Asbestos Lawyer

Asbestos Attorneys Handling Cancer Cases Nationwide

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and later suffered from mesothelioma or another form of cancer, you may be entitled to compensation and an asbestos lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can help. We handle cases in our native North Carolina and nationwide, and can consult with you for free from anywhere by phone, email, text, or video conference. For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced asbestos attorney, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and convenient form below.

There are no upfront costs and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your asbestos lawsuit or claim and you receive compensation for asbestos-related cancer. Call 1-800-525-7111 and let’s review your claim. Our asbestos lawyers are compassionate and know what it takes to hold employers and insurance companies accountable.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is a fibrous substance that can easily break down into tiny particles. These particles can be inhaled or ingested, causing inflammation in the lungs. Inhalation or ingestion of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the thin membrane (“mesothelium”) surrounding the lungs and other organs. Other diseases potentially caused by exposure to asbestos include lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx, sometimes known as throat cancer).

Due to its fire and heat-resistant properties, asbestos was commonly used in the manufacturing of insulation and other industrial materials, including fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, and wallboard. Mining, manufacturing, and handling of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials have placed millions of people at increased risk for mesothelioma and other cancers.

While there is no nationwide ban on asbestos in the United States, the health risks associated with the substance led to most industries cutting back on its use in the 1970s. Today, asbestos is still used in certain industries in the United States, but it is increasingly uncommon. Asbestos is often present in the insulation of older homes and buildings in the United States.

What Cancers are Caused by Asbestos Exposure?

Exposure to asbestos can place individuals at higher risk of developing cancer, including:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Laryngeal cancer (also called throat cancer)

Mesothelioma is the cancer most commonly linked to asbestos exposure. There are two types of mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining of the lungs; and peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs in the abdomen. Mesothelioma is a relatively rare disease, with an estimated 3,ooo to 4,000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States.

Mesothelioma is an extremely deadly form of cancer. Many patients with mesothelioma die within four to six months of diagnosis, and most die within 12 months. Mesothelioma survival rate may be improved with treatments, but there is no known cure and long-term survival is rare. 

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of mesothelioma vary based on the type and location of the cancer.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms may include:

• Pain in the lower back or side of chest
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the arms and/or face
• Lumps in the chest area
• Hoarseness
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weakness

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may include:

• Pain in the abdomen (belly)
• Swelling or fluid in the abdomen
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Unintended weight loss
• Constipation
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weakness

IMPORTANT: If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms of mesothelioma listed above, consult with your doctor immediately.

“Do I Qualify for an Asbestos Claim or Lawsuit?”

You may qualify for an asbestos claim or lawsuit if you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos and later developed mesothelioma or another form of qualifying cancer. Many workers were needlessly put at increased risk of mesothelioma and other cancers due to asbestos exposure while on the job. In some cases, manufacturers and/or employers ignored the known health risks associated with asbestos, and/or failed to provide proper personal protective equipment to those exposed to the dangerous substance.

How Does an Asbestos Claim Work?

Depending on the situation, there are multiple options for seeking compensation for asbestos-related mesothelioma or other injury. An asbestos lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can help you seek compensation in an asbestos claim by:

• Filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit
• Submitting a claim against an asbestos bankruptcy trust

Many companies that exposed workers to asbestos ultimately filed for bankruptcy after facing litigation. These bankruptcies often resulted in the formation of trusts that pay out compensation for victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers. An asbestos lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can help evaluate your claim and determine if a personal injury claim, wrongful death claim, or claim against an asbestos trust fund would be most appropriate and effective at getting you the compensation you deserve.

“Will My Case Go to Trial?”

Probably not. Roughly 90 percent (or more) of mesothelioma claims related to asbestos exposure result in a settlement prior to going to trial. Nevertheless, filing a lawsuit and proceeding to trial is sometimes necessary to recover the compensation our clients deserve, and we don’t hesitate to go to trial if our clients don’t receive a fair settlement offer.

“How Long Do I Have to File an Asbestos Claim?”

The statute of limitations for asbestos claims (the deadline by which you must file a claim or lawsuit) varies based on the state in which you live. In most cases, the statute of limitations for a personal injury or wrongful death claim related to asbestos is 2-3 years from the date of diagnosis or death, but there are exceptions. An asbestos attorney can help determine the statute of limitations in your case and make sure that you don’t miss any important deadlines.

If you think you or a loved one may qualify for an asbestos lawsuit or claim, don’t wait. Call 1-800-525-7111 to speak with an experienced asbestos lawyer today.

Who is Most at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

The use of asbestos in industrial products in the United States was widespread prior to the 1970s when the dangers of exposure became well-established. As a result, millions of people may have been exposed to asbestos and be at higher risk of developing mesothelioma and other cancers. It’s important to note that mesothelioma often takes several decades to develop after asbestos exposure, and the diagnosis is more common in older men and women.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, roughly 70 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos.

