North Carolina Boilermaker and Boiler Worker Asbestos Exposure

Did you work as a boilermaker or boiler worker in North Carolina, or do you have a family member who did? If so, you should know about the strong link between malignant mesothelioma and occupational exposure to asbestos for boilermakers. For decades, these workers were frequently exposed to asbestos products and asbestos dust, which have many serious health risks, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Boiler workers exposed to asbestos in the workplace do not have to face the pain, expense, and uncertainty of these serious health problems alone. The attorneys of Ward Black Law are committed to helping boiler workers, boilermakers, and others exposed to asbestos access the compensation they deserve for what they’ve suffered.

We are one of just a few law firms in North Carolina that handle asbestos and mesothelioma cases. We have over 30 years of experience with cases involving asbestos-related diseases, giving us in-depth knowledge and insights we can use for your benefit. Our focus on clear communication and tireless advocacy will make the legal process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for you.

Are you ready to pursue the money you need during this challenging time? Then call us today or complete our contact form for a free case review with an asbestos lawyer in North Carolina.

How Boilermakers and Boiler Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos

Boilermakers and boiler workers have played crucial roles in industries across North Carolina. However, their work also exposed them to severe health risks. One of the most significant dangers was exposure to asbestos, a hazardous material once commonly used for its fire-resistant properties.

Workers were exposed to asbestos in many workplaces, including at power plants, as shipyard workers, in engine rooms aboard ships, while installing new boilers, while performing boiler maintenance, and in boiler rooms at many job sites, for example. Here are some examples of the ways boiler workers may have encountered asbestos on the job:

• Insulation work – Many companies used asbestos in insulation materials for boilers and pipes. Boilermakers and boiler workers handling, cutting, or fitting these materials may have inhaled asbestos fibers released into the air.
• Gasket and seal replacement – Gaskets and seals in older boilers often contained asbestos. Workers tasked with replacing or repairing these components could disturb the asbestos, releasing fibers.
• Equipment maintenance and repair – Even after asbestos began to be phased out as an industrial material due to its known health risks, maintenance or repair workers working on older boilers and other equipment containing the fibers remained at risk of inadvertently inhaling it.
• Working environment – The work environment itself, including older buildings and industrial sites, could have been a source of asbestos exposure. Asbestos used in the construction of these sites could become airborne during renovations or demolitions, putting workers at risk.

Beyond the direct risks they faced on the job, boilermakers and boiler workers may have inadvertently brought asbestos home with them, posing a risk to their families. This type of exposure is called secondary exposure. Here are a few examples of how it can happen:

• Carrying asbestos on clothing and personal items – Asbestos fibers can cling to clothing, hair, and items like tools or lunchboxes. Workers coming home from work could have unknowingly brought these fibers into their homes, where family members might inhale them.
• Laundry – Family members handling or washing the worker’s clothes could disturb the asbestos fibers, releasing them into the home environment. That was especially common before society recognized the dangers of asbestos, and safety practices were less stringent.
• Vehicle interiors – Asbestos fibers can also transfer to the interiors of vehicles used to commute to and from work sites. Family members who rode in the vehicle with them could have been exposed without knowing it.

 Health Risks from Asbestos Exposure for Boilermakers

When inhaled, asbestos fibers can damage the lungs and other organs, leading to diseases that may not appear until decades after exposure. Asbestos exposure in boilermakers can lead to illnesses like the following:

• Mesothelioma – This rare cancer usually affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum) and is exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Symptoms often include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fluid around the lungs.
• Asbestosis – This chronic lung disease results from inhaling asbestos fibers, leading to scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue and increasing the risk of lung cancer. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, and chest tightness.
• Lung cancer – Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially among smokers. Lung cancer from asbestos exposure develops in the lung’s tissues, not the lining, and presents symptoms similar to other lung cancers, including coughing, weight loss, and chest pain.

Other conditions related to asbestos exposure include:

• Pleural effusions (fluid buildup around the lungs)
• Pleural plaques (calcified buildups on the lung lining)
• Laryngeal cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Filing Asbestos Injury Claims or Lawsuits for Boilermakers in North Carolina

If you were exposed to asbestos as a boilermaker or other boiler worker and developed a serious asbestos-related disease as a consequence, you could be entitled to considerable compensation through an asbestos injury lawsuit. An experienced attorney from our law firm can help you with claims related to asbestos exposure for boilermakers.

It’s also vital to file your lawsuit within the proper timeframe. North Carolina law says you have three years from when you knew or reasonably should have known you developed a disease because you were exposed to asbestos to file your suit. If a family member died as a result, the time limit is generally only two years from the date of death. By hiring our attorneys, you can let a professional handle the details of your case while you focus on your medical treatment and spending time with your family.

Maximizing Compensation for Boilermaker Asbestos Claims in North Carolina

There are three main avenues for recovering compensation for mesothelioma and asbestos exposure for boiler workers, and you could potentially recover money from all three:

• Workers’ compensation claim – If you were exposed to asbestos on the job, you can file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer’s insurer. Workers’ compensation claims cover all medical bills related to your illness and can provide other benefits, depending on your situation.
• Asbestos trust fund claims – Many companies that made asbestos-containing products were ordered by bankruptcy courts to set up asbestos trust funds for people who developed asbestos-related illnesses as a result. These trusts still exist even if the companies have entered bankruptcy and gone out of business. If you meet the qualifications, a lawyer can help you file as many asbestos trust claims as are applicable for your case.
• Personal injury lawsuit – You may also have cause for a lawsuit against many different parties responsible for your exposure. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and tell you if you qualify to file litigation.