North Carolina Mesothelioma Lawyers

How to Find and Choose a North Carolina Mesothelioma Lawyer

North Carolina residents diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek knowledgeable legal support to navigate complex asbestos laws and secure fair compensation. An expert North Carolina attorney investigates your work and exposure history, identifies responsible parties and determines the best state to file your claim. Whether your exposure happened in North Carolina or elsewhere, a skilled lawyer will help you build a strong case tailored to your situation.

Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma have significantly impacted North Carolina. The state ranks No. 9 in the nation for mesothelioma cases and No. 16 for mesothelioma deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Look for firms with extensive regional experience and significant asbestos litigation resources. Local law firm Meirowitz & Wasserberg has recovered millions for North Carolina clients.

Choosing a lawyer with a proven track record in North Carolina asbestos litigation means you can focus on your health while they handle your claim. These attorneys reduce your stress and increase your chance of obtaining compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering connected to your illness.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Helping Clients in North Carolina 

Many national asbestos law firms serve North Carolina residents, bringing extensive resources and trial experience to local cases. Firms like Simmons Hanly Conroy and Weitz & Luxenberg have helped thousands of North Carolinians win compensation. They offer expert investigators, medical experts and legal teams well-versed in multi-district asbestos litigation.

National firms will travel to meet you at no cost to you and they’ll identify the best course forward for you, including assessing the right jurisdiction for filing your claim. This personalized approach makes it easier for you and your family, as your legal team will handle logistics.

Compensation From Asbestos Filings in North Carolina

Some lawsuits filed in North Carolina have led to millions of dollars in mesothelioma compensation. Most asbestos lawsuits end in negotiated settlements before going to trial.

Notable North Carolina Settlements, Verdicts or Trust Fund Payouts

• $32.7 Million: Ann Finch was awarded this trial verdict in her wrongful death lawsuit. Her husband, who died from mesothelioma,  worked with Covil Corp.’s asbestos insulation. In 2019, a North Carolina federal judge refused the defendant’s request to overturn the verdict.
• $9.6 Million: This was the trial verdict in a secondhand asbestos exposure lawsuit awarded to a plaintiff from Monroe, North Carolina.
• $5.4 Million: This amount was awarded to a union electrician in New Bern, North Carolina. 

Nationally, the average settlement amount ranges from $1 million to $2 million. Some asbestos trust funds, which companies that declare bankruptcy may be required to form, pay out 6-figures to claimants. The national average asbestos lawsuit trial verdict was as much as $20.7 million in 2024, according to Mealey’s. Every case is unique. Contact your lawyer to discuss the details that may affect your claim.

How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in North Carolina 

A North Carolina mesothelioma lawyer guides you through each step of filing a claim to secure compensation. They handle the complex legal work so you can focus on your health.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Consult a qualified asbestos lawyer who reviews your medical and work histories.
2. Collect evidence such as medical records, job sites (like the Owens-Corning Fiberglass Charlotte Campus), military service and asbestos exposure details.
3. Determine the best state or jurisdiction to file your claim based on exposure and defendant location.
4. File the lawsuit or trust fund claim before North Carolina’s statute of limitations expires (3 years from diagnosis for personal injury cases, 2 years from death for wrongful death claims).
5. Engage in discovery, exchanging documents and depositions with defendants. Because North Carolina follows strict contributory negligence (meaning even 1% fault bars recovery), thorough documentation during this phase is critical.
6. Negotiate a settlement with asbestos companies or prepare for trial if a settlement isn’t reached.
7. Manage ongoing communications, paperwork and court deadlines until your case concludes.

Your attorney guides your case through North Carolina’s complex legal system. This approach helps maximize compensation and ease your legal burden.

Asbestos Exposure in North Carolina

Asbestos litigation in North Carolina reflects the state’s history of asbestos exposure at mines, power plants, chemical factories, schools, military bases and naturally occurring asbestos deposits. With 3 large military bases in the state, veterans who served in North Carolina may have been exposed to asbestos at their barracks or training facility. Workers at mines, power plants, chemical factories and schools across the state may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. Naturally occurring asbestos is also found in the state’s western portion around the Appalachian Mountain range.

