Contact an experienced Richmond mesothelioma lawyer to learn about your legal options if you received a mesothelioma diagnosis. Richmond is the capital of Virginia and home to the first factories to use cigarette-rolling machines. The city had several workplaces that used asbestos and exposed workers for decades.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, awaiting victims of asbestos diseases and their loved ones. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in Richmond, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Richmond, Virginia, Asbestos Facts
- The Richmond area experienced nearly 70 deaths from asbestos-related illnesses between 1999 and 2017.
- Cigarette factories in Richmond used asbestos throughout their facilities and exposed workers.
- The Richmond Public Schools continue to struggle with asbestos in older buildings.
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is aggressive and deadly. Asbestos is a natural material that sheds fibers that can easily be inhaled or ingested without protective equipment.
When inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers cause inflammation and damage to tissue and cells. Some people will develop cancer or other illnesses decades later because of the damage caused by asbestos fibers. In most people, by the time symptoms of mesothelioma appear, the disease has progressed to later stages.
Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue around the lungs. This type, known as pleural mesothelioma, causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pains.
A less common form, peritoneal mesothelioma, results from ingested fibers and affects the abdomen. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer and a non-malignant disease called asbestosis.
Should I Talk to a Richmond Mesothelioma Lawyer?
In Richmond, as in many other places in the U.S., the leading cause of mesothelioma is negligent workplace asbestos exposure. If you have mesothelioma, you have a legal right to take action against the asbestos companies responsible.
You need a top Richmond mesothelioma lawyer to help you take legal action and have a good chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
Get a Free Legal Consultation Today
Mesothelioma is aggressive, and your time to take action is limited. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a Richmond area asbestos attorney. Reputable asbestos law firms offer free initial consultations.
During this meeting, they will review your situation and determine if you have a case to seek compensation. There is no cost and no obligation to hire the firm.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit or Claim in Richmond
If a lawyer thinks you have a case against asbestos companies, they will explain your legal options. Your options could include one or more of the following:
- Mesothelioma Personal Injury Lawsuit. Mesothelioma is often considered a personal injury because it is caused by negligent asbestos exposure. You can sue the asbestos companies to seek a settlement or jury verdict and award.
- Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit. You can also sue asbestos companies for the wrongful death of a loved one.
- Asbestos Trust Fund Claim. Many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy after facing so many lawsuits. These companies set up trust funds to compensate future claimants. You might qualify for one of these.
- VA Benefits Claim. Veterans have high rates of asbestos illnesses. If you encountered asbestos during military service, you could qualify for VA benefits.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Richmond, VA?
Richmond, Virginia, is home to many workplaces and industries that used asbestos in past years. If you have mesothelioma now, you were probably exposed to asbestos at a Richmond job site decades ago.
Tobacco and Asbestos
Philip Morris and other tobacco companies helped Richmond recover from the effects of the Great Depression with jobs in cigarette factories.
After World War II, Richmond’s economy continued to expand. Cigarette production reached a local peak of 110 billion a year in 1952.
Industrial factories, including those that made cigarettes, used asbestos in many components. Machinery, equipment, protective gear, and insulation contained asbestos and put factory workers at risk.
Other Richmond Industries That Used Asbestos
Cigarette production was just one of Richmond’s important industries that used asbestos. The city was home to factories that made weapons for the war effort.
Energy companies also grew as the city developed, and these also used asbestos.
As the population of Richmond expanded, construction increased. Both public and private buildings constructed post-war used asbestos in insulation, tiles, siding, roofing materials, wallboard, and much more.
Workers in these industries were put at risk of asbestos exposure, as were residents. Many of the older buildings in Richmond still contain asbestos and pose risks to many.
Richmond Job Sites with Known Asbestos
Since asbestos materials were used in Richmond for many years, there are still job sites in the area where asbestos exposure occurred. Some of these job sites include:
- Albemarle Paper Company
- American Cigar Company
- British American Tobacco
- Federal Reserve Bank
- Tredegar Iron Works
- Caraustar-Richmond Paperboard Corporation
- Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company
- Harris Electric Company
- Richmond Greyhound Bus Terminal
- Richmond International Airport
- Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad
- U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (formerly U.S. Tobacco Company)
Ongoing Asbestos Risk in Richmond Public Schools
Asbestos was much more of a risk to public health in the past, but it still lingers in older buildings. This asbestos can deteriorate or be disturbed during repairs and renovations, contributing to an ongoing risk.
Some of those older buildings with asbestos belong to the Richmond Public Schools. The district is struggling to keep up with deteriorating older buildings, and it’s putting staff and students at risk of asbestos exposure.
Most recently, the district began construction on a new George Mason Elementary School on the site of the original school. The plans came to a halt, though, as the city realized that demolishing the old building posed many risks due to asbestos.
National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers in Virginia
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College Street, Richmond, VA 23298, (804) 828-0450
- UVA Cancer Center, University of Virginia, 6171 West Complex, Charlottesville, VA 22908, (434) 924-5022
Getting Legal Help
Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, there is a good chance you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you have questions or need assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
