South and North Carolina Electricians Asbestos Exposure

If you or your loved one is an electrician suffering from what could be an asbestos-related condition such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more.

Electricians in North and South Carolina have a high risk of asbestos exposure on the job. Asbestos can be found in many construction materials and electrical products that electricians regularly work with or encounter on the job. Exposure to the cancer-causing substance can cause severe and fatal illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Ward Black Law has over 30 years of experience helping asbestos victims seek financial justice. Our electrician asbestos exposure lawyers are ready to fight for your rights.

Contact us today for a free case review that is entirely confidential and comes without further obligations on your part.

How Were Electricians Exposed to Asbestos?

Because of its heat resistance and flame-retardant properties, many products contained asbestos, including those used in electrical systems. Workplace asbestos exposure can happen to electricians in many ways. One of the most common is by contact with building materials containing asbestos or asbestos dust from demolishing older buildings.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos materials are commonly found in:

• Asbestos-containing insulation
• Vinyl flooring
• Roofing shingles
• Siding
• Hot water and steam pipe coatings
• Textured paint
• Wall patching compounds
• Fire-retardant millboard and cement sheeting
• Oil and coal furnaces
• Electrical wiring
• Felted asbestos insulation
• Asbestos cement
• Asbestos paper

Because asbestos resists heat, it can be found in products many electricians use or come in contact with while working on construction sites, power plants, factories, and other work sites. Examples of typical asbestos products electricians encounter include:

• Electrical paper
• Generators
• Electrical sheeting
• Cable wraps
• Heat-resistant fabrics
• Electrical panels
• Wire insulation
• Circuit breakers
• Hot water tanks

Major manufacturers are responsible for many of these asbestos-containing products, including General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, New England Insulation, Kelly-Moore Paints, and Union Carbide. If you are an electrician who developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another illness caused by asbestos exposure, these companies or other responsible parties may owe you compensation.

Potential Asbestos-Related Diseases for NC and SC Electricians

Asbestos exposure can cause severe and fatal health conditions for electricians in North Carolina and South Carolina. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all forms of asbestos cause cancer in humans. Conditions linked to asbestos exposure in electricians include:

• Mesothelioma – The Mayo Clinic reports that asbestos exposure is the leading risk factor for mesothelioma. An aggressive and deadly cancer, mesothelioma most commonly affects the tissue surrounding the lungs but can also occur in the tissue surrounding the abdomen.
• Lung cancer – Asbestos-exposed electricians can inhale asbestos fibers that increase the risk of lung cancer.
• Laryngeal cancer – This type of cancer affects the larynx or “voice box.” It can result from asbestos fiber inhalation.
• Asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs) – Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis. The condition causes lung tissue scarring and difficulty breathing.
• Pleural plaques (thickening in the tissue lining the lungs) – Pleural plaques are scarring from asbestos exposure and can be seen in exposed individuals with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer.

Asbestos-related diseases can be debilitating and life-altering. Those affected may face ongoing and invasive medical treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Early detection can help. If you are an NC or SC electrician who may have suffered asbestos exposure, see a doctor if you experience:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Painful coughing
• Lumps on your chest
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Unexplained weight loss

Legal Options for Electricians Exposed to Asbestos

You have rights if you suffer from mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another illness caused by occupational exposure to asbestos-containing materials. Depending on the cause and circumstances of the exposure, electricians may be able to seek compensation through one or more of the following options:

• Personal injury lawsuit – If solvent or operating corporations are liable for mesothelioma or lung cancer in electricians or another asbestos-related disease, our personal injury lawyers can help pursue settlements or verdicts against them.
• Asbestos bankruptcy trust funds – These are funds established by bankrupt corporations to compensate victims harmed by asbestos-containing materials. You may be entitled to money from these funds if your illness resulted from exposure while you worked for one of these corporations or by the company’s asbestos products.
• Workers’ compensation – North Carolina and other states require that most employers carry workers’ compensation insurance. You may be able to pursue medical and wage-replacement benefits for work-related asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. If your loved one died from an asbestos-related condition, you may qualify for death benefits.

Seeking Compensation If You Have Been Exposed to Asbestos

You can pursue multiple asbestos exposure claims in North Carolina. Our legal team can help you explore every available avenue for compensation. We want to help you seek the money you need for your medical care and related expenses.

In general, compensation may include money for:

• Current and future medical treatment
• Lost wages and employment benefits
• Lost future earnings and reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Lost quality of life

Why Should Electricians Hire Our Asbestos Attorneys?

Because asbestos-related claims are complex, Ward Black Law is one of only a few firms in North Carolina that handle them. We have managed successfully settled more than 1,000 cases for men and women exposed to asbestos. We understand the options available to victims and how to seek maximum compensation via multiple avenues.

We know those who come to us for help are hurt, tired, and seeking justice. We want to do everything in our power to help. We can fight for you so that you can focus on your health and family. We can:

• Do the work – We have the resources and experience to build solid claims. We can obtain medical records, access medical and scientific research, obtain expert testimony, and secure other evidence regarding your exposure proving your right to compensation. We will also handle all case-related paperwork and red tape.
• Be your voice – We will field all case-related communications. We will stand up for your best interests, protect you from bad-faith tactics, and aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation possible.
• Support you through every step – We care about helping you heal, recover, and move forward. Our team is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you locate needed resources.