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Skilled North Carolina Mesothelioma Law Firm For People Harmed By Asbestos

Were you recently diagnosed with cancer related to asbestos exposure? Is a loved one dealing with a disease following a career working in a power plant or shipyard? Do you have questions about mesothelioma? If you suffer from lung disease or lung cancer caused by asbestos, seek legal help from a top North Carolina Mesothelioma law firm in order to obtain the medical treatment and monetary compensation you and your family need.

The Connection Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Researchers have proven that there is a strong link between asbestos and mesothelioma. Long-term asbestos exposure is believed to be the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. It is believed that inhalation of asbestos dust causes irritation in the lungs. This irritation prompts the lungs to begin forming abnormal cells that accumulate and eventually form a tumor. 

Isolated exposures to asbestos are not likely to lead to mesothelioma. Instead, researchers believe that long-term exposure allows the asbestos fiber to build up in the lungs over time, leading to the development of cancer. Some believe that a singular exposure of a certain magnitude could be sufficient to cause the formation of a tumor.

You should contact a North Carolina mesothelioma law firm if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. They can work with you to determine whether you may have a claim for compensation.  

Who is at Risk?

Asbestos was previously used in a wide variety of applications, primarily because of its resistance to heat. It was used widely in many different industries and different products. Its use is far more limited today, and when it is used, it is handled with far greater care. However, people who have worked in the following industries may be at risk for developing mesothelioma: 

• Power plants
• Shipyards
• Construction
• Factory workers
• Insulation
• Plumbing
• Railroad workers
• Automotive

If you have worked in any of these industries and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact a North Carolina mesothelioma law firm to discuss whether you may be entitled to compensation. 

Family members or anyone who lives with people who work with asbestos are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. The people who work with mesothelioma can carry home stray fibers and dust on their skin and clothing, exposing the people they live with. This exposure can build up over the years and eventually result in the development of mesothelioma. 

Our Mesothelioma Law Firm Helps Those Suffering From Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Diseases

At Martin & Jones, our North Carolina asbestos attorneys provide compassionate and skilled assistance to people who suffer from exposure to asbestos.

It is not necessary for you to work directly with asbestos in order to become ill. Simply working near asbestos subjects you to the risk of mesothelioma — a cancer almost always caused by inhaling asbestos fibers — and other related diseases.

Many people who suffer from diseases related to asbestos may not recall when they were exposed to the deadly fibers. Symptoms often do not appear for years after exposure, causing many to overlook the relationship between their work and their diseases.

• Power plant workers: Before the dangers became well-known, many workers were subject to exposure in power plants while working with products containing asbestos.
• Shipyard employees: Until the 1980s, asbestos was used extensively on products used to build ships. The combination of exposure and poor ventilation created a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases among shipyard workers.

Timing Is Critical When Our North Carolina Mesothelioma Law Firm Pursues Your Asbestos-Related Injury Claim

When it comes to asbestos-related injuries such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, timing for seeking compensation is critical. When hiring an asbestos attorney, it is important to find an attorney who knows how to successfully pursue these claims. If that attorney already has the evidence, you may be able to obtain a faster resolution. Having represented many individuals with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases, our North Carolina mesothelioma law firm has already gathered evidence on a number of asbestos exposure sites including those of DuPont and Babcock & Wilcox.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a membrane that lines several cavities within the body, including the lungs. In nearly all cases, it is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers getting lodged in these membranes.

Although asbestos is seldom used in materials anymore, thousands are still diagnosed with mesothelioma every year and millions more are at risk for developing the disease. This is because mesothelioma typically does not develop for 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. 

For individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to obtain skilled legal advice as soon as possible. Our North Carolina mesothelioma law firm has been dedicated to pursuing compensation for asbestos exposure victims and their families for more than three decades. We have the knowledge and resources to help you file your claim quickly so you can maximize your recovery.

The First Step in Your Mesothelioma Lawsuit 

Filing a mesothelioma claim is the first step in the legal process of seeking compensation for your injury. In the claim, the victim (claimant) names the company or business (defendant) at fault for causing their injury and requests compensation. The defendant must respond to the claim within a certain amount of time set by each individual state.

What Types of Claims Will a North Carolina Mesothelioma Law Firm Manage?

There are different types of claims that may be available for mesothelioma patients and/or their family members. You may be eligible for more than one type of claim depending on the circumstances of your particular case. An experienced North Carolina law firm professional is in the best position to advise you on what type of claim is best for your case, but the following is an overview of each type.

Personal Injury Claim for Asbestos Exposure

A personal injury claim is filed by the patient diagnosed with mesothelioma, or a lawyer on their behalf, in state or federal civil court. Because each state’s civil code is different, it is important that your attorneys— like those at the Martin & Jones North Carolina mesothelioma law firm — regularly work with clients all across the country and understand these variances. States have different time limits on when a case can be filed and vary in how they apply laws regarding negligence. Some states have limitations (caps) on settlement amounts.

Wrongful Death Claims May Also Be Pursued By Our North Carolina Mesothelioma Lawyers

A wrongful death claim is usually filed by the loved ones of a victim who passed away from mesothelioma. Family members who typically file a mesothelioma wrongful death claim include the decedent’s spouse and children. Partners, legal heirs, executors specified in a will, adopted children and other dependents might also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These survivors seek damages to compensate them for loss of companionship, loss of financial support, mental anguish and loss of consortium.

What Other Types of Claims Can a Mesothelioma Patient or Family Members File?

Other than personal injury claims, mesothelioma patients, in certain circumstances, can pursue trust fund claims or workers’ compensation claims.

