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The United States is definitely a country that was built upon the labor of its citizens. Whether you live in beautiful South Carolina or another part of the nation, it is logical to assume that somewhere nearby, you can find active signs of labor or vacant structures that give glimpses of industries that closed their doors long ago. Perhaps you have served on a ship in the U.S. military or worked in a textile mill. The fruits of labor can be seen throughout the nation. Sadly, however, so can the downsides, such as those now suffering from mesothelioma or other illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

You may have experienced symptoms before you received an official diagnosis that mesothelioma, a rare cancer, had taken hold inside your body. You likely were unaware that you had ingested microscopic fibers from asbestos in your workplace. As years passed, those fibers may have developed into the illness that now causes you to cough and suffer from chest pain and other bodily discomfort.

Science has shown that no amount of exposure to asbestos is safe. That’s why there are regulations obligating employers to inform workers of potential hazards when they are aware of them on the job. It is also your employer’s responsibility to provide proper training and equipment to help keep you and co-workers as safe as possible.

It is tragic that many people suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in South Carolina and throughout the nation worked for employers who were well aware of the dangers but failed to fulfill their legal obligations to keep their workers safe. Many of these situations have led to litigation. If you would like to discuss a particular issue with someone well versed in the laws that govern such matters, you can request a consultation with Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC.