South Carolina Mesothelioma Lawyer

South Carolina Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we represent mesothelioma victims throughout South Carolina, including people from Columbia, Charleston, Greenville and surrounding areas. We also represent clients throughout the Southeast and nationwide.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering and other hardships.

Contact a mesothelioma litigation attorney in South Carolina today to discuss your possible personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We offer a free consultation at 800-849-5291.

Asbestos Exposure in South Carolina

Were you exposed to asbestos in South Carolina? Hundreds of thousands of Americans have been exposed to asbestos, leaving them to suffer mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. If you or a loved one has suffered due to asbestos exposure in South Carolina, it is important to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable in the points of asbestos exposure.

Partners Bill Graham and Mona Lisa Wallace have nearly 40 combined years in mesothelioma litigation, supported by a dedicated team of experienced lawyers, paralegals and support staff. Whether you were exposed at work, on a Navy vessel or due to contact with a family member, we will work to identify all liable parties.

Who is Responsible?

In South Carolina and elsewhere, many companies knew about the risks of asbestos exposure, but did nothing to protect their employees from harm. It was simply more cost-effective to pay off diseased workers than implement safety features. These cost-cutting measures have cost countless people their lives. Our South Carolina asbestos litigation attorneys are focused on holding these negligent companies responsible for their actions, and helping our clients obtain the relief they need and deserve.

Our No. 1 concern is ensuring that clients get proper diagnosis and timely medical treatment.

Call 800-849-5291 or contact us online for your free case evaluation. We represent clients from South Carolina, North Carolina, throughout the Southeast and nationwide.

Experienced South Carolina Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related health condition, it’s vital to speak with a South Carolina asbestos exposure lawyer. Those suffering from such a condition need medical care and an experienced attorney to help them get the care they need and the compensation they deserve.

Asbestos was widely used throughout the United States for the construction of all types of buildings due to its fireproofing capabilities. Unfortunately, the long-term health risks of asbestos exposure were not immediately noticeable, and it took many years for the hazards of asbestos to become apparent.

Representing South Carolina Asbestos Exposure Victims

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham focus specifically on mesothelioma claims in the Carolinas and throughout the Southern United States. We have helped many past clients uncover the causes of their medical conditions and assisted them in securing fair compensation for their damages. If your family has been negatively affected by asbestos, it is vital to know what the right attorney can do for your recovery.

Depending on how, when, and where you were exposed to asbestos, it is possible to have grounds for a civil suit against an asbestos product manufacturer, an employer, or any other party bearing fault for the exposure you suffered. Some victims of asbestos exposure will qualify to file claims through mesothelioma injury trusts, while others may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits for asbestos-related health conditions acquired from their work.

Whatever legal issues you may face in the aftermath of an asbestos-related medical diagnosis, you will need representation you can trust to guide you toward the fullest recovery possible. It’s natural to have lots of pressing legal questions in this difficult situation, and the team at Wallace & Graham is ready to provide the support you need to approach your case with confidence.

Understanding a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that only develops from asbestos exposure, meaning anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma can say with certainty that they acquired the condition from asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is a very complex and terminal form of lung cancer. There is no cure, and by the time symptoms become noticeable, the disease has usually progressed to critical levels.

One of the most challenging and frustrating aspects of mesothelioma is the time it takes for the disease to appear in a noticeable way. On average, most diagnoses happen 25 to 40 years after exposure. It is sometimes possible to diagnose mesothelioma as soon as 10 years following exposure, and in other cases, it may take 50 years to manifest in a noticeable way.

The average life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with mesothelioma is 18 months, but it is possible for some individuals to survive longer with appropriate medical care. However, the disease is incurable and terminal, so it can be very distressing for anyone to receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, even if it is detected early.

The first warning signs of mesothelioma are often mistaken for other, less serious medical conditions like respiratory infections and other transient illnesses. Early symptoms of mesothelioma can include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pains, and nausea. Symptoms can progress to cause memory loss, irregular heartbeats, and collapsed lungs.

How Do I Prove That I Was Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos fibers are very small, sharp, and very light. They can remain suspended in the air in interior spaces for days and can be inhaled into the lungs. Once asbestos fibers reach the lungs, they will embed and slowly begin to form mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers can be identified using various medical screenings like bronchoscopies and lung biopsies.

Once asbestos has been identified and the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, recovery of any compensation for their condition will depend on their ability to prove exactly when and where they were exposed. An experienced asbestos exposure lawyer can be invaluable for these efforts, as determining the exact cause of your condition could require extensive research and document review spanning decades.

Mesothelioma Injury Trust Claims

One of the most common recovery channels for those diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure is a mesothelioma injury trust. Many companies that formerly produced asbestos products and other businesses that were forced to close due to asbestos hazards have been compelled to create these trusts, which provide a streamlined avenue of compensation for those they have exposed to asbestos.

There are currently many mesothelioma injury trusts in the United States that still contain billions in un-disbursed compensation, and the average claim payout through such a trust can be anywhere from $300,000 to $400,000. The claim filing process is relatively straightforward, and if this is a viable option for your situation, an experienced asbestos exposure lawyer can make the process even easier.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Asbestos Exposure

Under South Carolina law, almost every employer in the state must have workers’ compensation insurance that meets basic coverage requirements. If you work in the state and suffer an injury or develop an illness from your work, you are likely eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. When it comes to asbestos exposure, you will need to prove that you were exposed to this substance while performing your job duties.

Most employers handle their injured workers’ claims for workers’ compensation benefits in good faith, providing them with the materials and information they need to file their claims. However, some do not, and some go so far as to interfere with their employees’ claims or retaliate against them. This is likely to occur if an employer knowingly hid an asbestos risk in their workplace.

If your employer knew of an asbestos risk in your workplace but did not take appropriate steps to address it, it can not only form the foundation of your workers’ compensation claim but also enable you to pursue additional compensation with a civil suit. Additionally, your employer is likely to face fines and other penalties for allowing the hazard to persist in your workplace.

Asbestos removal is very expensive, so some employers attempt to skirt this expense to the detriment of their employees. If your employer compelled you to perform any work that had virtual certainty of resulting in any type of physical harm, it could nullify the immunity they typically have from your civil damages that workers’ compensation insurance provides. Your South Carolina asbestos exposure lawyer can help address any such issues in your case.

Building a Personal Injury Case for Asbestos Exposure

While a mesothelioma injury trust may provide some valuable compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis, filing this type of claim may not be an option for every person diagnosed with an asbestos-related medical condition. It is also possible that workers’ compensation benefits will only account for a fraction of the total damages your diagnosis involves.

If you can prove that another party is directly responsible for the asbestos exposure you have experienced, it is possible to hold them accountable with a personal injury claim. Under the state’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff in the case has the right to seek full repayment of all economic losses the defendant inflicted. Due to the severity of mesothelioma, the plaintiff could claim substantial compensation.

Success with any personal injury suit will require clear proof that the defendant directly caused the damages. You may need to prove that the defendant directly caused your exposure or that they knowingly allowed you to be exposed. Your asbestos exposure lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to establish fault for your damages.

Claiming Compensation for Asbestos-Related Medical Expenses

Once you have proven the exact cause of your condition and identified the party or parties responsible, you can proceed with claiming compensation for all related economic damages. One of the most important parts of this will be your medical expenses. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, but the symptoms can be managed and the victim’s life extended with appropriate medical care. It’s possible to seek compensation for medical expenses, including:

• Hospital bills
• Specialist visits
• Surgery expenses
• Prescription medication costs
• Expenses related to palliative care

Your legal team can assist you in claiming the full extent of medical expenses you can recover from the defendant. While the average person may be able to assess their immediate medical treatment costs, accurate calculation of long-term expenses will be easier with an attorney’s help. If you qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim for asbestos exposure, your employer’s insurance carrier will cover all related medical expenses.

