Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. However, this disease takes a very long time to manifest in noticeable ways following exposure. If you have been diagnosed, it is natural to wonder where and how you were exposed and how long ago the exposure occurred. You may also wonder about what legal options are available to help you recover, and a Rock Hill, SC, mesothelioma lawyer can help in this situation.
Wallace & Graham, P.A., has an extensive professional record of successful mesothelioma claims for clients in South Carolina. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, you are likely to have many difficult legal questions you cannot answer on your own. The impact of a mesothelioma diagnosis on any family can be devastating, and you need legal counsel you trust in this difficult situation.
Our firm works closely with every client we represent to help them accurately determine the cause of their condition, what recovery options may be available to them, and how they can maximize the compensation they obtain. Depending on how you developed mesothelioma, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against a manufacturer, a workers’ compensation claim through an employer, a disability claim, or a combination of options.
Ultimately, these cases are inherently challenging for many reasons, and trustworthy legal counsel will be an essential asset if you want to reach the optimal outcome for your impending case. With our firm’s assistance, you can approach your proceedings with confidence and will be more likely to reach a positive conclusion to your case than you would be on your own. You have a limited time to file your claim after diagnosis, so it’s vital to reach out as quickly as possible.
South Carolina enforces strict regulations for asbestos, including specific rules that must be followed if you intend to pursue any type of legal recourse for asbestos exposure. The first challenge you face in any mesothelioma claim is determining when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos. The very long latency period of mesothelioma means that you may need to review decades of records in order to determine the source of your condition.
Many companies that formerly produced asbestos products went out of business or shifted to different operations once the health risks of asbestos became clear. Many such companies were compelled to create mesothelioma injury trusts that continue to disburse compensation to claimants affected by their products each year. Depending on how you were exposed to asbestos, you may have grounds to file a claim against such a trust.
It is also possible to have grounds for a personal injury claim against a manufacturer or property owner. If they did not follow appropriate regulations concerning asbestos, they could face additional legal consequences in addition to liability for your damages. If you have grounds for a personal injury suit, you could potentially recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and your pain and suffering.
If you contracted mesothelioma through work, you could file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Rock Hill also pursue disability benefits, and qualifying for benefits can be more challenging than the average person understands. You may have more avenues of recovery available to you than you initially realize, and your mesothelioma lawyer in Rock Hill, SC, can help you make sense of your situation.
A: Proving asbestos exposure in a mesothelioma claim is essential for recovering compensation. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, but the claimant must be able to prove how, when, and where they were exposed so they can determine liability and what recovery options are available to them. It’s possible to have grounds for a civil claim against a manufacturer, a workers’ compensation claim through an employer, or multiple legal options.
A: The symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the type of mesothelioma the victim has and the severity of the condition. The most common noticeable symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, painful coughing, and chest pain. The most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, swelling, and nausea. It’s possible for mesothelioma to spread from the pleura to other parts of the body over time.
A: The latency period of mesothelioma is the time that passes between the victim’s initial exposure to asbestos and the appearance of mesothelioma symptoms. It’s possible for mesothelioma symptoms to appear as soon as 10 years following exposure or after 50 or more years. The average latency period is about 25 years. This can make it difficult for a victim to determine exactly when and where they were exposed.
A: You should hire a mesothelioma lawyer because this type of case is inherently complex, and you will likely need an attorney’s help to accurately determine the cause of your condition and your most viable recovery options. Additionally, your attorney can help you maximize the recovery you obtain through a personal injury suit, a workers’ compensation claim, a disability claim, or a combination of different legal efforts to address your condition.
A: The cost to hire a Rock Hill, SC, mesothelioma lawyer will depend on the lawyer’s billing policy. The attorneys at Wallace & Graham, P.A., accept mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee is a percentage of whatever compensation we secure on our client’s behalf. There are no upfront legal fees for our representation, and our client is only required to pay their contingency fee if and when we win their case.
The attorneys at Wallace & Graham, P.A., have years of professional experience representing victims of asbestos exposure in Rock Hill and surrounding communities, and we are confident that our team can guide you toward a positive result in your case. Whether you are seeking compensation on your own behalf or on behalf of a loved one, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Rock Hill, SC, mesothelioma lawyer.