Columbia Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Columbia, SC Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney

Every year, thousands of people in South Carolina and throughout the United States are diagnosed with severe medical conditions resulting from asbestos exposure. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other medical issues related to asbestos, an experienced Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer can help determine your most viable recovery options.

Legal Representation for Asbestos Exposure Claims in Columbia, SC

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham have extensive professional experience in helping clients in Columbia and surrounding communities with all types of asbestos exposure claims. Our firm represents those diagnosed with mesothelioma and other severe medical conditions caused by asbestos, and we know how to help them take full advantage of the recovery options available to them.

If you believe that you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma due to the negligence or improper actions of any other party in Columbia, our firm is ready to help hold them accountable. If you acquired an asbestos-related health condition through work, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance may provide some relief; it is also possible that you may be eligible to claim compensation through a mesothelioma injury trust.

Ultimately, if another party is directly responsible for your diagnosis, a personal injury suit can enable you to recover far more compensation than you could expect from workers’ compensation insurance or a mesothelioma injury trust. The right attorney can help build a compelling case that aims for maximum compensation, and the sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can begin building your claim.

How Do I Prove That I Was Exposed to Asbestos in Columbia, SC?

One of the most challenging aspects of any asbestos exposure claim in Columbia or elsewhere in the state is the time it usually takes for the symptoms of asbestos exposure to appear. For example, the early warning signs of mesothelioma generally do not become noticeable until decades after exposure. Before you will be able to recover any compensation for your condition, you must prove exactly when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos.

During the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, asbestos was widely used in construction projects throughout the United States due to its superior fireproofing capability. However, no one was aware at the time that this substance is incredibly hazardous due to the fact that asbestos exposure takes a very long time to generate noticeable symptoms. Once the risks of asbestos became apparent, companies across the country were required to remove asbestos from their buildings.

Unfortunately, there are still many workplaces throughout the United States that contain asbestos risks. The attorneys at Wallace & Graham have years of experience delving into property ownership records, construction reports, and various other forms of documentation that can form a paper trail showing whether asbestos has been used in a specific location and whether it was ever properly removed.

Once your Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer has helped you determine the exact cause of your condition, the next step in your recovery efforts will be to assess your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits, a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust, and/or a personal injury suit against a specific party who caused an asbestos hazard. You may have more than one option available, but you have a limited time to start your legal proceedings.

Who Is Liable for Exposure to Asbestos?

If you worked in a building that contained asbestos and the building owner knew of the risk but never took steps to address it, they would face liability for your damages in an asbestos exposure claim. Asbestos removal is very expensive due to the care and attention to detail required for the removal of asbestos materials and replacement with alternative insulation and fireproofing, and this, unfortunately, compels some property owners to skirt their responsibilities.

If you must file a claim against an asbestos product manufacturer that has gone out of business or has shifted to new operations, you may have access to a mesothelioma injury trust that the business has created. Many companies throughout the United States created these trusts once the risks of their products became known, intending to create a streamlined path for those affected to recover compensation.

Your Columbia asbestos exposure attorney can help determine the optimal path to recovery after you have discovered medical issues caused by asbestos exposure. Ultimately, every client in an asbestos exposure injury claim will face different challenges as they seek compensation for the damages they suffered, and it’s possible to have more than one option available that could help you recover. Our team can help you fully explore all your options for legal recourse.

Understanding a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of lung cancer that is only caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos particles are very small, sharp, and light, and they can linger in the air of an indoor space for days at a time. If these particles are inhaled, they embed in the lungs and eventually cause mesothelioma to form.

This cancer is incurable, and one of the most frustrating aspects of a mesothelioma diagnosis is the fact that the condition typically does not show any noticeable symptoms until it has already reached a critical point. By this time, the victim may only have several months to a few years left to live. The average life expectancy after diagnosis with mesothelioma is only 18 months.

If you have received a diagnosis of a terminal illness, it can understandably cause a great deal of psychological suffering for everyone involved. While it is possible to manage the symptoms of mesothelioma and increase the victim’s comfort during their remaining time, it can feel hopeless to learn that this condition is terminal and incurable. If another party is responsible for the diagnosis, it is vital to find a lawyer who can help you ensure accountability.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Mesothelioma in Columbia, SC

Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Columbia develop this disease from exposure to asbestos in their workplaces. It’s possible that you were exposed many years ago while working for a former employer in a building that contained asbestos. If you were exposed during your current employment, a workers’ compensation claim could provide some valuable benefits after your diagnosis.

Under South Carolina law, almost every employer in the state is required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance prevents an employer from facing civil liability for an injured employee’s damages, and it provides financial compensation to the injured employee that can help them recover. If your employer has appropriate coverage and you discover an illness caused by your workplace, you have the right to file a claim for benefits.

Most workers’ compensation claims will yield full medical expense coverage for the claimant along with limited compensation for the income they are unable to earn due to their work-related illness or injury. Your attorney can assist you with the claim filing process and resolve any issues you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance carrier.

Mesothelioma Injury Trusts

If you contracted mesothelioma or any other medical condition from asbestos exposure while working for a former employer, filing a workers’ compensation claim may no longer be an option. However, it is possible that the former employer is one of many businesses that were required to form mesothelioma injury trusts. If so, you can file a claim to secure compensation.

These trusts still contain billions in unclaimed benefits for victims of asbestos exposure all over the country. The claim process is relatively straightforward, but it is still advisable to work with an experienced Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer to navigate the claim filing process as efficiently as possible. On average, claimants typically receive about $300,000 to $400,000 through these mesothelioma injury trusts.

Building a Personal Injury Claim for Mesothelioma in Columbia, SC

You may only have limited recovery options through workers’ compensation insurance and/or a mesothelioma trust, but if a specific party is directly responsible for your asbestos exposure, it can form grounds for a personal injury claim. For example, if your employer knowingly assigned you to work in an area that had a risk of asbestos exposure, they face liability for your damages even if they have workers’ compensation insurance.

Your Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer can help determine fault for your asbestos exposure and construct a civil claim that aims for maximum compensation. Success with a personal injury case requires clear proof of the defendant’s liability for your damages. You must prove that the defendant caused actual harm and provide proof of the full extent of your losses, and you must also prove the defendant is directly responsible.

Success with a personal injury claim for asbestos exposure in Columbia may require extensive research and solid documentation proving exactly when and where you were exposed. If the defendant in your case is a specific company or property owner, your attorney can help gather the evidence needed to show they are directly responsible for the asbestos exposure you suffered and all related damages.

Claimable Damages in Your Personal Injury Case

If you are able to prove that a defendant is directly liable for your asbestos exposure, your personal injury claim could yield substantial compensation for your related damages. Under South Carolina’s personal injury statutes, the defendant is liable for your:

• Medical expenses. Any medical treatment you require that cannot be recovered through alternative recovery efforts may be cited as economic damages in your personal injury claim. This can include hospital bills, specialist care, medication costs, and even costs associated with palliative care you may need in the future.
• Lost income. When you are unable to work and earn income due to the symptoms of asbestos exposure, the defendant liable for your condition is responsible for the income you are unable to earn. This includes lost future earning potential if you have been diagnosed well before retirement age. Your attorney can help assess the full amount of income you would have reasonably expected to earn in the future.
• Pain and suffering. You have the right to seek as much compensation for your pain and suffering as you believe to be appropriate. Being diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma entails not only physically painful symptoms but also the psychological impact of a terminal diagnosis, so your pain and suffering compensation may overshadow all the other compensation you secure from a successful asbestos exposure claim.

If a business or property owner caused your asbestos exposure injury through intentional misconduct of any kind, such as actively concealing a known asbestos risk, they may face not only fines but also punitive damages at the discretion of the judge handling your claim. Ultimately, many variables could influence your final case award, and a Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer is the ideal asset to have on your side for your claim.

What to Expect From Your Columbia Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

When you choose Wallace & Graham as your legal representatives for an asbestos exposure claim in Columbia, you can expect compassionate and responsive legal counsel through all stages of your recovery efforts. We know the unique challenges that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related medical issues cause and want to help you recover as much compensation as possible in the shortest timeframe possible.

Dealing with a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another type of asbestos-related disease can be devastating, but getting help from a skilled attorney may be your first step at receiving compensation. If you have concerns about the cost of hiring an attorney to represent your case, there is no need to worry about excessive attorneys’ fees if you choose Wallace & Graham to represent you.

Experienced Columbia Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyers

Our firm takes asbestos-exposure clients on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee agreement, you only pay a percentage of your final case award as your attorneys’ fee, and only if and when they win your case. There is no fee if our firm is unable to secure compensation.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related medical conditions progress rapidly, and you have a limited time in which to pursue compensation. If you are ready to explore your options for legal recourse with the help of an attorney you can trust, contact Wallace & Graham today to schedule a free consultation with a Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer.

South Carolina Mesothelioma Resources