Workers who are most at risk for asbestos exposure include:

• Insulation manufacturers and installers
• Roofers
• Tilers
• Asbestos miners
• Factory workers
• Railroad and shipyard workers
• Construction workers
• Remodelers
• Plumbers
• Gas mask manufacturers

While the risk of occupational exposure to asbestos is lower today than it was several decades ago, workers (and their employers) must still take proper precautions. In particular, asbestos is present in many older homes, as it was a common component in insulation, roofing, and tiles.

Men are at higher risk for asbestos-related mesothelioma than women, being diagnosed at a roughly 3:1 ratio.

If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos on the job and later developed mesothelioma or another form of qualifying cancer, you may be entitled to compensation in an asbestos lawsuit or claim. We are ready to help however we can. Please call 1-800-525-7111 and let an experienced asbestos attorney at Riddle & Brantley review your claim. The consultation is free, and we don’t get paid unless you do. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you won’t pay any attorney fees.

Do You Have an Asbestos Claim?

If you’ve suffered from mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, or laryngeal cancer after exposure to asbestos, you may qualify for an asbestos cancer claim, and the experienced asbestos lawyers at Riddle & Brantley can help. We will review your claim for free and advise you on your best available legal options for seeking compensation. There is no obligation, and we don’t get paid unless you do — if we don’t recover financial compensation for you in your asbestos lawsuits or claim, you won’t pay any attorney fees. It’s as simple as that.

You don’t have to hire an attorney to help with your asbestos lawsuit or claim, but these cases can be extremely complicated, time-consuming, and stressful. Research has also shown that those who hire an attorney for their personal injury case receive roughly 3 times more compensation on average than those who represent themselves.

An asbestos attorney at Riddle & Brantley can handle all aspects of your claim, including but not limited to:

• Collecting evidence, including medical records
• Interviewing witnesses
• Calculating damages (including financial damages and non-economic damages like pain and suffering)
• Hiring experts to develop comprehensive life care plans
• Filing a claim (or lawsuit if necessary)
• Negotiating with defense counsel and/or the insurance company
• Conducting depositions
• Representing you in arbitration / mediation proceedings
• Drafting and filing legal briefs and other court documents
• Representing you at trial
• Setting up trusts

“They turned a heartbreaking situation completely around.”

–Tonya T., Riddle & Brantley client

Award-Winning Trial Attorneys Handling Asbestos Cases

At Riddle & Brantley, our asbestos attorneys have handled thousands of injury cases, securing over $665 million in compensation for our clients since 2000 alone (see disclaimer below). Along the way, we’ve been recognized with many prestigious awards and memberships (see disclaimer below), including:

• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
• The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
• The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• Super Lawyers
• Super Lawyers “Rising Stars”
• AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
• The Litigator Award

In one recent case, we secured $850,000 for a railroad worker who died of mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos while on the job (see disclaimer below). Led by attorney Gene Riddle, we filed lawsuits against the railroad company and its insurer, securing settlements prior to trial. Our mesothelioma lawyers know how to hold employers and their insurance companies accountable, and don’t hesitate to take cases to trial when our clients do not receive a fair settlement offer.

For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced trial attorney handling asbestos claims and lawsuits, please call 1-800-525-7111 or fill out the easy and convenient form below. There are no upfront costs and you won’t pay a dime in attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you in your asbestos cancer claim.

What Our Clients Are Saying

More than our settlements and verdicts, however, we’re especially proud of the way our clients talk about their experience working with our asbestos attorneys, case managers, investigators, and support staff:

“You’ll walk in the front door as a client but leave as family. They’re the absolute best.”

–Susan S., Riddle & Brantley client

• “Riddle & Brantley handled my case very professionally, with respect from beginning to end.” -Joseph P.
• “Riddle & Brantley found all the available money from the insurance companies.” -David H.
• “I would recommend them to anyone. They fought hard for me.” -Christine W.
• “This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.” -Linda B.
• “You all have been a blessing in my life and I feel like a family member.” -Jacqueline P.

Talk with an Asbestos Lawyer for Free Today

If you believe that you or a loved one suffered from mesothelioma or another cancer due to exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation, and we would love to help however we can. For a FREE consultation with an experienced asbestos attorney serving clients nationwide, please call 1-800-525-7111, and let’s review your claim. Don’t wait — the longer you wait, the harder it may be to prove your claim and the longer it may take to get and your loved ones the compensation you deserve.

We believe Justice Counts for victims of asbestos exposure and we are ready to help however we can. Call 1-800-525-7111 or fill out the short and convenient form below. Let’s talk.

 

---

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.

*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers “Rising Star” designation, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent designation by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.