Sites in North Carolina Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Appalachian State University: A former residence hall was demolished after undergoing asbestos abatement in 2014. Winkler Hall was found to have asbestos in the floor tile, ceiling surfacing, joint compound and thermal system insulation. In total, the 10-story building had 104 tons of asbestos-containing materials removed.
• Camp Lejeune: Marines and residents faced extensive asbestos exposure from buildings, vehicles and equipment through the 1980s, with some materials still present on base.
• New Hanover County Correctional Center: Asbestos and lead paint were found during maintenance work in 2019. 
• Owens-Corning Fiberglass Charlotte Campus: The company sold and manufactured various asbestos products between 1953 and 1972. Following thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits, it filed for bankruptcy in 2000. An asbestos trust fund was created in 2006.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: According to a July 2023 report from UNC, 10 residence halls at the university were found to have asbestos-containing materials. The university says the discovery could have exposed more than 2,700 residents to asbestos in the past year.  

Asbestos in public buildings and schools across North Carolina remains a concern. Legacy asbestos remains in many structures built when asbestos was heavily used in construction materials, before being phased out in the 1980s. Renovation, demolition and wear and tear can release dangerous asbestos fibers.

Tests for asbestos and lead began in 2023 at all schools and daycares across North Carolina.The 3-year process started with elementary schools, then tests at schools serving students from lower income brackets before testing at all schools built before 1988. Once the testing of 3,100 schools and 5,700 daycares is complete, results will be posted on a public website. 

North Carolina’s Most Well-Known Exposure Site: Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune, a major Marine Corps base in North Carolina, used asbestos extensively in its buildings, vehicles and equipment until the 1980s. Asbestos was present in construction materials like insulation, flooring and pipes, putting military personnel and residents of on-base housing at risk of exposure. Maintenance and repair work released asbestos fibers into the air, which can cause many serious asbestos-related diseases.

In addition to asbestos in building materials, Camp Lejeune’s water system also contained asbestos-coated pipes and was historically contaminated with toxic chemicals. Despite ongoing asbestos removal efforts, some materials remain on base, continuing to pose health risks. Veterans with mesothelioma who served at Camp Lejeune may be eligible for VA benefits and legal compensation related to asbestos exposure.​

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in North Carolina

Some of North Carolina’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 through various occupations, such as military service, manufacturing and schools.

Companies can also be held responsible for secondhand asbestos exposure in North Carolina. This exposure happens when someone who works with asbestos inadvertently brings home fibers on their hair, clothing or skin. Secondary exposure is just as hazardous as primary exposure. 

Jobs in North Carolina With a Higher Risk of Exposure

• Asbestos mining
• Asbestos product production
• Chemical production
• Construction
• Farming operations
• Firefighting
• Forestry
• Manufacturing
• Military operations
• Oil refining
• Power generation
• Talc mining
• Teaching

Firefighters in North Carolina are particularly vulnerable to legacy asbestos found in older public, commercial, industrial and residential structures across the state. The North Carolina Insurance Commissioner’s office has shared data showing malignant mesothelioma was one of the most prevalent occupational cancers that firefighters reported. 

Legislation passed in July 2024 created a Firefighter’s Health Benefits pilot program, which became the Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Program as of July 1, 2025. The initiative grants permanent financial benefits to firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancers. 

How Your Lawyer Supports You in North Carolina’s Changing Asbestos Litigation 

North Carolina asbestos laws and litigation practices are constantly evolving. Experienced attorneys stay up-to-date on new legislation and court rulings to adapt and protect your claim from changing deadlines and stricter evidence rules. 

North Carolina Senate Bill 470 of 2018 requires mesothelioma patients to file claims with asbestos bankruptcy trusts before going to trial and share that information with defendants. Courts can pause lawsuits until all trust claims are submitted.

Lawyers ensure all filings comply with North Carolina standards and vigorously advocate for you in negotiations or trials. Their constant vigilance allows you to focus on treatment while they work to maximize your compensation despite shifting legal challenges.

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