South Carolina Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits

Many industries in South Carolina may have exposed workers to asbestos. Occupational exposure to asbestos is dangerous because inhaling asbestos fibers is linked to the development of asbestosis, mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos is a natural insulator. Because it resists fire, heat and electricity, it was once commonly used in industrial and manufacturing applications. Many industrial products and construction materials were made with asbestos.

By 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had banned most new uses of asbestos because of its dangerous health effects. But workers can still be exposed to asbestos when they work on older buildings or with older materials.

Workers in the following industries may be at risk for South Carolina asbestos exposure:

• Construction: Workers involved in construction, renovations or demolition may be exposed to asbestos through contact with asbestos-containing products. Asbestos was used in many building materials, including insulation, roofing shingles, siding, vinyl flooring, millboards, cement sheets, pipe covering, wall patching compounds and textured paint.
• Manufacturing: Individuals who worked in manufacturing facilities that made products containing asbestos may have sustained occupational exposure. Asbestos was also used in some manufacturing processes, including steel, paper, sand and abrasive manufacturing and oil refining. South Carolina has a history of exposing workers to asbestos in textile plants that used the substance to make fireproof fabrics. A Motley Rice South Carolina asbestos textile plant exposure lawyer may be able to help if you have a claim involving exposure in the textile industry.
• Military occupations: South Carolina is home to several U.S. military bases, including Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base and Joint Base Charleston. Because older military bases were constructed with materials containing asbestos, individuals who lived and worked on them may be at risk for military asbestos exposure.
• Mining: Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in rocks and soil. It was mined in the U.S. until 2002. Asbestos has also been found near talc and vermiculite mines. There are several active and historical vermiculite mines in South Carolina, including mines in Enoree, Travelers Rest and Woodruff. Our South Carolina asbestos exposure lawyers can discuss your legal options if you were exposed to asbestos while working in a vermiculite mine.
• Power generation: Asbestos was used in many materials in power plants, including pipe insulation, boiler insulation and furnace gaskets. A South Carolina asbestos lawyer can tell you more about the exposure risks of working in a power plant.
• Shipbuilding: Materials containing asbestos were commonly used in the shipbuilding industry. In fact, the military required the use of asbestos in the construction of Navy vessels from the early 1940s to the late 1970s. If you worked in a shipyard, a Motley Rice South Carolina shipyard asbestos exposure lawyer can discuss your potential exposure history. We also have South Carolina Navy asbestos lawyers who focus on assisting workers exposed at Naval shipyards.

Job sites linked to South Carolina asbestos exposure

Motley Rice has advocated for thousands of people harmed by asbestos. Our law firm maintains a list of job sites in South Carolina (and across the country) that have been linked to asbestos exposure. Worksites in South Carolina include:

• Bowater Paper – Rock Hill
• Carolina Eastman – Irmo
• Charleston Naval Shipyard
• Chemstrand/Monsanto – Greenwood
• Duke Powerhouse – Seneca
• E.I. DuPont May Plant – Camden
• Hoechst Celanese – Spartanburg
• International Paper Mill – Georgetown
• Santee Cooper Grainger Powerhouse – Conway
• Santee Cooper Jefferies Powerhouse – Moncks Corner
• Savannah River Plant – Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell counties
• South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) – All across the state
• Westvaco/Kraft Mead – North Charleston

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you have a question about the presence of asbestos in a location where you or your loved one worked, ask our asbestos attorneys.

Respiratory diseases linked to asbestos exposure have long latency periods. It could be 10 to 40 years after exposure , or later, before symptoms of asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer develop. If you were exposed to asbestos at work and were later diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible to file a South Carolina asbestos lawsuit. You may also be eligible for asbestos litigation if your loved one died from an asbestos-related disease.

At Motley Rice, South Carolina asbestos litigation is in our roots. We have offices in Mt. Pleasant, just outside of downtown Charleston, and many of our attorneys call South Carolina home. Our asbestos lawyers in South Carolina are familiar with job sites throughout the state and can conduct local investigations. Contact us to discuss your potential claim.

Timeline for filing an asbestos lawsuit in South Carolina

There are deadlines for filing a South Carolina asbestos exposure lawsuit. You have three years from the time you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease to file a personal injury lawsuit. The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is three years after your loved one’s passing.

A Motley Rice South Carolina mesothelioma attorney can help you meet essential deadlines.

Annual medical screenings are recommended for individuals who have been exposed to asbestos. Signs of asbestosis, plural mesothelioma (the most common type of mesothelioma, which affects the lungs) and lung cancer may include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Painful or persistent coughing
• Dry or crackling sounds in the lungs
• Lumps under the skin on the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Unintended weight loss
• Wheezing

Treatment for asbestos-related illnesses may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, your healthcare providers will determine the best treatments for you.

Learning you have cancer is devastating and life-changing. Finding the proper support and treatment can make things easier. In South Carolina, individuals who have been injured by asbestos can find information and learn more about treatment options at the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina.

There are also resources available in nearby states:

• Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH)
• Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)
• University of Virginia Health System (Charlottesville, VA)

The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can provide more information about workplace asbestos exposure. Veterans can also reach out to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The information is intended to assist individuals and families who have been harmed by asbestos. It is not intended as legal advice or to foster an attorney-client relationship.

Other resources for cancer patients

Cancer patients and their families may be able to access help with extended-stay housing, transportation services, and cancer rehabilitation services. Support and advocacy groups are also available. You can find information about additional resources at:

• The American Cancer Society in South Carolina
• The SCOA Cares Foundation
• The South Carolina Cancer Alliance

Motley Rice has a long history of handling asbestos litigation. One of our founding partners, South Carolina native Ron Motley (1944-2013), helped uncover the harmful health effects of asbestos. He also actively held manufacturers responsible for exposing workers. He represented thousands of plaintiffs in asbestos lawsuits and achieved many trial breakthroughs.

Our law firm continues this tradition today. We still represent asbestos victims from across the country and are committed to fighting for individuals, families and communities. Our asbestos lawsuit experience includes the following:

• Asbestos in Canada
• Asbestos-related diseases
• Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)
• Household exposure to asbestos
• Merchant Marine asbestos exposure
• Secondhand asbestos exposure

If you or someone you love suffered occupational asbestos exposure and was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, contact a Motley Rice South Carolina asbestos exposure lawyer. For more information, fill out our online form or call 1.800.768.4026.

Read more about our toxic exposure litigation experience.