Filing a Claim in North Carolina

North Carolina is not a popular state for filing asbestos lawsuits, but some cases filed in the state have led to multimillion-dollar verdicts. The state has a long history of asbestos and talc mining, which exposed miners to asbestos.

Additionally, North Carolina is home to several large military bases. The U.S. armed forces used asbestos products widely throughout military bases, including bases in North Carolina. Veterans who develop mesothelioma may file a VA claim for benefits, and they have access to VA health care in the state.

If you live in North Carolina and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, a mesothelioma attorney can trace your asbestos exposure and determine your eligibility to file a claim, which may include a personal injury lawsuit, wrongful death lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim.

Keep in mind that North Carolina and other states limit the amount of time you have to file an asbestos lawsuit, which is known as a statute of limitations.

You should not rely on any information herein to make a determination about your legal rights. Please speak to an attorney licensed to practice law in your area to best understand your legal options.

Attorneys Rick Nemeroff, Arthur Luxenberg, Samuel Meirowitz, and Daniel Wasserberg
Find a Mesothelioma Attorney in North Carolina
Get help finding an attorney who knows the process and can get you and your family the compensation you deserve.

Asbestos Exposure in North Carolina

The state’s naturally occurring asbestos is located in the western part of the state near the Appalachian Mountains. Deposits are located in eight counties, and some of them were former asbestos mines.

In Davidson, North Carolina, an asbestos product manufacturing plant operated from the 1930s through the 1960s. And High Point, North Carolina, was home to a vermiculite processing plant that processed asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from Libby, Montana. Operations at these facilities exposed many workers and nearby residents to asbestos.

North Carolina Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure
  • Asbestos mining
  • Talc mining
  • Asbestos product production
  • Military operations
  • Forestry
  • Construction
  • Farming operations
  • Manufacturing
  • Power generation
  • Oil refining
  • Chemical production
  • Teaching

Some of the state’s talc mines were contaminated with asbestos, which led to talc miners developing asbestos-related diseases. In addition to mining operations, many people in North Carolina have been exposed to asbestos at job sites such as military bases, manufacturing plants, power plants and schools.

Law Firms Practicing in North Carolina

North Carolina residents should consider a nationwide mesothelioma law firm because they have handled many different types of cases in states throughout the nation. They have the experience to assess your case and determine the best state in which to file your claim.

Weitz & Luxenberg

Weitz and Luxenburg
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
  • $8.5 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022

Simmons Hanly Conroy

Simmons Hanly Conroy Logo
1 Court Street
Alton, Illinois 62002
  • $8.9 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report

Meirowitz & Wasserberg

meirowitz & wasserberg logo
1040 Sixth Avenue 12B
New York, NY 10018
  • $200 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers

Nemeroff

Nemeroff Law Firm Logo
8226 Douglas Avenue Suite 740
Dallas, TX 75225
  • $500 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a “Hall of Fame” law firm by The Legal 500

Cooney-Conway

Cooney & Conway Logo
120 N Lasalle Street Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60602
  • $7 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a National Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News & World Report in 2022

Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman

Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman
820 Mililani Street Suite 505
Honolulu, HI 96813
  • $600 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • 30+ Years Experience
medical stethoscope icon
By submitting, you agree to our privacy policy and disclaimer. Our Patient Advocates may contact you via phone, email and/or text.

These firms don’t have law offices in North Carolina, but that won’t be a problem if you choose a nationwide firm.

Working with one of the nation’s top mesothelioma law firms can help you get the compensation you deserve. They have a long track record of holding negligent corporations accountable and they can help you secure compensation for your family.

One of the perks of working with a nationwide mesothelioma law firm is that they will come to you. Representatives from the firms travel across the country to meet with clients on a regular basis because they’re aware of the travel limitations mesothelioma imposes on plaintiffs.

According to a 2019 KCIC industry report, approximately 54% of mesothelioma plaintiffs in the U.S. file their claim outside of the state in which they live.

Record Asbestos Verdict Awarded to North Carolina Worker

While this is one of the highest asbestos verdicts ever awarded in North Carolina courts, most mesothelioma lawsuits are settled before going to trial.

  • $32.7 Million in 2018: Ann Finch was awarded $32.7 million by a North Carolina jury for her husband’s death from mesothelioma, which she claimed was caused by exposure to asbestos insulation manufactured by Covil Corp. In 2019, a North Carolina federal judge refused the defendant’s request to overturn the verdict.

Experienced mesothelioma lawyers are known to secure settlements ranging from $1 million to $2 million. Additionally, they can recover six-figure payouts from asbestos trust funds.

It’s important to work with an attorney who is familiar with the legal steps of filing lawsuits and trust fund claims within North Carolina.

North Carolina Asbestos Laws and Regulations

A combination of federal and state laws regulates asbestos throughout North Carolina.

Regulations Governing Asbestos in North Carolina

  • North Carolina General Statutes Section 130A-444: Defines rules for asbestos exposure in public places, permitting for abatement projects and accreditation of abatement professionals.
  • North Carolina General Statutes Section 130A-22(b1)-(b2): Defines the penalties for violating the state’s asbestos laws.
  • North Carolina Administrative Code Section 10A: Defines the rules for asbestos air quality and requirements for asbestos renovation and demolition projects.

Departments Overseeing North Carolina’s Asbestos Laws

  • North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Health Hazards Control Unit: Oversees asbestos abatement projects, accreditation and certification of asbestos abatement professionals and educating the public about the dangers of asbestos exposure.
  • North Carolina Department of Labor: Oversees the risks of asbestos exposure in the workplace.

North Carolina Laws Affecting Asbestos Lawsuits

  • North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 1, Section 1-139: Defines North Carolina’s negligence laws.
  • North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 1, Section 1-52: Defines North Carolina’s statutes of limitations.

Asbestos Litigation Trends in North Carolina

North Carolina lawmakers and state courts have enforced specific rules and procedures to manage asbestos claims.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claim Transparency

North Carolina legislators passed a bill that requires plaintiffs to file their asbestos trust fund claims prior to filing a lawsuit. The law became effective in June 2018. North Carolina is the 15th state to enact this type of law.

Exposure Standard

This standard, often referred to as the “Lohrmann test,” requires mesothelioma plaintiffs to prove that a defendant’s asbestos product was a substantial factor in the causation of their cancer.