Asbestos Lawyer in North Carolina

Asbestos exposure is a serious public health risk in North Carolina. Thousands of residents have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, in their homes, and in their communities. Asbestos exposure can lead to a variety of health problems, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. At Ward Black Law, our experienced asbestos exposure attorneys have represented hundreds of clients in North Carolina and across the country. We are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral, deposits of which can be found in the western portions of North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountain range and in areas across the United States and Canada.

Asbestos fibers are flexible, lightweight, durable, and highly fire-resistant. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in construction and textile production for decades, beginning in the late 1800s.

Unfortunately, asbestos is also highly toxic. When people inhale or ingest asbestos fibers, those fibers can become permanently lodged within the body’s soft tissue, causing inflammation that can lead to cancer and other serious conditions.

Early Signs and Risk Factors

Because asbestos exposure has been linked to cancer, those concerned about their exposure have many questions. Knowing your risk and learning what signs and symptoms to look out for is the best first line of defense. Primary risk factors include:

• Working directly with asbestos, either as a miner or a plant worker
• Working in the various industries where asbestos was routinely used, such as plants where steam was used for manufacturing or heat
• Living near an asbestos mine
• Working on home repairs without taking proper precautions to avoid asbestos
• Sharing a household with someone who worked with asbestos regularly

Who faces the highest risk of health problems from asbestos exposure?

Experts have seen three groups of people at risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or other health problems as a result of asbestos exposure.

Highest Risk — Long-Term, Direct Exposure

Workers who were responsible for mining and/or manufacturing raw asbestos and faced chronic asbestos contact over a long period of time.

Moderate Risk — Some Occupational Exposure

Men and women in professions where asbestos-containing products were handled daily. Construction trades such as insulators, pipe fitters, mechanics, carpenters, and electricians, among others, were heavily exposed to asbestos, especially before 1980.

Some Risk — Secondhand Exposure

Spouses/family members who had contact with asbestos dust from workers’ clothing, or those who may simply be exposed environmentally in aging homes and buildings with loosened asbestos fibers.

Unfortunately, many people do not experience symptoms until many years, even decades, after exposure to asbestos. Some have early warning signs that are dismissed as other health issues. Often, an affected individual consults his or her doctor, but may not mention exposure to asbestos. This is why it is important to know your level of risk and seek help from a specialist in diagnosing asbestos disease.

Areas Where Asbestos Exposure Occurs

North Carolina is home to numerous sites that are dangerously contaminated after years of asbestos usage, including:

Asbestos exposure is widespread among those who worked as:

Common Symptoms and Warning Signs Include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Persistent dry cough
• Trouble breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fevers and/or night sweats
• Changes in the skin and nails of the hands

Symptoms will depend on which disease you have and the extent to which it has damaged your lungs.

Can I Sue for Asbestos Exposure in North Carolina?

If you have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you may have grounds to sue for compensation. Even though no amount of money can reverse the effects of asbestos exposure, fair compensation can go a long way toward relieving your financial strain and holding negligent corporations accountable.

However, keep in mind that a lawsuit is a complicated process even in simple cases – and mesothelioma cases are rarely simple. If you wish to file an asbestos exposure lawsuit in North Carolina, you likely need help from an attorney who understands how to demonstrate a causal link between corporate negligence and your current condition.

At Ward Black Law, our respected attorneys have been standing up for mesothelioma patients and other North Carolina injury victims for more than 40 years. We are prepared to use our extensive knowledge and resources to help you demand compensation from the organizations that jeopardize your health for profit.

How Long Does an Asbestos Claim Take?

Depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of each party to settle, an asbestos claim can take as little as a few months or as long as several years. Typically, the key steps involved in filing an asbestos exposure claim include:

• An initial consultation with a mesothelioma lawyer to determine whether you have a valid claim
• The preparation of your claim, which includes gathering evidence such as your medical history and employment records
• The filing of a formal complaint against the liable party, either in civil court or with an asbestos trust established to pay out such claims
• The discovery phase, which allows both sides to present their cases and review the other side’s evidence
• Settlement negotiations, which is the last stage in most personal injury cases
• The trial phase, which may be necessary if a reasonable settlement is impossible
• The appeal phase, which can occur if the court reaches a verdict and either party decides to challenge the outcome.

How to Prove You or a Loved One Were Exposed

To prove you or someone close to you developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure for which another party is at fault, an attorney will use evidence such as:

• Employment records or pay stubs proving your past employment
• Affidavits confirming the presence of asbestos in the products you worked with or the job sites you worked on
• Testimony from coworkers and other witnesses who can attest to your exposure
• Internal company memos and documents demonstrating the at-fault party knew about the potential dangers of asbestos exposure
• Diagnostic records, imaging scans, and blood tests supporting your diagnosis
• Statements from physicians and other expert witnesses who can demonstrate a causal link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis.

Learn More

Download our free e-book, How Asbestos Exposure Alters Lives — And What You Can Do About It. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos at work or at home or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, digestive tract cancers, or asbestosis, email or call today to reach one of our experienced lawyers: 1-336-502-6208.