Exposure to asbestos can happen in many different industries across the country. Although the majority of victims are in the Northeast, many people have suffered asbestos exposure in South Carolina. This useful but deadly material has been associated with debilitating and deadly diseases.
If you or a loved one in the Lowcountry has suffered illness after working with this substance, you need the services of a qualified Goose Creek asbestos exposure lawyer. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we offer over a decade of background in managing these cases. Our team stands ready to assist you in preparing your claim for compensation. Schedule your free consultation with our Goose Creek personal injury lawyers today to learn more.
Asbestos Is a Slow and Silent Danger
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in manufacturing, construction, and household products for many years. Its fibers provide extremely effective insulation against high temperatures. Common products that were made with asbestos include:
- Automotive brake shoes
- Ceiling materials
- Lab equipment
- Oven mitts
- Floor tiles
- Roofing shingles
- Textile products
The fibers are so fine they can be inhaled and cause physical damage to the mouth, throat, and lungs. Over as many as 30-50 years, exposure can lead to many illnesses specifically linked to asbestos. These diseases include:
- Asbestosis: This illness only occurs in cases of asbestos exposure and causes lung scarring, making breathing very difficult.
- Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure, coupled with smoking tobacco products, can substantially increase your chance of developing lung tumors.
- Various other cancers: Asbestos damages other areas of the body, causing cancer in the larynx, throat, stomach, intestines, rectum, and ovaries.
- Mesothelioma: Although rare, this type of cancer is associated with asbestos and affects the membranes covering the lungs, chest cavity, internal organs, and abdominal cavity.
- Pleural disease: Exposure to asbestos and other factors can cause thickening in the membranes around the lungs. It can also cause them to collect fluid, which reduces a victim’s lung function.
While other factors can play a part in causing most of these illnesses, determining that your sickness is linked to asbestos can strengthen your case against a former employer. A highly skilled Goose Creek asbestos exposure attorney can evaluate your medical history to gather evidence supporting your claim.
Why Choose Shelly Leeke for Your Asbestos Exposure Claim
Many victims of asbestos-related diseases do not recognize that their illness is a result of work they performed long ago. Most individuals are already retired or at the end of their careers when they become sick. This means you may no longer have documentation about your exposure and need help gathering evidence.
This is where an asbestos exposure lawyer in Goose Creek from Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you most. We have a large team of professionals with an extensive background in researching and developing the materials you need. Our staff and attorneys have an excellent track record of success for our clients in all areas of personal injury claims.
We put that same dedication and skill to work finding the materials showing how you were exposed and how your employer is liable for your medical bills and other damages. When you are sick, you do not need the burden of this legal work. Turn it over to our team of lawyers, who will answer your questions and keep you updated as your case proceeds.
What Your Asbestos Exposure Claim Could Be Worth
Once you discover that your illness is caused by exposure to asbestos, you may begin to realize that there are decades of expenses you paid due to someone else’s careless actions or negligence. Identifying which costs stem from your exposure and who is responsible can be complicated and time-consuming.
With a thorough investigation, your asbestos exposure lawyer in Goose Creek can help you calculate a fair and appropriate estimate of all your damages. You can request compensation for economic losses, which are those with a fixed monetary value, and non-economic losses, which are more subjective.
Medical Expenses
When you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you may also be able to connect other diseases you have suffered in your life to the same cause. It is possible to have expenses covering many years and extensive treatment.
You can request financial relief for all your doctor bills, therapy, rehabilitation, and your future care from those responsible for your exposure. Medical costs can run into thousands or millions and usually comprise the majority of your damages request.
Lost Income and Benefits
If you were forced to leave work early or retire before you planned to, you may be eligible for reimbursement for your lost wages and benefits. If your health was severely impacted and prevented you from achieving promotions or bonuses, you could include estimates of your lost earning capacity.
Other losses could include paid time off, vacation days, health insurance, pensions, and retirement funds.
Emotional Losses
Physical illness also causes significant emotional and psychological trauma, and the effects of your pain and suffering must be repaid. Common subjective losses you may experience as a result of an asbestos-related illness include:
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Shock, fear, embarrassment, and isolation
Each case is unique and will be judged on its own merit. While it is not possible to give an estimate of your claim’s value here, you can get a better idea of what your case may be worth when you schedule a meeting with an asbestos exposure attorney in Goose Creek from our firm.
Wrongful Death Claims After an Asbestos Illness
In the most tragic cases, your family may experience further loss if you pass away from your illness. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, your survivors can speak with our team to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking all damages listed above. They can also request compensation for your funeral and burial costs, as well as their own grief and loss after your death.
Hire a Goose Creek Asbestos Exposure Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, your life can be severely affected. You may lose the ability to provide for yourself and your family. When a company or other entity is responsible for your exposure to asbestos, you must seek justice to right the wrong they did.
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina is only three years. Do not wait to learn how a Goose Creek asbestos exposure lawyer can help you file an insurance claim or legal action. We will fight fiercely to secure the compensation you need.
Contact us to schedule a no-risk, no-cost consultation using our convenient online form today.
