North Carolina residents may have been exposed to asbestos leading to Mesothelioma. In 2018, during a renovation at the Douglas International Airport, asbestos was found in Concord B. Many travelers in and out of the airport were left with feelings of uneasiness as the invisible but deadly fibers can linger in the air for decades if not properly removed. 

North Carolina is ranked 12th in the nation for illness and death related to asbestos. Out of the 1419 asbestos-related fatalities, 336 have been proven to be a direct result of exposure, while 1083 were related to mesothelioma alone. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services estimates that asbestos has been used in over 3000 homes and residential buildings in the past 100 years.      

Many industries in Charlotte, specifically, are known for using asbestos or including asbestos such as mines, mills, factories, shipyards and some military bases. Odorless, tasteless, and invisible to the naked eye, asbestos exposure can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, lung scarring, and pain and disability. It can also lead to several diseases such as lung, larynx, and ovarian cancer, as well as asbestosis and mesothelioma, to name a few. 

North Carolina History

Its roots etched deep in southern history and named after King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte, North Carolina’s city is known for the discovery of gold, which sparked what some say was the beginning of the Gold Rush that expanded to the west. North Carolina was also a vital site in the Civil War, and its humble colonial beginnings have now emerged into one of the fastest growing metropolises in the lower U.S. 

Home to specialty museums, North Carolina boasts an impressive collection of diverse yet unique exhibits. From the Mint Museum with ancient American art to the Harvey B. Grant Museum of African American Arts, enthusiasts of all kinds are sure to be delighted by the priceless works its galleries have to offer.

North Carolina loves the NBA and NASCAR

Sports fans are sure to have some fun while visiting, too. From the NBA Legends and the Hornets to The NASCAR Hall of Fame, there is much to see and do in the athletic realm. Charlotte Motor Speedway alone hosts over 300 races a year. 

Not only known for its southern charm, North Carolina is also a financial mecca. The Federal Reserve has established a branch in Charlotte that has led to its success as one of the biggest banking hubs in the nation. Making up a majority of the state’s central economy, tens of thousands of people are employed in the banking sector. 

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Speak with your healthcare provider about screening if you may have been exposed to asbestos. Early intervention is everything.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma 

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was mined in the U.S. beginning in the late 1800s. It was commonly used for its strength, durability, ability to withstand heat and inexpensiveness. 

Asbestos was routinely added to construction materials, including insulation, floor and ceiling tiles and roofing shingles. Since the U.S. government has yet to totally outlaw its use, it continues to be added to automotive parts, cement and other approved products.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

There is both friable and nonfriable asbestos. Friable means the fibers have been released into the air and can be breathed in. Nonfriable refers to asbestos that is contained, such as in cement. Asbestos in cement will only cause problems if the material is cut, damaged, or crumbles with age. Once asbestos is freed and ingested, it can cause a whole host of health problems.

Once inside the body, asbestos attaches itself to the lungs permanently, causing irritation. Eventually, a person directly exposed, or their family members who have been exposed secondhand, can develop life-threatening illnesses, and these illnesses may not appear for decades.

There is no safe level of asbestos for humans. Breathing in the microscopic particles is always dangerous. Many older structures still contain the mineral, and improper demoing or renovating of aging buildings continues to expose construction teams. Those who worked with asbestos before it was regulated also continue to be diagnosed with related diseases every year.  

Mesothelioma

One of the most aggressive, fast-acting cancers linked to asbestos exposure is mesothelioma. Once diagnosed, many patients only have months (or even just weeks) to live. It spreads quickly, deteriorating quality of life and leaving those diagnosed desperate for effective treatments.

While some treatments can prolong life for a few months and comfort a mesothelioma patient, there is no cure.  Opdivo and Yervoy are two drugs currently being examined for their ability to stop tumors from developing.  Also, a combination of hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy along with surgery can slow down the progression of the disease. While these are options, they’re both limited in scope and expensive.

As a result, many mesothelioma sufferers and their families seek legal solutions to pay for treatment. There are many avenues that one can take to get compensated, and it’s best to seek the help of a professional.

