South Carolina Mesothelioma Lawyer
South Carolina has a long history of asbestos exposure from industries that include mining, textiles, construction, and more. If you have an asbestos illness, a qualified South Carolina mesothelioma lawyer can assist you with legal options.
If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in South Carolina, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your highest compensation
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Free Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your highest compensation
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Keep in mind that we offer assistance to residents in all cities and towns in South Carolina, including:
Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, Greenville, Summerville, Sumter, Goose Creek, Hilton Head Island, Florence, Spartanburg, Aiken, Myrtle Beach, Greer, Anderson, Mauldin, Taylors, Greenwood, St. Andrews, North Augusta, Socastee, Easley, Simpsonville, Hanahan, Lexington, Wade, Hampton, Conway, Seven Oaks, West Columbia, Ladson, Five Forks, North Myrtle Beach, Red Hill, Gantt, Clemson, Dentsville, Berea, Orangeburg, Bluffton, Beaufort, Cayce, Gaffney, Fort Mill, Irmo, Port Royal, Parker, James Island, Forest Acres, Newberry, Oak Grove, Woodfield, Little River, Garden City, Laurens, Moncks Corner, Georgetown, Lancaster Lake, Wylie, Sangaree, Bennettsville, Boiling Springs, Clinton, Tega Cay, Red Bank, Seneca, Union, Powdersville, Murrells, Inlet, Fountain Inn, York, Hartsville, Sans Souci, Burton, Lugoff, Camden, Marion, Homeland Park, Lake City, Dillon, Centerville, Welcome, Darlington, Laurel Bay, Cheraw, Valley Falls, Belvedere, Chester, Clearwater, Batesburg-Leesville, Clover, Walterboro, Lake Murray of Richland, Central, Abbeville, Piedmont, Travelers Rest, Hollywood, Edgefield, Barnwell, and more.
South Carolina Asbestos Facts
- Between 1999 and 2017, 3,801 people in South Carolina died from illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.
- Those deaths included 663 from mesothelioma and 512 from asbestosis. The rest were from lung cancer.
- South Carolina ranks in the middle of the 50 states for asbestos deaths.
- Charleston County has had more deaths from asbestos than any other county in the state.
Asbestos in South Carolina Workplaces
One of the primary industries in South Carolina has always been vermiculite processing. Plants in South Carolina received vermiculite shipments from W.R. Grace, a large global chemical and materials company known for mining and supplying other industries with asbestos-tainted vermiculite for years.
The textile industry in South Carolina was also known for its use of asbestos. Raybestos Manhattan, located in the North Charleston area, put workers at risk for years.
Even though the company knew of the dangers of asbestos by the 1970s, it continued to use hazardous minerals for years.
Raybestos Manhattan was only one of the textile companies that put workers at risk. A test was conducted on previous textile workers in South Carolina to determine the rate of asbestos-related diseases that had developed.
At least 18% of the textile workers exposed to asbestos have developed an asbestos-related illness.
Other job sites in South Carolina known to have put workers at risk of asbestos exposure include:
Chemical Companies
- Monsanto Chemical Plant, Anderson
- Stauffer Chemical Plant, Anderson
- Celanese Chemical Plant, Spartanburg
Vermiculite Processing Plants
- Palmetto Vermiculite, Woodruff
- Zonolite (W.R. Grace), Enoree
- Patterson Vermiculite Company, Enoree
- Carolina Vermiculite Mining Division, Enoree
Paper Mills
- West Virginia Pulp & Paper Mill, Charleston
- International Paper Mill, Georgetown
Textile Companies
- Raybestos-Manhattan, Charleston
- Spartan Mill, Spartanburg
- Fiber Industries Textile Plant, Greenville
Schools, Shipyards, and Military
- University of South Carolina, Columbia
- U.S. Navy Mine School, Charleston
- Goose Creek Naval Shipyard, Charleston
- Detyens Shipyard, Charleston
- Fort Jackson, Columbia
- U.S. Naval Receiving Station, Charleston
Power, Gas, and Steam Companies
- South Carolina Power & Light, Charleston
- South Carolina Electric & Gas, Columbia
- Georgetown Powerhouse, Georgetown
The Savannah River Site (SRS)
From 1950 until the mid-1980s, the Dupont Corporation, a company known for its heavy use of asbestos, ran a nuclear materials site known as SRS. The company regularly polluted the air and exposed workers to asbestos.
