Chattanooga Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney in Chattanooga, TN

Industrial facilities across Chattanooga have used asbestos in their factories, power plants, and construction projects for decades without warning the workers or surrounding residents about these hazards. Decades after these materials were used, people are still being harmed by them. A Chattanooga, TN, mesothelioma and asbestos exposure lawyer can help identify where you were exposed and who used the materials, and fight to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Whether your diagnosis resulted from a job site, home renovation, or secondary exposure, Wallace & Graham, P.A., is here to help you explore your legal options and pursue justice.

Hire a Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., founding attorneys Mona Lisa Wallace and Bill Graham have represented victims of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma for over 30 years. The firm’s investigative work has proven that manufacturers of asbestos products were aware of the risks of their products without providing adequate warnings to users.

We use our understanding of medical research, company industrial records, and legal experience to help victims of mesothelioma in Chattanooga create strong evidence-based claims and receive the justice and financial support their families need.

Where Asbestos Exposure Happened in Chattanooga

The long industrial history of Chattanooga has resulted in many points of potential exposure to asbestos. Power plants, manufacturing facilities, and chemical plants used asbestos heavily for its heat control and insulating properties. Workers at these sites, such as those at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and DuPont, faced some of the highest risks of asbestos exposure.

Even people who did not work in industrial sites could be exposed through the air, old materials in construction, or laundry brought home by a family member who worked in these environments. People who were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during these incidents are now developing mesothelioma as a result.

Common Jobs Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Industrial production, manufacturing, and the skilled trades comprised much of Chattanooga’s economy. Many workers in these trades and industries were not aware that the products that were keeping their factories and machinery operational were simultaneously causing a silent and deadly health hazard.

Exposure was not limited to these industries, as even those in non-industrial jobs could be exposed to secondhand asbestos from the clothing of a spouse or family member who did work in one of these trades. Occupations at highest risk include:

• Pipefitters and Boilermakers
• Electricians
• Plumbers and HVAC
• Construction
• Auto and Brake Mechanics
• Teachers and Custodial Employees

It can be important for victims to recognize which occupations were at risk to help piece together where exposure could have occurred and the companies that are potentially responsible.

Understanding the Health Impact of Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos can result in a number of severe and often fatal illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. These conditions often take years, if not decades, to develop, and symptoms can appear 20–60 years after first exposure.

Common symptoms of mesothelioma, for example, include shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Anyone who worked in industrial, manufacturing, or construction jobs or frequently worked in or around older buildings in Chattanooga should notify their doctor of any possible exposure to asbestos.

Early detection of these conditions can help increase treatment options and also assist in providing evidence for a legal claim, as symptoms can be connected directly to specific places and products that contain asbestos.

The Ongoing Presence of Asbestos in Chattanooga

Even though the use of asbestos in Chattanooga was curtailed in the late 1970s and 1980s, asbestos can still be present in many older buildings, and it is a major risk in many Chattanooga workplaces as well, such as in renovations and demolitions.

Even residents living near older industrial areas have been the subject of environmental monitoring due to historic asbestos disposal in those areas. Awareness of continued risks associated with asbestos can help families better understand the need for immediate action if exposure is suspected, even today, such as during a home repair or neighborhood redevelopment project.

FAQs

Where Were People in Chattanooga Most Likely Exposed to Asbestos?

Jobs at power plants and industrial facilities are a common source of asbestos exposure in Chattanooga. For years, manufacturing sites and factories in Tennessee lined the Tennessee River.

Facilities such as TVA plants, DuPont Chemical, and local construction projects used asbestos-containing materials for insulation and equipment. The products and facilities still exist in the Chattanooga area today, leaving workers and residents at risk of exposure for years.

How Common Is Mesothelioma in the United States?

The CDC reported approximately 2,669 new cases of mesothelioma in the United States in 2022. Exposure typically occurred decades earlier among manufacturing, construction, and shipyard workers.

The disease has a long latency period, or time between exposure and diagnosis, of 20 to 60 years. This is why people are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposure in the 20th century.

What Are the Early Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Illnesses?

The first symptoms of mesothelioma are often mistaken for another respiratory illness. In the early stages, people may notice tightness in the chest, coughing, or shortness of breath that gradually gets worse. Unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, or weight loss may also occur.

Asbestos fibers can stay in the lungs for decades without causing symptoms, so it is important for Chattanooga residents to let their doctor know about any history of industrial or construction work.

How Do Attorneys Prove Where Asbestos Exposure Happened?

Evidence of asbestos exposure comes from a thorough investigation of the products someone worked around and their job site history. Attorneys review employment records, job sites, and product manufacturers to find a link to asbestos exposure.

In Chattanooga, this could include job site materials from TVA plants, construction companies, or chemical facilities that have a history of asbestos-containing products. Identifying and proving this connection is the most important aspect of a mesothelioma claim.

Contact a Chattanooga Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Years after Chattanooga’s rise to a manufacturing center, families are still experiencing the impact of asbestos exposure. Workers who built this city and its power infrastructure deserve compensation for the injuries and damages caused by these defective materials.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., has more than 30 years of experience helping mesothelioma victims across the country. Hire a mesothelioma and asbestos exposure lawyer in Chattanooga by scheduling a consultation today.