Mesothelioma Lawyers in Raleigh-Durham, NC
Asbestos exposure causes two of the deadliest diseases faced by humankind. These diseases, asbestosis and mesothelioma, do not normally occur unless a person was exposed to asbestos. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, or suspect you have a disease caused by asbestos, an asbestosis lawyer can help. Our asbestos lawyers can advise you about obtaining medical treatment, and we can seek financial compensation for your medical treatment and disability.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material valued for its resistance to heat, fire, and electricity. Asbestos has been mined for thousands of years and began to be used widely in industrial countries, including the United States, in the early 1900s. Asbestos contains millions of invisible, microscopic fibers that break off and become airborne, lodging in the lungs. The particles are sharp and cause grave damage to the lungs.
Medical professionals began to discover the deadly effects of asbestos in the 1920s. Litigation began back then and it has continued ever since. Asbestos has been banned or partially banned in at least 60 countries. It is still used in the United States but its use is regulated. There is no known safe exposure limit to asbestos.
Who is likely to be exposed to asbestos?
Many workers in industrial jobs have been exposed to asbestos over decades. Asbestos was used frequently in workplaces such as construction sites, textile mills, power plants, chemical companies, railroads, and auto plants. Workers were often directly exposed to asbestos. Workers’ family members have also been exposed to asbestos by the airborne fibers. If a family member comes home with asbestos fibers on his or her clothing, the entire family can be exposed. Even bystanders can be exposed to asbestos.
What are the diseases caused by asbestos exposure?
Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer are the most common, fatal diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of these diseases include shortness of breath, hoarseness, persistent coughing, blood in the fluid coughed up, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. These diseases often do not become apparent until many years after the exposure. If you have these symptoms and you or a family member worked in an industry likely to have used asbestos, you should seek medical attention immediately and tell your doctor about your work or family history. A Mesothelioma attorney at Johnson & Groninger PLLC can help you navigate the legal system.
Mesothelioma Attorneys for victims of asbestos exposure
Our asbestos attorneys are familiar with the complicated issues that arise in asbestos lawsuits, including workers’ compensation issues and bankruptcy issues. If a workers’ compensation claim must be brought against an employer, our experienced workers’ compensation and asbestos lawyers can do that. Often these cases involve claims against the asbestos manufacturer. Many companies that exposed workers to asbestos have filed bankruptcy after the asbestos lawsuits are filed. Our asbestos lawyers can navigate the complicated claims process when companies have filed for bankruptcy.
An example of a typical asbestos case handled by our attorneys
A long-time factory worker was exposed to asbestos on the piping he worked on every day. His former employer went out of business and the insurer pointed the finger at the shipyard he had worked at 40 years before. We got his family much-needed compensation.
Please contact us if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with a disease caused by exposure to asbestos, or suspect you have an asbestos-related disease, please contact us right away. It is important to act quickly because there are legal deadlines that may prevent you from filing a lawsuit if you wait too long. Our experienced asbestos attorneys are here to help you. We can seek compensation against the companies that exposed you or your family member to asbestos and hold those companies accountable for the suffering caused by asbestos exposure.