Compensation for Lost Income

Mesothelioma is incredibly painful and debilitating. Once an individual is diagnosed with this disease, they may only have a few months to a few years left to live. Not only will they require expensive medical care, but they will also be unable to work and earn income from their family. Workers’ compensation benefits may provide some disability benefits to those who qualify to file these claims, but lost income and lost earning potential can be recovered with a civil suit.

If you can prove another party is responsible for your diagnosis, it is possible to hold them accountable for any income you have been unable to earn because of their actions. You can also seek accountability for income that you will be unable to earn in the future. While most mesothelioma diagnoses happen later in patients’ lives due to the time it takes for the disease to noticeably manifest, you may be diagnosed earlier in life.

The defendant in your case is liable for lost income and lost future income, and an experienced South Carolina asbestos exposure lawyer can help calculate the exact amount you can claim. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma with years left to go until retirement, it’s possible to recover the income you would have otherwise expected to earn if you hadn’t developed your condition.

Claiming Pain and Suffering Compensation in Your Asbestos Exposure Case

Under the state’s personal injury laws, a plaintiff has the right to seek compensation not only for their economic damages but also for their non-economic damages. Specifically, you will have the right to seek pain and suffering compensation from the defendant in your claim, and there is no limit to how much you can claim.

In most personal injury cases, attorneys base their clients’ pain and suffering claims on the overall severity of their condition and the extent of the long-term or permanent effects of the condition. When you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it not only entails extremely painful physical symptoms but also the heavy psychological toll of being terminally diagnosed. You can claim compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.

Your asbestos exposure lawyer can help determine a suitable amount of pain and suffering compensation to seek from the defendant in your case. For many personal injury plaintiffs, pain and suffering will account for most of their final case awards, especially when they are claiming compensation for a terminal medical condition like mesothelioma.

What to Expect From Your South Carolina Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

When you choose Wallace & Graham to represent your asbestos exposure injury claim, you can expect compassionate support and responsive guidance from our team through all stages of your legal proceedings. Our firm excels at helping clients afflicted with mesothelioma, and we know how to navigate all the various channels you may need to explore to ensure the fullest recovery possible.

South Carolina Mesothelioma Claims

Are you or a loved one experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma in South Carolina? Mesothelioma is a form of cancer with only one cause — exposure to asbestos. While this disease is not curable, medical treatment can improve and prolong the lives of victims.

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham, P.A. represent people who have suffered from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. We serve clients from throughout South Carolina, including the cities of Columbia, Charleston and Greenville. We also handle mesothelioma claims for clients throughout the Southeast and nationwide.

Contact our South Carolina mesothelioma lawyers to discuss your possible personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We offer a free consultation at 800-849-5291.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos particles that become lodged in the lining of the lungs. It typically takes many years for mesothelioma symptoms to become apparent. People who worked around asbestos decades ago are only finding out today that they have mesothelioma.

How Can We Help?

In handling South Carolina mesothelioma claims, our priority is connecting clients with the surgeons, oncologists and pulmonary specialists who offer the best hope for extended life. Our lawyers thoroughly investigate asbestos claims to locate the point of exposure and to identify liable parties. We are aggressive litigators who have gone up against some of the largest corporations in the world, and succeeded.

Skilled South Carolina Asbestos Exposure Attorneys

If you have any concerns about the cost of hiring a South Carolina asbestos exposure lawyer, contact our office. We understand the devasting effects of such a disease and want our clients to get the care they need. Our firm provides legal representation for these claims on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee agreement, the client only pays legal fees if and when their attorney wins their case. There is no fee at all if our firm is unable to secure compensation for you.

You have a limited time in which to pursue compensation for the asbestos exposure you have experienced. If you are ready to learn what an experienced asbestos exposure lawyer can do for you, contact Wallace & Graham today to schedule a free consultation with our team.

South Carolina Mesothelioma Resources