Related Topics ► Other TopicsSouth Carolina (SC) Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
South Carolina is one of the states hardest hit by the problems cause by asbestos. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health concerns associated with asbestos have killed many residents of South Carolina and will continue to wreak havoc in the lives of millions across the nation. South Carolina was instrumental in the mining, manufacturing, and use of asbestos due to its natural deposits and shipping industry. If you've experienced medical problems due to asbestos exposure in South Carolina, talk to a lawyer in your area right away to learn more about your legal rights.
At-Risk Occupations and Locations in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to a number of industries that used asbestos on a daily basis. One of the largest industries contributing to asbestos problems in this state is the shipping industry. In the early 1900s, fires aboard ships became a major concern for captains along the east coast. Asbestos was a way to minimize this risk. Although dangerous for the body, asbestos is flexible, durable, lightweight, and heat-resistant. Therefore, it was a great building material for those building ships, as it could hold up to the water but still be safe in terms of fire. Some of the shipyards/shipbuilding companies that used asbestos include Carolina Shipping Company, Charleston Navy Yard, and Detyen Shipyards, Inc.
There are also a number of power plants in South Carolina, and companies like Catawba Nuclear Power and Oconee Nuclear Power. Because fire at a power can be a disaster, it is important that heat-resistant materials be used. Asbestos was mainly used in power plants for insulation to boilers and other machinery, although it was also found in gaskets, building materials, and even clothing. This cut down on the risk of fire in these power plants, but at the same time, as the machinery wears down, as all machinery does from normal usage, the asbestos particles fill the air once again, putting power plant employees at risk.
Asbestos is a natural substance mined from a number of locations in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Although most of the asbestos used in the United State was shipped in from other countries, some was mined within this country as well. South Carolina is one of the states that had asbestos mines. These deposits of asbestos are of the chrysotile variety. Also known as white asbestos, this is the asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing. It is the safest type of asbestos, but it is still by no means safe to be around. Deposits of asbestos in South Carolina are found in the Foothills, along the eastern slope of the Appalachian Mountains, and in the south, along the border with Georgia.
Asbestos-related Deaths in South Carolina
Asbestos has cause a number of deaths in the United States, and asbestos exposure in South Carolina has been especially dangerous. Between 1980 (when the EPA began to regulate the use of asbestos) and 2000, there were 634 recorded deaths due to asbestos exposure in South Carolina. Some of these were from mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, while others were from asbestosis, a condition that makes it impossible to breath. The industrial cities in South Carolina, like Charleston, were those hardest hit by asbestos-related deaths.
Legal Resources for South Carolina Residents
South Carolina, because of its many asbestos-related industries, has seen its fair share of court battles over personal injury cases and wrongful death cases. These lawsuits have been both job-related and building-related. For example, in 1995, Janet Murphy sued Owns-Corning Fiberglas Corp because she developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos carried home on her father's clothing and in his hair. In another key case, The Kershaw County Board of Education sued U.S. Gypsum Co., a company that used asbestos in the plaster used to build gyms in the school district. As you can see, asbestos has touched the lives of many people from many walks of life.
If you want to file a claim against a company that used asbestos, contact a lawyer today. There are certain statute of limitations laws that must be upheld in these cases. Normally, a statute of limitations regulation would prevent you from suing decades after your initial exposure to a substance. However, in the case of asbestos, it was hidden from people that asbestos causes health problems. In many cases, people didn't even know that they were being exposed to asbestos at all. So, in the case of asbestos court statute of limitations limited, the clock starts ticking when the asbestos-related health problem is discovered. You have three years to file your claim. If a loved one has passed away quickly from asbestosis, mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness, you can also file a wrongful death lawsuit in that three year time period.
Talking to a lawyer is important. As soon as possible, take the time to learn about your legal rights regarding asbestos exposure in South Carolina.
State Index
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