South Carolina is one of two places in the United States with vermiculite mining operations, the other being Virginia. Vermiculite is used in many horticultural products and packing materials, but the mining of this substance can lead to asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma while working in this industry, it is vital to consult a South Carolina vermiculite mining asbestos exposure lawyer as quickly as possible to discuss your legal options.
Wallace & Graham, P.A., has years of professional experience representing clients in all types of mesothelioma cases, including those pertaining to the vermiculite mining industry. We can help our client accurately determine the source of their asbestos exposure, assess their most viable recovery options, and guide them through the process of securing compensation for their damages as efficiently as possible.
The vermiculite mining industry is heavily regulated with respect to asbestos. Both vermiculite and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals that are often discovered intermingled, meaning that contaminated vermiculite, once disturbed, has the potential to release asbestos fibers into the area, affecting anyone who comes into contact with these fibers. It is important to remember that just a single exposure to asbestos is enough to cause mesothelioma.
One of the most challenging aspects of all mesothelioma cases is the time that this disease remains dormant. It can take decades for noticeable symptoms to appear, and these symptoms are often mistaken for less serious medical conditions. However, by the time symptoms appear, the disease has already reached an advanced stage. This can make it very difficult to accurately determine the original source of the victim’s exposure to asbestos.
If you work in the vermiculite mining industry and have developed mesothelioma, it is generally safe to assume the condition is a direct result of your work duties. South Carolina requires almost every employer in the state to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance applies to any injury or illness acquired on the job. This means you may have the ability to seek workers’ compensation benefits if you can prove you acquired your illness from work.
However, workers’ compensation benefits are relatively limited, usually only covering medical expenses and a portion of lost income resulting from a work-related illness or injury. Death benefits may also be paid to the family of a worker who died from a work-related injury or illness. Your attorney can help you determine whether you have any additional avenues of recovery available to you, such as a lawsuit against your employer.
If an investigation reveals that your employer did not adhere to applicable asbestos safety standards or that they were aware of a serious asbestos exposure risk and did nothing to prevent harm to their workers, it could form grounds for a civil lawsuit. If you acquired your condition through working for an employer that has since gone out of business, they may have created a mesothelioma injury trust through which you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation.
Wallace & Graham, P.A., can assist you in navigating these complex recovery options after your diagnosis. We have successfully helped many clients in the state with all types of mesothelioma cases, including those arising from the vermiculite mining industry. You need to connect with a South Carolina vermiculite mining asbestos exposure lawyer as quickly as possible to have the greatest chance of success with your recovery efforts.
A: You can claim compensation for exposure to asbestos by determining when and where you were exposed, identifying the party or parties liable for your exposure, and proving the full extent of your damages associated with the exposure. Depending on the details of your situation, you may have grounds to seek workers’ compensation benefits, file a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust, or file a personal injury suit against a specific party responsible for your exposure.
A: Vermiculite mining can cause mesothelioma if a worker is exposed to raw vermiculite contaminated with asbestos. These minerals are often found intermingled, and separating asbestos from vermiculite is extremely difficult. If contaminated vermiculite is disturbed, it can release asbestos fibers into the surrounding area, where they may be inhaled or ingested and cause those affected to develop mesothelioma in South Carolina.
A: Your employer could be liable for vermiculite mining asbestos exposure if they failed to adhere to applicable safety regulations to mitigate the risk of asbestos exposure and/or knowingly exposed their employees to contaminated vermiculite. If you are unsure whether your employer is liable for your condition, you should consult an experienced vermiculite mining asbestos exposure lawyer right away.
A: You should hire a South Carolina vermiculite mining asbestos exposure lawyer because this type of case is very challenging, and you could face a variety of complex proceedings that you will not know how to navigate effectively on your own. Additionally, if you must file a claim against a vermiculite mining company, they likely have a robust in-house legal department that would be very difficult to confront by yourself.
A: The cost to hire a South Carolina vermiculite mining asbestos exposure lawyer will depend on the attorney’s billing policy. Wallace & Graham, P.A., accepts mesothelioma claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning our firm only charges our clients a fee if and when we win their case, and the fee will be a percentage of their final settlement or verdict. We only collect this fee if we are able to secure compensation for the client.
Wallace & Graham, P.A., has successfully represented many asbestos exposure claims in the state, including many pertaining to the vermiculite mining industry. If you believe you have grounds to pursue a claim, we can help, and it is important to start building your case as quickly as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina vermiculite mining asbestos exposure lawyer and learn how we can help with your case.