Laryngeal Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure in North Carolina

Have you received a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer? Do you have a history of asbestos exposure? Studies indicate a link between asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer.

If you’ve developed cancer due to exposure to dangerous asbestos-containing products, you should not bear the financial consequences of your medical condition. You may have legal options for pursuing compensation to treat your illness, cover your lost income, offset your pain and suffering, and pay other related costs.

With over 30 years of experience, Ward Black Law has been advocating for individuals with asbestos-related claims, serving clients both within and outside of North Carolina. We have assisted over 1,000 people affected by asbestos exposure, from various locations, in securing compensation for their suffering. Our team is committed to leveraging our comprehensive expertise on your behalf.

Contact our office today for a free case review to learn more about your legal options for seeking compensation for asbestos-related laryngeal cancer, no matter where your exposure took place.

What Is Laryngeal Cancer?

Laryngeal cancer occurs when cancer cells begin forming in the tissues of the larynx (the voice box). Cancer cells can grow in any of the three main parts of the larynx: the supraglottis, the glottis, or the subglottis. Laryngeal cancer frequently affects patients with a history of smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. However, studies also link laryngeal cancer to exposure to asbestos fibers or particles.

Common subtypes of laryngeal cancer include:

• Adenocarcinoma – Laryngeal cancer that begins in the mucous glands
• Squamous cell carcinoma – The most common type of laryngeal cancer that begins in the thin, flat cells that line the larynx
• Sarcoma – A rarer form of laryngeal cancer
• Recurrent – A second round of laryngeal cancer that occurs after cancer has gone into remission following a first course of treatment

How Asbestos Causes Laryngeal Cancer in North Carolina

Asbestos exposure can cause laryngeal cancer when dust or particles from asbestos-containing products, such as brake pads, valves, or pipes, spread into the air. A person can inhale or swallow airborne asbestos fibers, causing fibers to become lodged in the tissues making up the larynx.

Fibers can then cause abrasions in the larynx, damaging DNA in cells and triggering the formation of cancerous tumors. Smoking and drinking can also damage or cause inflammation of tissues in the larynx, making it easier for asbestos fibers to lodge in tissues.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Asbestos-Related Throat Cancer

Symptoms of laryngeal cancer frequently do not become noticeable until the cancer reaches an advanced stage. Some of the first symptoms that people with laryngeal cancer may notice include:

• Chronic sore throat
• Chronic coughing
• Recurring ear pain
• Constant bad breath
• Having trouble or experiencing discomfort with swallowing
• Difficult breathing
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Voice changes
• Unusual lumps in the neck
• Unplanned or unexplained weight loss

You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms, particularly if you have a history of exposure to asbestos, smoking, or heavy alcohol consumption.

Doctors can diagnose laryngeal cancer even at an early stage. Diagnostic testing may include:

• Blood and urine tests that look for chemical markers consistent with the presence of cancerous cells
• Radiology scans, including MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans
• Biopsies of suspected cancerous tissues

Early diagnosis of laryngeal cancer can give a patient the best chance of long-term recovery. When cancer reaches more advanced stages, patients usually require more intensive or invasive treatment options, with treatments less effective in eradicating cancer from the patient’s body.

Seeking Compensation for Your Asbestos-Related Laryngeal Cancer

Depending on the circumstances of your asbestos exposure, you may have multiple options for seeking compensation following your laryngeal cancer diagnosis. Our team of laryngeal cancer lawyers at Ward Black Law can pursue all your asbestos claims to recover the maximum compensation available to you from every source.

For example, if you suffered asbestos exposure at work, you may have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim to be compensated for your medical treatment, plus partial reimbursement of lost wages. You may also have the right to file product liability claims against the manufacturers or trust funds set up for bankrupt manufacturers of the products that contained the asbestos to which you were exposed.

In a product liability claim, you can recover compensation for financial and personal losses you suffer due to your cancer, including:

• Costs of medical treatment
• Long-term care expenses if you need home health services or help with daily activities due to disability caused by your cancer or medical treatment
• Lost income if you cannot work while undergoing cancer treatment
• Lost future earning capacity if you develop a permanent disability
• Physical pain and anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life due to physical infirmity
• Reduced life expectancy

Why Hire Our Asbestos Attorneys in North Carolina

If you’ve developed throat cancer due to asbestos exposure, you need experienced legal advocates who will aggressively pursue maximum financial relief and justice for you. At Ward Black Law, our asbestos attorneys have advocated for the rights and interests of clients across North Carolina for over 30 years. Individuals have turned to us for help recovering from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure because:

• Our peers have recognized our attorneys for their ethics and excellence. U.S. News and World Report has named us one of the “Best Law Firms in America” for over a decade. Our lawyers have served in numerous leadership roles in the legal profession, with our founding attorney, Janet Ward Black, having served as president of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Attorneys.
• We take the time to listen to every client’s needs and goals and keep them updated on the progress of their case.
• We use cutting-edge technology throughout our firm’s operations to better communicate with our clients and provide effective legal representation.
• We have the experience and resources to handle complex cases against sophisticated, well-financed corporations. We take pride in helping the Davids of the world take on the Goliaths.
• We get results for our clients. And if we don’t, our clients owe us no fees.