Mesothelioma & Asbestos-Related Illnesses in North Carolina (2024)

The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has extensive professional experience representing clients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma & asbestos-related illnesses in North Carolina. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any such condition, we can assist you in determining the cause of the disease and what legal options may be available to you that could help you and your family recover compensation.

Discerning Mesothelioma & Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer that is only caused by exposure to asbestos. This disease has a very long latency period and may take decades to manifest in noticeable ways. It is also possible for asbestos exposure to cause many other adverse medical complications, including asbestosis, a chronic lung disease, various other forms of cancer, or a combination of multiple serious medical conditions.

Asbestos was commonly used throughout the United States as a construction material because of its insulating and fireproofing qualities, but the health risks of the substance were widely unknown for years. Once the health risks of asbestos became apparent, many steps were taken at the state and federal levels to safely remove asbestos from as many places as possible to limit the risk of future medical concerns.

One of the most difficult aspects of being diagnosed with mesothelioma & asbestos-related illnesses in the state is the fact that most of the medical conditions arising from asbestos exposure take a very long time to develop in noticeable ways. It is possible for someone to be exposed to asbestos and not realize they have a serious medical condition for decades following exposure.

During the long latency period that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses often have, it is possible for the disease to spread to multiple areas of the body over years before the victim realizes they are even sick. For example, mesothelioma can develop in the pleura of the lungs and spread to the peritoneum and around the heart, affecting the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs in various ways.

Claiming Compensation for Mesothelioma & Asbestos-Related Illnesses in North Carolina

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other medical condition linked to asbestos exposure, your first challenge will be determining exactly when and where you were exposed. Once you have determined the initial cause of your condition, you may then proceed with investigating your legal options. For example, you may have grounds for a personal injury suit against a product manufacturer or other party.

It is also possible to qualify for a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust. Many companies that formerly produced products made with asbestos were compelled to create these trusts to compensate those who had adverse medical outcomes because of their products, and these trusts continue to disburse settlements to claimants throughout the United States each year. If you have been diagnosed with any asbestos-related medical condition, you need to speak with an attorney.

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham, P.A., have years of professional experience representing clients in mesothelioma claims and other claims pertaining to other asbestos-related medical conditions. We understand the challenges these cases present when it comes to determining the cause of a diagnosis and helping the claimant discern their most viable legal options in this situation. The sooner you connect with our team, the sooner we can start working on your case.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Most Common Asbestos-Related Diseases?

A: The most common asbestos-related diseases include mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, asbestosis, and asbestos-related abnormalities in the pleura, which are the sacs surrounding the lungs. It’s possible for someone to be exposed to asbestos but not develop any noticeable symptoms for years or sometimes even decades. If you develop any such condition, it is vital to determine the source of your asbestos exposure.

Q: What Is the Latency Period for Mesothelioma?

A: The latency period for mesothelioma can extend from 10 to more than 50 years, with an average latency period of about 25 years. This long latency period is one of the most challenging aspects of a mesothelioma claim because the claimant will need to determine how, when, and where they were exposed before they can determine what legal options may be available to them.

Q: What Are the First Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

A: The first symptoms of mesothelioma can include a painful cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain when the disease develops in the pleura. If mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum, the initial symptoms can include abdominal pain and swelling, sudden weight loss, and nausea. These initial symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed as other conditions, unfortunately causing the disease to worsen in many cases before it is correctly identified.

Q: What Compensation Can I Recover for Asbestos-Related Illness?

A: You may be able to recover compensation for mesothelioma and asbestos-related illness in the state depending on how, where, and when you were exposed. Liability may fall to a product manufacturer, and/or former employer, or you could have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim if you were exposed to asbestos through your current job. An experienced attorney can help you determine your available legal options.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for Mesothelioma & Asbestos-Related Illness in North Carolina?

A: Hiring a lawyer is a good idea for anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses in the state. Depending on the root cause of the condition, the claimant could have multiple options available to them to help them recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. Your attorney can assist you in navigating these legal proceedings to enhance your total recovery.

The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has years of professional experience representing clients in various types of legal claims for mesothelioma & asbestos-related illness in the state. If you are unsure whether you have grounds for such a claim, it is important to remember you have a limited time in which to pursue legal recourse following diagnosis. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and we can help you determine your legal options.