No one ever expects to suddenly or over time become significantly ill. Unfortunately, many individuals working in the construction industry and other similar fields find themselves dealing with severe occupational illnesses, including mesothelioma. If another party’s negligence contributed to your medical condition, you may have the right to compensation for your suffering and damages.
A dedicated Forest Acres Terrace asbestos exposure lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you figure out what your next steps should be. When you have a Forest Acres personal injury attorney working on your case, you can rest easier knowing our team is working diligently to determine who should be held accountable for your losses and how to make them pay. Contact our firm for a free consultation today to discuss the cause of your asbestos exposure, potentially liable parties, and options for recovering maximum compensation.
The Impact of Asbestos Exposure
Being exposed to asbestos can have a devastating impact on the victim’s lives. Many individuals dealing with asbestos exposure due to their line of work are often diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions, including mesothelioma, respiratory conditions, and certain types of cancers. However, it is not only construction workers that are at risk for being exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos was regularly used in home builds through the 1970s. This means homes built before 1980 are likely to have asbestos in them. If not properly contained, homeowners, renters, and families living in them may be at an increased risk of exposure. When you are diagnosed with a severe medical condition related to asbestos exposure, your physical health may rapidly deteriorate, and you may not be able to continue working, earning a living, or supporting your family.
Furthermore, depending on the severity of your medical condition, you may struggle to complete daily living activities and require the assistance of a home health aide. Not to mention the fact that your medical condition will likely be expensive to treat, as the cost of healthcare within Forest Acres Terrace, the state of South Carolina, and the entire country is astronomically high. Fortunately, when you have been exposed to asbestos, you may have the right to compensation for your losses and be able to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Common Causes of Asbestos Exposure
Although asbestos exposure is most common in residential homes, for many years, building materials contained asbestos, which means many commercial buildings, military operations, and even schools may contain asbestos. When people are exposed to asbestos through ingestion or inhaling airborne fibers, they are more likely to develop serious medical and health problems.
These days, most people are exposed to asbestos when renovations on these properties occur, sending the asbestos into the air. For this reason, anyone conducting renovations on properties built before 1980-1989 should be testing materials for asbestos prior to beginning renovations. They should also be providing construction workers and other relevant parties the safety gear needed to protect themselves from asbestos exposure.
What to Do if You Are Exposed to Asbestos
If you believe your health has declined due to exposure to asbestos, you may be wondering what your options are and what to do next. The most important thing is to get medical help. You need to start the treatment protocol needed to get your health condition under control so you can heal and regain as much of your strength and functionality as possible.
In the meantime, it is imperative that you begin collecting as much evidence as is readily available and meeting with prospective Forest Acres Terrace asbestos exposure attorneys. Having an asbestos exposure lawyer in Forest Acres Terrace, SC working for you opens up opportunities that may not have otherwise been easily accessed.
While you focus on your treatment and rebuilding your life, your asbestos exposure attorney can obtain valuable evidence that can be used to prove the defendant’s liability for your medical condition and damages.
How to Recover Compensation After Asbestos Exposure in Forest Acres Terrace
In dealing with the fallout of your exposure to asbestos, figuring out how you are going to recover the compensation you are entitled to may be confusing. Thankfully, your asbestos exposure lawyer understands which legal options are available in cases similar to yours. Here are some of the most common ways victims and their families can demand justice:
File an Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit
Filing an asbestos exposure lawsuit may be your best option if someone else’s negligent actions are the cause of your medical condition. For example, if you are a tenant renting from a home that was contaminated with asbestos, and your landlord failed to disclose this prior to signing your lease agreement, you may have grounds for legal action against them.
Before going to court, you may be able to file a homeowner’s insurance claim and recover certain types and amounts of damages. However, insurance is unlikely to cover these losses in full. When you go to trial, you can also seek compensation for every other economic and non-economic loss, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Reduce earning potential
- Diminished quality of life
- Every healthcare cost
- Future medical expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Personal property losses
File a Claim for Worker’s Compensation
If you were exposed to asbestos while on the job, you may have the right to collect worker’s compensation benefits while you are out of work and unable to earn a living. South Carolina worker’s compensation laws allow you to receive reimbursement for medical bills, obtain a portion of your lost wages, and secure vocational rehabilitation benefits if you will no longer be able to continue in your current line of work due to the extent of your injuries.
Your personal injury attorney can carefully examine the specific circumstances of your case to determine whether you should move forward with a claim for worker’s compensation, file a claim with the insurance company, or pursue a civil lawsuit against those responsible.
Contact a Reputable Asbestos Exposure Attorney in Forest Acres Terrace, SC Today
Being exposed to asbestos could result in lifelong medical issues. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, other types of cancer, or any other occupational illness that correlates with asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.
An experienced Forest Acres Terrace asbestos exposure lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is here to help you demand complete repayment for your damages. When you are ready to take back control of your life, do not hesitate. Connect with a dedicated attorney at our firm as soon as today by calling our office or completing our convenient contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