There are still over $30 Billion in asbestos bankruptcy trusts. 

(What are asbestos bankruptcy trusts?)

One solution is to turn to bankruptcy trusts. These trusts have been established by employers offering payment to employees who worked with asbestos as well as their loved ones. Going this route offers a chance to receive a significant payout quickly without the hassle and time delays associated with filing a lawsuit.

When you work with the experts at AsbestosClaims.Law, you’re working with a team of dedicated professionals who have years of experience navigating the claims system. Not only will this alleviate some unnecessary headaches and any missteps along the way, but the team doesn’t make a penny until you do. That means, you won’t owe anything until you cash your check. 

  

North Carolina Mesothelioma Resources

Up until the mid-1970s, asbestos use abounded. It wasn’t until this time that many environmental laws were being passed as asbestos began to be recognized by the federal government as a legitimate health threat. It took until 1989 for the material to be mostly phased out and removal efforts will likely never eliminate it entirely. Much of the mineral remains in older structures and is still allowed in some select industries, including for use in cement

North Carolina has many resources to help its residents with asbestos, including EPA.gov, OSHA.gov, and Labor.NC.gov, and the state provides a long list of licensed remediation companies. The North Carolina Department of Public Health offers various training centers throughout the state so a license can be obtained. 

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that is directly related to asbestos exposure. If diagnosed, it is recommended that a patient speaks with their doctor about treatment options. The Atrium Health medical center located in Charlotte is ranked 4th in the nation for its high-performing adult specialty treatments. Atrium’s cancer doctors will find the best treatment options available to help those in need. 

North Carolina is home to many manufacturing plants and mills. Unfortunately, due to the history and age of these sites, many of its workers may have been exposed to asbestos and may have developed mesothelioma as a result. 

North Carolina’s textile and paper mills were sources of asbestos exposure.

Textile and paper mills are popular job locations, and the mineral was used to provide cooling coverage for the extreme heating of the mechanical parts inside the plants, releasing harmful particles into the air.

Asbestos was used in many coal plants and shipyards in North Carolina.

Coal plants and shipyards in North Carolina have also been notorious for exposing workers to the fibers. Due to its natural resistance to heat and fire, for years asbestos-laden clothing was worn for protection and many of the companies provided these to their employees. The fibers expanded and contracted within the heat and cold, causing asbestos to seep deep down into the pores of the skin, potentially causing cancer and other related illnesses.

Do You Qualify For Compensation?

Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.

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Mesothelioma Lawyers Will Help 

Mesothelioma may have affected you or your loved ones secondhand. The burden of costly medical bills and lost wages that result from being unable to work shouldn’t be yours to bear. It is important that you seek out the  assistance of a mesothelioma lawyer to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

After being diagnosed with a disease and linking it back to asbestos, soliciting the help of an asbestos injury attorney will ensure you have all of your options laid out in front of you. When you contact AsbestosClaims.Law, you get helpful representation to take care of the research and the filing of an asbestos claim. While the process is complicated, the lawyers at Justinian C. Lane & Associates simplify it for you.

Meet W.A.R.D., the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database

Using W.A.R.D., our Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, AsbestosClaims.Law attorneys help clients narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as outline which products could contain trace amounts of asbestos. 

W.A.R.D. can also help indicate which type(s) of compensation clients are entitled to and how much they can potentially expect to receive.

When working with Justinian C. Lane, asbestos claims can be filed with bankruptcy trust funds, workers comp, social security and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (for impacted service members). These attorneys know that bankruptcy claims may give clients the best shot at a payout but explore all other options as well. 

You don’t have to worry about paying the costs upfront because you won’t hand over a single cent until your case is won and compensation has been secured. Don’t delay. Give us a call today! 

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.

If you believe that your home was contaminated with asbestos, or you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

All without filing a lawsuit.

If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.

Elliott, Leslie & Loomis, Dana & Dement, John & Hein, Misty & Richardson, David & Stayner, Leslie. (2012). Lung cancer mortality in North Carolina and South Carolina chrysotile asbestos textile workers. Occupational and environmental medicine. 69. 385-90. 10.1136/oemed-2011-100229.