The impact of asbestos exposure can be substantial. Many are diagnosed with critical ailments such as respiratory conditions and mesothelioma. The physical devastation of such a diagnosis can be emotionally taxing, and the financial burden may be too much to bear.
When you were exposed to asbestos due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Call an experienced Columbia asbestos exposure attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm to discuss your legal options further in a free consultation. Our Southy Carolina exposure injury lawyer are ready to help you take the next step in recovery.
How Asbestos Exposure Happens in Columbia
Figuring out how you were exposed to asbestos will be one of your personal injury attorney’s most important responsibilities. There are many ways asbestos exposure can occur. Generally, construction workers, contractors, subcontractors, and others in related fields may be at an increased risk for exposure to asbestos due to the use of asbestos in the building of older homes.
Those who were exposed to asbestos over decades in their work begin to experience a wide array of symptoms. They ultimately may develop severe medical conditions, including respiratory illness, mesothelioma, and other critical diseases. However, anyone who works in or around this toxic substance may be at risk for exposure.
This is particularly true when supervisors, construction workers, construction companies, and other third parties do not take the necessary steps to prevent this exposure. Your asbestos exposure attorney in Columbia, SC will carefully evaluate the details of your case to determine how your asbestos exposure occurred so we can hold the liable party accountable and figure out the best way to recover the compensation and benefits you deserve.
How to Recover Damages After Asbestos Exposure
There are multiple ways you may recover the compensation you deserve after exposure to asbestos. Some of the top options for individuals in situations like yours include filing a claim for worker’s compensation benefits, filing a civil lawsuit, or seeking compensation through an insurance claim.
Your asbestos exposure lawyer in Columbia, SC will need to carefully evaluate the specific details of your case to ensure we are pursuing justice across the appropriate avenues.
Worker’s Comp for Asbestos Exposure
Worker’s compensation is a requirement for every company that has four or more employees in the state of South Carolina. Under this coverage, when you become injured or ill due to the conditions of your work environment, you have the right to compensation for your damages in the form of worker’s compensation benefits.
Many workers have concerns that being a seasonal, temporary, or part-time employee means they will not be eligible. All employees are covered under this insurance program. As long as you can demonstrate that your injuries or illnesses occurred due to the conditions of your work environment, you may have the right to benefits.
Types of Benefits You May Be Eligible For
Some of the different types of benefits that you may be entitled to if you are eligible for workers comp include:
- Disability benefits amounting to approximately 2/3 of your average weekly salary
- Medical benefits are designed to cover every single medical expense as it relates to your mesothelioma or other asbestos-related medical condition
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits if you need to find work in another industry due to the severity of your injuries
- Death benefits to your surviving family members if you pass away due to your asbestos-related medical condition
Generally, until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement, you may be able to continue collecting worker’s compensation benefits for the foreseeable future. However, there may be a maximum amount of benefits that can be paid out based on the type of condition you are dealing with. Additionally, you may only be able to collect these benefits for a maximum amount of time.
You can find out more about how long you could collect workers comp benefits and how much your benefits could be worse when you go over the details of your case with your Columbia asbestos exposure lawyer.
Asbestos Exposure Civil Lawsuits
Another way you may be able to recover compensation for your damages is by filing a civil lawsuit against anyone who contributed to or is responsible for causing your asbestos exposure illness. Your asbestos exposure lawyer will need to carefully review your case details so we can identify these parties.
For example, you may have the right to file a claim against a supervisor who failed to provide your construction team with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) or other safety materials that could have protected you from asbestos exposure. You may also have the right to file a claim if manufacturers failed to ensure their products had sufficient warnings or manufactured defective products that allowed you to become exposed to asbestos.
Your asbestos exposure lawyer’s in-depth investigation will reveal all potentially liable parties so you can increase your opportunities to recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Insurance Claims for Asbestos Exposure
In the vast majority of asbestos exposure cases, the liable party has some type of insurance coverage in place. In filing a claim at the insurance company, you may be able to recover certain types and amounts of damages.
However, getting the insurance company to pay out your claim could be more challenging than you expected. You can get help negotiating with the insurance company and protect yourself from being taken advantage of in your greatest time of need by having your asbestos exposure lawyer negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Your attorney will push back to ensure you are compensated reasonably based on the terms of the insurance policy in question.
Call an Asbestos Exposure Attorney in Columbia for Help Today
When you are suffering from asbestos exposure, you have options. Whether you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits, compensation through an insurance claim or the right to recovery of your damages in court, a dedicated Columbia asbestos exposure attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is here to help.
We will be by your side to help you exercise your rights and guide you through the legal process. Start working on your case as soon as today. Call us or fill out our convenient contact form to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.
