Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is the value of my case?”
Asbestos is a natural substance that was useful in the construction industry for decades. Many people who worked with the substance or lived or worked in buildings that contain it may suffer from illnesses due to exposure. Asbestos is composed of a variety of minerals and when it is disturbed it breaks into tiny particles that get into the air we breathe. Breathing in asbestos has been found to be carcinogenic and may result in serious illnesses, particularly of the lungs and other organs. If you were exposed to asbestos and later found out you have an asbestos-related illness, you may be owed money for your injuries.
Why Asbestos is Dangerous
People did not know that asbestos was dangerous when they used it as a building material. Asbestos was used for insulation because it is fire-retardant. Therefore, you can often find it in the ceilings, walls, attics, and basements of buildings large and small. Once in place, asbestos was safe because it was in place. However, when buildings are remodeled or updated, the substance becomes airborne where people nearby can breathe it into their bodies. When it gets into the lungs and other parts of the body it can be toxic. The effects of exposure to asbestos are often cumulative and it can take years for the symptoms to make themselves known. Now, asbestos is a known carcinogen that requires special remediation to remove from buildings.
Illnesses Related to Asbestos
There are several serious illnesses or medical problems that are related to asbestos exposure. Most often, asbestos exposure results in severe respiratory illnesses that are not reversible. Some illnesses caused by asbestos exposure include:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
These illnesses are all types of cancer that are located in the respiratory system. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. It can also spread to organs such as the heart and stomach. Mesothelioma progresses rapidly and a qualified physician should be consulted as soon as possible regarding treatment.
Lung cancer can be caused by exposure to a variety of carcinogens, including asbestos. Lung cancer is in part characterized by difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain. As it progresses, lung cancer can be a painful and traumatic disease. Asbestosis is a type of respiratory disease that is not cancer. It is a chronic lung disease that produces scarring on the lungs. Over time, the scarring makes breathing difficult and requires ongoing medical care as it continues to progress over time. In general, all respiratory illnesses may greatly impact your quality of life and may make everyday activities difficult.
You May Be Owed Money for Your Asbestos-Related Illness
Asbestos-related illnesses are sometimes challenging to diagnose because the exposure may have occurred years or decades ago. Still, you may be entitled to compensation from a negligent party. An experienced personal injury attorney will review the details of your case and gather evidence about your claim to determine how to proceed. Nothing can change the outcome of your exposure to asbestos, but you and your family should consult with an experienced attorney about your options to receive money for your injuries including for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other things. If you are suffering from an asbestos-related illness, we may be able to help. Call (704) 370-2828 to receive a video, phone or in-person consultation with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mesothelioma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375022
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/just-has-been-1474644
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
See Our Related Blog Posts:
After a Workplace Injury: What North Carolina Residents Should Know