Mesothelioma Trust Fund Claims

Many of the companies that exposed workers to asbestos — manufacturers of asbestos products and builders that used asbestos products, for example — filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying claims to workers they harmed. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy process often requires these companies to create a trust fund to compensate their victims. There are many of these mesothelioma trust funds across the country. It is up to the claimant to identify the proper trust fund to file their claim against, and the lawyers at Martin & Jones can help with that process with their extensive knowledge of the different trust funds available.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

For people exposed to asbestos while working and who later develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, some states have workers’ compensation systems that may provide compensation to them or their family members. The lawyers at our North Carolina mesothelioma law firm are well-versed in the rules for filing and pursuing workers’ compensation claims for asbestos victims.

Types of Mesothelioma and Symptoms

The most common locations of mesothelioma in the body are pleural and peritoneal.

Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura, a membrane that lines the lung and the chest wall outside the lung. Most mesotheliomas are pleural mesothelioma. The next most common type is peritoneal mesothelioma which affects the mesothelium lining the abdomen. Pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining around the heart and is an extremely rare form of cancer.

Individuals with pleural mesothelioma may first notice shortness of breath and some chest pain, although in the early stages there may be no symptoms at all. Symptoms typically get progressively worse, including coughing, fever, fatigue, weight loss and pleural effusions (fluid buildup around the lung).

Individuals with peritoneal mesothelioma may first notice abdominal pain, bloating and swelling accompanied by diarrhea and/or constipation. Symptoms can progress to include fatigue, weight loss, nausea, night sweats and anemia.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Individuals who believe they have been exposed to asbestos should advise their doctors when discussing their symptoms. Typically doctors will initially diagnose mesothelioma using imaging equipment. An x-ray is the first type of imaging that may be used. X-rays are not as detailed as CT scans or MRIs, so they may miss mesotheliomas at their beginning stages. They are most likely to detect buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs, known as a pleural effusion.

Doctors may order a subsequent CT scan, which can look at layers of tissue. Biopsies of tissue are often required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed, doctors may use MRIs or PET-CT scans to detect the progression of the disease and response to chemotherapy.

The American Lung Association has a mesothelioma fact sheet which provides helpful information on diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers

There are several medical centers in North Carolina that have experience in treating mesothelioma. These include:

Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center

2424 Erwin Road, Hock Plaza, Suite 601, Durham, NC 27705 (888) 275-3853

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (919) 966-4431

UNC Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University

Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (336) 716-2008

The National Cancer Institute also provides a listing of all the NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers across the country.

Approachable North Carolina Mesothelioma Law Firm; Compassionate Guidance

Whether or not this is your first time seeking the help of a lawyer, we do not want you to be intimidated by the process. We will manage the details of your claim so you are able to spend valued time with loved ones.

For a free consultation with no obligation, call us toll-free in Raleigh at 800-662-1234 to speak with an attorney or contact us online. Our North Carolina mesothelioma law firm helps families pursue claims against asbestos manufacturers with office locations in Durham and Raleigh.  

Hear it from our clients

“We hired Martin & Jones in March 2015 and Steven Corriveau became our personal lawyer. Steven is a true professional who is understanding and easy to communicate with. He clearly explained the legal process to us. We are confident in the specific information, advice and feedback he gives us and know that he always has our best interest in the case. He responds quickly to our questions and concerns being available 24 hours a day. As our legal journey continues we look at the number of contacts we have with Steven. There have been 52 plus phone calls and conversations, 50 plus emails, 3 plus personal meetings, and 18 plus legal documents. We are honored to have such a caring lawyer as Steven in a stressful situation, in which he makes the process less difficult. We highly recommend Steven Corriveau who is great, intelligent, persistent and will deliver to the client. Our expectations are very high and Steven is the best.” 

- Ronnie & Patricia

“We would like to express our gratitude to you (Hunt Willis) for accepting our case. First of all, when I called this law firm, a very sweet and kind lady answered the telephone and gave me assurance by asking and going over the accident with me, while my husband was in the hospital. I felt assured I was doing the right thing for us. She was so helpful in so many ways. What a professional lady. Secondly, we are much pleased that you have settled this case with the insurance company to receive the proper amount to assist us in so many ways. My husband and I are very happy with you and the firm in handling our case. You made us have confidence in your professional and integrity along with your assistant Ms. Routh, when you both came to see us in our home, in which we saw your compassion and thoughtfulness at that time. We will never forget what you have done for us, and we thank the lord for directing me to contact this firm. I’m glad I did.” 

- Linda

“I would like to leave a testimonial thanking Steven and Allison for their care and understanding. Steven’s pursuit and success in getting some compensation for our loss. A final closure of our loss of brother Mike. Thanks to Martin & Jones for looking after Mike’s care since his injury in 2005. You have been there for Mike and his family for a long time. Mike passed in 2016 and you stood for the family up to the present (July 2017). Many thanks.”

- Dan

“Thank you for always making me feel welcome and at ease in your office. I respect the work you do and your enthusiasm for it and am grateful for your talents.”

- Tracy

“Thank you for the work you have done for Carl and our family. We so much appreciate your sincere professionalism and kindness you showed us. I know Carl is smiling right now and the Lord has blessed us through you. May God bless you.”

- Connie, whose husband Carl worked as a brakeman for CSX Transportation and died of mesothelioma

“Thank you for your concern of my well-being every time I spoke with you. It always meant so much. I hear nothing but awful stories of dealing with attorneys and their offices, but I have had nothing but positive experience. You have many special ways of working with people in need of help. Words can never express the way your support has been so helpful. I pray you will continue to help others. I wish you all the best.”

- Mary

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