South Carolina Asbestos Product Lawyer

South Carolina Asbestos Product Attorney

If you are using a product that contains asbestos, either intentionally or unintentionally, the risk of developing a chronic illness increases drastically. For decades, various companies made thousands of different products out of asbestos, including insulation, tiles, various appliances, and even brakes, before government regulations forced the dangerous mineral out of consumers’ lives. However, it still exists in older products, and a South Carolina asbestos product lawyer can help people seek legal action through asbestos exposure claims.

Which Products Contain Asbestos?

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a nationwide ban on the ongoing use of asbestos in consumer products under the Toxic Substance Control Act. Thankfully, the use of asbestos in consumer products had already been severely limited, as scientific evidence of asbestos being a direct cause of various cancers and chronic illnesses became increasingly evident.

Still, older products made before the ban may still contain a significant amount of asbestos. This represents a significant health risk to those who are in constant contact with those products, such as construction materials and machine parts. For example, in the 1970s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that it would only approve any cosmetic products that might contain asbestos if they contain less than 0.01% of the mineral.

It is important to recognize and avoid certain products that may contain even trace amounts of asbestos, as prolonged exposure to the material could cause you to develop mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other forms of cancer later in life. Here are some of the products that are known to have contained asbestos prior to the 2024 EPA ban:

• Various Adhesives: Up until the 1980s, construction companies were still using asbestos-based adhesives in their building materials. These adhesives include caulk, putty, construction tape, and other bindings and sealing agents. Asbestos added durability to these materials and helped make them resistant to heat. Due to their popularity in construction at the time, there are thousands of older buildings and homes that still have asbestos-based adhesives in them.
• Transite: Transite is a mixture of asbestos fibers and cement, resulting in a strong and durable building material that would last. Transite was used to make cement piping, water tanks, flues, and roofing sheets, among other materials. A transite-based building material could withstand corrosion, but workers at the manufacturing plants developing these materials were at great risk of developing mesothelioma. As these materials start to deteriorate, people are at risk again.
• Insulation: Arguably the most popular use of asbestos was in housing insulation, specifically, asbestos-based felt. Asbestos was used in roofing, paper mills, and flooring as late as the 1990s. It could function as a protective layer under the floor or roof when constructing a house or office building. As this felt starts to deteriorate over time, it exposes homeowners and various customers to asbestos fibers, which could cause them serious health problems.
• Talcum Powder: Talc and asbestos are two very similar minerals that are mined in almost the same locations. As a result, it is possible that the talc became contaminated with asbestos at the source. Talcum powder has been linked to various cancers over the years, particularly uterine and ovarian cancer, due to products that have been inadvertently contaminated with asbestos.

South Carolina Asbestos Product FAQs

Q: Can You Sue for Being Exposed to Asbestos?

A: Yes, you can absolutely sue for being exposed to asbestos if you develop an asbestos-related illness and can prove that exposure to asbestos was the direct cause of it. Conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis can only be caused by exposure to asbestos, while a disease like lung cancer has many possible causes. Filing a personal injury claim is possible, as is filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who died from an illness related to asbestos.

Q: Are Asbestos Product Manufacturers Liable?

A: Yes, manufacturers of asbestos products are liable. American courts have held manufacturers accountable for knowingly developing deadly asbestos products but failing to protect their workers and their workers’ families from constant exposure. If you develop an asbestos-related illness, you can file a claim against the manufacturer of the asbestos product that caused your illness and pursue compensatory damages from them with the help of an experienced asbestos lawyer in South Carolina.

Q: How Can I Tell If a Product Contains Asbestos?

A: Regrettably, there is no definitive way to tell if a product has asbestos with the naked eye. If you want to determine if a product you have contains asbestos fibers, you may want to consider taking it to a laboratory with accredited scientists. They can analyze the product with a microscope and make that determination for you. Otherwise, there is extensive history available online regarding notable products that are known to contain asbestos, and you may want to try your hardest to avoid them.

Q: How Do I Prove That I Was Exposed to Asbestos?

A: You can prove that you were exposed to asbestos with the help of a medical professional in South Carolina. They can put you through a series of medical tests and x-rays to determine whether you were exposed and how far along your illness is if you have one. You can provide them with your work history and potential exposure history, and they can examine these, along with medical records and imaging scans, to see if you have any internal damage caused by asbestos.

Reach Out to an Asbestos Lawyer Today

When you use a product, you expect that product to be relatively safe, depending on the product. You don’t expect it to contain a known poison that could cause you prolonged health problems in the future. Asbestos has a long history of causing people pain, suffering, and ill health, and its contamination of many different household products and building materials is the root cause of those problems.

If you have a medical condition that was brought on by exposure to asbestos, you should consider reaching out to an experienced asbestos lawyer today so you can start building your case for compensation. The legal team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., can assist you in developing your case, gathering the necessary evidence, and protecting your interests throughout. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.