling the fibers damages the lung tissues. You may have worked many hours each day surrounded by asbestos, compounding the risk of disease. You could even have brought fibers home on your clothing, putting your family members at risk.
Diseases Related to Asbestos Exposure in North Charleston
When you hire a North Charleston asbestos exposure lawyer from the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we will listen to your story of how you believe you were exposed to this deadly substance. We will ask you about specific factors surrounding your work history, such as:
- How widespread was the asbestos use in your workplace?
- How many hours a day did you work there?
- How many days a week, and how many years did you work there?
- How long has it been since you worked at that site?
- Did you have lung or breathing problems before your exposure?
- Do you smoke tobacco products currently, or have you smoked them in the past?
Even if you only worked for a short time at a job around asbestos, the concentration of the mineral in the air around you could have been enough to make you sick. Additionally, you may not realize right away that you will become sick. Asbestos-related diseases can take up to 30-40 years to appear, meaning that you could have long since left the job that caused your illness.
Common conditions that result from breathing in asbestos fibers include:
- Cancer-related diseases:
- Lung cancer – Smoking tobacco can significantly increase your chance of developing malignant lung tumors after asbestos exposure.
- Mesothelioma – This rare cancer affects the membrane covering the lungs and chest cavity. It can also affect the membranes surrounding the abdominal cavity or other internal organs.
- Other cancers – Exposure can cause cancer in the larynx (voice box), stomach, colon, rectum, and ovaries.
- Non-cancer diseases:
- Asbestosis – Exclusively related to asbestos exposure, this appears as scarring in the lungs and makes breathing difficult. It is usually associated with very high levels of exposure.
- Pleural disease – This illness causes the membranes around the lungs to thicken or collect fluid. It can cause problems with breathing or simply reduce your lung function.
Mesothelioma is the most common illness people suffer after exposure. It is a very aggressive cancer that easily spreads from the lungs throughout the chest. The Mesothelioma Center reported over 600 deaths in South Carolina related to asbestos exposure over a 14-year period. Of those fatalities, 470 were caused by mesothelioma. The majority of victims worked in mining, textiles, or shipbuilding.
Potential Value of an Asbestos Exposure Claim
When you are sick and struggling to live a normal life, the thought of pursuing legal relief from a job that exposed you to asbestos can seem overwhelming. You may think it is not worth the effort or that you may not win enough compensation to really help. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we are here to educate you about how valid your claim can be.
Hiring an asbestos exposure attorney in North Charleston from our firm will open avenues for financial reimbursement you may not have considered. We can develop a complete listing of damages, both economic and non-economic, that you can pursue in a lawsuit. We evaluate everything about your work history and lifestyle to discover how you were exposed and who is at fault.
Instead of facing bills you cannot pay, we can help you obtain restitution owed to you for expenses such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost income if you are disabled
- Prescription medications
- Travel costs for doctor visits
- In-home care or nursing facility bills
- Physical therapy expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of care and guidance for your children
- Funeral costs
While most personal injury cases in South Carolina must be filed within three years of the date of the injury, asbestos exposure lawsuits are different. The state allows three years from the date you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease. In circumstances where you have lost a loved one who was exposed, you can also file a wrongful death lawsuit within three years of the date of their death from the asbestos-related illness.
Speak with an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer in North Charleston Today
Debilitating diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis can severely affect your life and ability to provide for your family. While you are tending to your medical care for these illnesses, it is critical that you do not neglect to care for your financial needs. Pursuing justice from companies or manufacturers who exposed you to a deadly substance is fair and appropriate.
Do not wait to begin learning about your options for compensation. A North Charleston asbestos exposure attorney at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm is ready to speak with you and guide you through the complex legal system. We will litigate tirelessly on your behalf so you can recover fully from the harm done to you.
Schedule a no-risk, no-cost consultation using our convenient online form today.
