A mesothelioma diagnosis can be extremely difficult to cope with. Mesothelioma is a life-changing terminal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our law firm offers mesothelioma resources, advice from attorneys, and high-quality legal representation during claims and lawsuits for mesothelioma victims. Our South Carolina mesothelioma attorneys understand what you’re going through and are here to help.
Why Choose Us for This Case?
- We get real results. Our attorneys have obtained over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for asbestos-related cases.
- Our attorneys have experience. Bailey & Glasser, LLP was founded in 1999 and has been helping clients seek justice for mesothelioma and asbestos exposure ever since.
- We are prepared for anything. Clients rely on us to handle even the most challenging legal issues – regionally in South Carolina and nationwide. We can go to trial, if necessary.
How a Mesothelioma Attorney Can Help You
If you aren’t sure whether you need to hire a mesothelioma attorney, consider the many benefits that could come with hiring a law firm for your case. Without an attorney, you may not be fully aware of your legal options or available outlets for financial compensation. Even after you file a claim, you may not understand the true value of your case – meaning you might accept an insurance settlement that devalues your losses and doesn’t give you the compensation that you need.
An attorney will have significant legal experience and knowledge to effectively handle your claim, negotiate with the defendant(s), and represent your best interests in and out of court. An attorney by your side will improve your chances of securing a positive case outcome when results matter most. Your lawyer can investigate your mesothelioma case, search for and gather evidence, hire qualified experts, and take many other steps to build a claim and pursue justice on your behalf.
Mesothelioma Facts and Information
Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium or mesothelial tissues. This is a protective layer of tissue that lines the body’s internal organs and cavities, including the lungs, chest, abdominal cavity, and pelvis. This area of the body can develop cancerous tumors if an individual is exposed to asbestos even once. Asbestos is a silicate mineral that has been connected to cancers and other serious diseases.
When asbestos is introduced into someone’s environment, they may inhale or ingest minuscule asbestos fibers and particles that are in the air. The particles can become lodged in the mesothelial tissues or other areas of the body, such as the lungs or reproductive system. Over time – the average latency period for asbestos-related illnesses ranges from 20 to 60+ years – these particles cause enough irritation, damage and scar tissue to seriously harm the victim. This includes the development of cancer such as mesothelioma.
Can You Treat Mesothelioma?
Treatments are available for mesothelioma patients. However, they are not curative – meaning they are not meant or able to cure this type of cancer. There is no known cure for mesothelioma. Instead, mesothelioma treatments aim to enhance a patient’s quality of life and life expectancy. With the right multimodal treatment plan, a mesothelioma patient may be able to achieve long-term cancer remission.
Potential treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
Available treatments depend on how far the patient’s cancer has spread or metastasized. This is referred to as the stage of cancer. For example, in later stages – such as III and IV – surgery may no longer be an option. This is why it is important to try to catch mesothelioma and other cancers as early as possible.
South Carolina Mesothelioma Statistics
Statistically, mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)found that, from 1999 to 2018, an average of 3,127 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed in the U.S. each year. By contrast, an average of 266,400 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed per year. Mesothelioma is still an aggressive form of cancer that takes thousands of lives annually.
From 2015 to 2019, South Carolina had 252 new cases of mesothelioma and 200 mesothelioma deaths, according to data from the CDC. This made South Carolina 22nd in the country for number of mesothelioma cases in these five years. In 2019 alone, there were 56 new mesothelioma cases and 44 deaths. The vast majority of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma were White, non-Hispanic males.
Below is county-specific mesothelioma data for South Carolina from 2015 to 2019:
| County | Age-Adjusted Rate | New Cases | Deaths | Population |
| Horry County | 1.2 | 32 | 22 | 1,663,236 |
| Greenville County | 0.7 | 22 | 16 | 2,538,617 |
| Spartanburg County | 1.1 | 20 | 17 | 1,539,491 |
| York County | 1.1 | 17 | Data Suppressed | 1,331,114 |
| Beaufort County | 0.9 | 16 | Data Suppressed | 933,072 |
| Charleston County | Data Suppressed | Data Suppressed | 16 | 2,009,617 |
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma in South Carolina?
Asbestos was commonly used as an ingredient in many consumer products and goods before it became regulated in the U.S. This means it is still present in many homes, buildings, workplaces, and environments today. Any structure that was built prior to the 1990s could potentially contain asbestos. Residents and property owners should hire asbestos abatement and removal professionals to inspect premises for the presence of asbestos before touching materials that may be contaminated.
Common asbestos-containing products are:
- Textured paints
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Vinyl sheet adhesives
- Ceiling tiles
- Roofing shingles
- Siding
- Joint compounds
- Cement sheets
- Electrical products
- Appliances such as furnaces
- Fire protection materials
- Brake blocks and friction products
Any type of construction, repair, or renovation project involving an older property could put everyone in the area at risk of asbestos exposure. Those in charge of the premises have a legal responsibility to take steps to protect others – such as evacuating tenants and equipping workers with respirators. Failing to meet this duty of care could make an individual or entity legally responsible (liable) for related cases of mesothelioma.
Consult With a Mesothelioma Attorney | Free Case Consultations
If you were negligently exposed to asbestos at any point in your life, you may be able to hold someone liable for your mesothelioma diagnosis. A free case consultation at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing financial compensation in South Carolina. Our mesothelioma attorneys care about their clients.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you. Call (866) 871-7971 or send us a secure online message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
