North Carolina Automotive Workers Mesothelioma Lawyer

North Carolina Automotive Workers Mesothelioma Attorney

Working in the automotive industry may expose you to asbestos. If this happens to you, you could have a right to recover expenses for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. At Wallace & Graham, a North Carolina automotive workers’ mesothelioma lawyer from our firm can help you understand your legal rights to compensation.

If a medical professional diagnoses you or a North Carolina automotive worker you love with mesothelioma, we can fight for you. We understand the unique challenges that automotive workers face after asbestos exposure.

Automotive Workers and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer originating in the mesothelium, which is the thin layer of tissue that lines vital organs. North Carolina automotive workers have a long history of being exposed to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma.

For many North Carolina residents, a career in the automotive industry means a life of honest work helping people get back on the road. Unfortunately, mechanics and repair workers who worked on older vehicles could have been exposed to asbestos, tainting their dedication to helping others.

Many older vehicles contained parts made with asbestos, including brake pads and linings, clutch facings, gaskets, seals, and insulation. Mechanics and repair workers who serviced these vehicles may have been at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers during their typical work activities. Even brief exposure can increase someone’s risk of developing mesothelioma decades later.

If you worked in the automotive industry, you may have been exposed to asbestos.

Why Asbestos Can Be Found in Older Vehicles

Asbestos was praised for its heat- and fire-resistant properties in years past. Due to its wide appeal, the automotive industry has used asbestos for decades. Parts throughout vehicles possibly contained life-threatening asbestos.

While regulations eventually prevented asbestos from being used in the manufacturing of newer vehicles, many older vehicle makers never removed the asbestos-containing materials from their older models.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Some people do not realize that they have been exposed to asbestos until they have already developed an illness. It is wise to understand the symptoms of mesothelioma to know when you should seek medical attention. The symptoms of mesothelioma can depend on the cancer’s location, but they commonly include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Weight loss
• Persistent coughing
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

How We Can Help

The North Carolina mesothelioma attorneys at Wallace & Graham understand your challenges when you receive a diagnosis. We want to help you by:

• Investigating the Cause of Your Exposure: We can meticulously investigate your work history to find the companies that were responsible for placing you at risk of exposure.
• Filing Your Compensation Claim: We can help gather all the necessary medical records, employment documentation, and expert testimonies to help build the strongest case for your compensation.
• Negotiating With Asbestos Trusts and Insurance Companies: We aggressively handle all negotiations with applicable parties to present your case for maximum compensation. With us, you can ensure that a fair settlement can be pursued.
• Representing You in Court When Necessary: Our attorneys can work to hold the companies responsible for your exposure accountable, even if that means representing you in court.

Compensation for You and Your Loved Ones

Mesothelioma can cause significant physical and financial hardships. Compensation can help cover medical treatment costs, lost wages, and other expenses. Common types of compensation for an asbestos-related case include:

• Asbestos Trust Funds: Even though many asbestos manufacturing companies filed for bankruptcy to avoid litigation, asbestos trust funds exist to compensate asbestos-related victims.
• Workers’ Compensation Benefits: Possible exposure to asbestos on the job may make you eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
• Personal Injury Claims: In some cases, you can file a personal injury claim against the companies that are responsible for your asbestos exposure.

Why You Need Timely Care and Representation

Due to mesothelioma being such an aggressive cancer, early detection can significantly alter your quality of life and treatment possibilities. Recognizing symptoms early is not always possible, but preemptive checkups can be wise for automotive workers in North Carolina, especially if they believe that they have a possibility of asbestos exposure.

Please seek medical attention if you experience potential mesothelioma symptoms. Early diagnosis can allow for proactive treatment, granting you more time with loved ones.

Asbestos Exposure FAQs

Q: Can You Have Mild Asbestosis?

A: Asbestosis can manifest itself mildly. It is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Those fibers become lodged in your alveoli and can cause symptoms like shortness of breath and lung tissue scarring. These symptoms can present mildly but also very severely, and they usually do not appear until years or decades after the initial exposure.

Q: Is There a Difference Between Asbestosis and Mesothelioma?

A: The main difference between asbestosis and mesothelioma is that mesothelioma is a cancer, while asbestosis is not. Finding mesothelioma involves locating the cancerous tumors that developed in the mesothelium, the protective tissue that covers internal organs. Asbestosis, though painful, is an interstitial lung disease involving inflammation and scarring of the lungs.

Q: Can Asbestosis Be Mistaken for Mesothelioma?

A: If someone was talking about general lung diseases, they could mistake asbestosis for mesothelioma, but they are very different. Mesothelioma is a cancer that can spread throughout the entire body, while asbestosis is contained in the lungs and respiratory tract.

While people can survive for several decades with asbestosis, mesothelioma’s life expectancy can be less than a couple of years.

Q: How Much Compensation Do You Get for Asbestosis?

A: The compensation that you can get for asbestosis can vary, depending on the details of your situation. If a medical professional diagnosed you or someone you love with asbestosis or mesothelioma, you may have a right to compensation.

Different types of asbestos compensation include trial verdicts, settlements, and asbestos trust fund payouts. Some totals are hundreds of thousands, while some are millions. Since many asbestos companies are bankrupt, many claims are now filed against asbestos trust funds.

Contact Us to Help You in Your Mesothelioma Fight

If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, your medical bills, lost wages, and uncertain future can be overwhelming. Mesothelioma treatment can be more expensive than you expect. The costs of surgery, chemotherapy, other treatments, and ongoing medication can add up quickly. Proper compensation can alleviate your immense financial burden.

With Wallace & Graham, you are not alone in your fight. We know the unique challenges that you face while living with an asbestos-related illness. Our team of skilled North Carolina automotive worker mesothelioma attorneys is dedicated to getting you the compensation you desperately need.

Contact us today for a consultation and to learn how we can help you seek justice and financial relief.