- Aqua-Chem Inc.
- CSX Transportation, Inc.
- Steel mills
- Shipyards
- Power plants
Mesothelioma Attorney North Carolina
Our North Carolina mesothelioma lawyers are available to investigate potential claims on behalf of current and former residents and workers in the state who have been affected by asbestos. We know the laws governing asbestos use and the specific companies responsible for exposure in the state. We serve as advocates for affected workers and their families and can help you and your family get the maximum amount of compensation possible.
To find out if and how we can help you, please contact us today.
Cities in North Carolina With Asbestos Problems
If you worked or lived for years in the cities and towns below, you may have been exposed to asbestos:
- Asheville
- Belmont
- Durham
- High Point
- Wilson
- Wilmington
- Winston Salem
- Charlotte
- Raleigh
- Rocky Mount
North Carolina Asbestos Lawsuit
(Raymond W. Williams v. CSX Transportation, Inc.) An important North Carolina case involved CSX Transportation, which employed the plaintiff for 38 years. According to the suit, the asbestos pipe and boiler insulation materials the plaintiff worked with resulted in the development of mesothelioma.
The plaintiff filed an asbestos lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) because CSX is a railroad company. According to the jury, CSX was aware of the dangers of asbestos since the 1930s but did not adequately protect its workers. The plaintiff’s award was $7.5 million, a verdict that was upheld on appeal in 2006.
Asbestos in Homes, Schools, Buildings
North Carolina is home to thousands of homes, schools, libraries, stores and workplaces that were built with asbestos components such as:
- Ceiling tiles
- Floor tiles
- Cement siding
- Caulking
- Shingles
- Roofing
- Insulation materials
- Paint
While the presence of asbestos in these construction materials is not necessarily dangerous to those living or working in the buildings, if the materials are disturbed from wear and tear, harsh weather, corrosion or during demolition, the asbestos fibers can pose a risk. Anyone living in a home built before the 1970s should have the home inspected for asbestos and properly removed if at all damaged.
Construction workers, painters, roofers and others involved in the construction of buildings containing asbestos products are still at risk for a mesothelioma diagnosis since the symptoms can take up to 50 years to fully develop. Demolition workers today could also be at risk if the asbestos materials aren’t properly disposed of during demolition.
Powerplants and Asbestos in North Carolina
According to scientific research in Puerto Rico, 13% of more than 4000 former power plant workers showed signs of asbestos diseases on their chest x-rays. Another study done by the Center for Health Statistics showed that the workers at powerplants were at higher risk for mesothelioma and asbestosis. Workers at especially high risk are electricians, pipefitters, boilermakers and maintenance workers.
Asbestos insulation often was used to protect electrical conduits and materials containing asbestos were used in drywall, plaster and cement that were used to build the buildings that contained them. Also, wiring, panel partitions and electrical cloth was made with asbestos-containing materials.
Steel Mills and Asbestos in North Carolina
The Nucor Corp. was one of the first steel mills to use a new electric arc furnace instead of a blast furnace to make steel. There still were substantial heat and fire hazards, so asbestos was always used for the ladles, ovens, boilers, steam pipes and gaskets and linings. Asbestos exposure also occurred from the protective clothing designed to protect steelworkers. Steelworkers with the highest asbestos risk are:
- Pourers and casters
- Tenders and operators
- Millwrights
- Welders
- Machine setters
- Furnace operators
Shipbuilding and Asbestos in North Carolina
Research done by the National Cancer Institute has shown that Coast Guard shipbuilders were at higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. Ship construction often used asbestos products to contain heat and fire; these materials were used for fireproof doors, pipes and even between decks to deaden sound. Some of the shipyards in North Carolina include the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, Cardinal Lines and New Bern Shipyard.
North Carolina Asbestos Hazard Management Program
Most of the major cities in North Carolina have industries that use asbestos. In addition, there are several natural deposits of chrysotile asbestos in the west/southwest parts of North Carolina. The North Carolina Asbestos Hazard Management Program is the state agency that strives to educate state residents about the dangers of asbestos and the safe ways to remove asbestos from buildings.
Mesothelioma Statistics in North Carolina
From 1980 until 2000, 1,000 people in North Carolina died from asbestos diseases. It should be noted that asbestosis is much more common than mesothelioma, but 50% of asbestos disease victims here were from mesothelioma. This is probably because asbestosis can be managed if caught early enough, but mesothelioma is almost always fatal within 18 months of diagnosis.
Get Help From a North Carolina Asbestos Attorney
If you suspect that your work, your residence or another factor has exposed you to a toxic level of asbestos, consult a North Carolina asbestos law firm to discuss your concerns. An experienced attorney can determine if you are eligible to pursue financial compensation via an asbestos lawsuit or settlement. It’s important that you work with an attorney with experience in mesothelioma claims, because only an attorney with the experience and resources will be able to get you a full financial recovery.
If you choose to work with an attorney from our network, you can expect:
- To be treated with respect
- To be treated like family
- To have a team of advocates working to help you and your family get the compensation you need and deserve
- Help navigating the maze of medical bills and treatments that come with a mesothelioma diagnosis
- Help connecting with the top mesothelioma specialists in your area
- No fees unless we win your case and get you financial compensation
For more information about your specific case and to find out if you qualify to file a claim, please contact us today.