NIOSH performed a study on 18,883 former employees and contractors who worked at the job site.
The results revealed that the majority of workers were at high risk for or had already developed an asbestos-related disease, specifically pleural mesothelioma.
SRS is still in operation today. However, it’s now run by the Department of Energy and used primarily as an environmental management site. Since removing asbestos from the site, the rate of asbestos-related diseases has decreased.
Recent Wins for Asbestos Victims in South Carolina
When victims suffer harm from asbestos exposure, they can take legal action. Two victims and their families recently won their cases in South Carolina:
- Kathy Lynn Weist received a $32 million verdict from a South Carolina jury for her mesothelioma. She came into contact with asbestos fibers on the clothing of her male relatives. They worked for Kraft Heinz and Metal Masters Inc. The jury agreed those companies were responsible for her exposure and illness.
- In another case, Brenda Jolly won a appeal from the South Carolina Court of Appeals, upholding a $2.87 million jury verdict. Her hsuband died after working for years at Duke Energy replacing gaskets made with asbestos. He passed away before the case concluded.
South Carolina Asbestos Laws
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) regulates state laws and policies regarding asbestos.
Anyone who wants to remove, repair, or tear down a home, building, or facility must follow these policies:
- Write the South Carolina Air Quality Bureau to get permission for asbestos disposal.
- Keep the materials wet at all times until you can dispose of them properly at a landfill that accepts asbestos.
- Burning asbestos-containing materials is strictly forbidden.
- Never throw or drop asbestos-containing materials on the ground.
- If debris lands on the ground, it should be collected immediately and sealed for proper disposal.
- A building must be thoroughly inspected by a qualified Asbestos Building Inspector before any renovations, removals, or demolitions.
- Before removing asbestos from buildings and/or facilities, you must write the DHEC at least 10 days in advance.
For more information regarding asbestos-related laws in South Carolina, contact the DHEC Asbestos Section at 803-896-7665.
Getting Medical Help in South Carolina
Treatment for any other type of asbestos-related disease is extremely important. However, not all physicians and clinics understand the complexities of these types of rare diseases.
Seek out assistance from physicians and clinics backed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and specifically specialize in cancer and asbestos-related diseases.
The Hollings Cancer Center is an NCI-designated hospital that treats all forms of cancer, focusing on mesothelioma and asbestosis. It’s conveniently located at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and has some of the nation’s best researchers, physicians, and cancer investigators. For more information, call the center directly at 843-792-0700.
Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Lawsuits in South Carolina
Along with a strict statute of limitations, South Carolina also has some of the most stringent laws in the nation when it comes to asbestos-related lawsuits.
- The plaintiffs filing an asbestos lawsuit must be able to prove their medical condition with specific, high-level amounts of medical documentation as well as in-depth documentation concerning how, where, and why the asbestos exposure occurred.
- Lawsuits must be filed within three years from the time of an official diagnosis.
- For those filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you must file within three years of the date of the victim’s death.
South Carolina Legal Help and Additional Information
If you’ve been injured by asbestos, there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your highest compensation
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Page Reviewed and Edited by Mesothelioma Attorney Paul Danziger
Paul Danziger grew up in Houston, Texas and earned a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. For over 25 years years he has focused on representing mesothelioma cancer victims and others hurt by asbestos exposure. Paul and his law firm have represented thousands of people diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, recovering significant compensation for injured clients. Every client is extremely important to Paul and he will take every call from clients who want to speak with him. Paul and his law firm handle mesothelioma cases throughout the United States.
- http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/sc/
- http://palmettovermiculite.com/
- http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/sites/health_consultations/pdf/FormerZonoliteStLouisHC081606.pdf
- http://www.detyens.com/
- http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center/muschollings
- https://blog.cvn.com/south-carolina-jury-awards-32m-following-4-day-asbestos-trial
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/appeals-court-upholds-2-87-million-judgment-for-asbestos-victim-in-south-carolina-case-301368540.html