Knoxville, TN Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney in Knoxville, TN

A Knoxville, TN, mesothelioma & asbestos exposure lawyer can help victims and families find out how exposure occurred, hold companies responsible, and recover justice for decades of unnecessary suffering.

The development of Knoxville into an energy, industrial, and construction hub stemmed from manufacturing plants that lined the Tennessee River to power stations that supported the expansion of East Tennessee. Unfortunately, that development came at a cost. For decades, asbestos was a routine part of work in manufacturing, utilities, and construction across the region.

Now, former workers and their families are left dealing with the horrific consequences of that exposure. At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we have been representing industrial workers, veterans, and families across Tennessee for decades who were never warned about the dangers of asbestos. Our lawyers can trace when and where exposure occurred, how it connects to a diagnosis, and fight for financial recovery that can help rebuild stability after an asbestos-related disease.

Hire a Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Founding partners Mona Lisa Wallace and Bill Graham have been fighting for victims of asbestos exposure for nearly 40 years. Their work has uncovered how employers in Tennessee and beyond continued using asbestos insulation, brake linings, and gaskets long after they knew the risks.

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we combine investigative skill, medical understanding, and compassion to help Knoxville-area residents and their families recover financially after life-changing diagnoses, like mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.

Asbestos Exposure in Knoxville’s Industrial and Energy Sectors

Asbestos was widely used in Knoxville’s factories, construction projects, and energy plants for its ability to resist heat. Power plants along the Tennessee River and facilities supporting Oak Ridge’s energy corridor used asbestos to insulate boilers, turbines, and steam lines.

It can take decades for workers exposed to develop symptoms, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 2,669 new mesothelioma cases were diagnosed nationwide in 2022. Tennessee continues to see cases from legacy exposure. Some of the common workplaces with asbestos in East Tennessee include:

• Power generation facilities that used asbestos insulation on pipes, ducts, and turbines
• Manufacturing and paper facilities where asbestos was used in equipment and building materials
• Rail yards and machine shops that used asbestos on brakes, clutches, and gaskets
• Older public buildings and university facilities where asbestos fibers were released during repair and renovation

Secondary Exposure and Family Impact

Asbestos exposure also occurred at home for many Knoxville families when workers unknowingly brought the microscopic fibers home on their clothing and shoes. Car seats, furniture, and household surfaces were contaminated when they came into contact with those fibers, which can cause secondary exposure for spouses and children.

Our firm is familiar with the generational impact asbestos has had on East Tennessee families, and we can help you determine when and how secondhand exposure may have contributed to a diagnosis.

Tennessee’s One-Year Filing Deadline

Victims in Tennessee have one year from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim and one year from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. The clock begins when the person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease or when they first discover facts that would reasonably lead to a diagnosis.

The extremely brief time constraints require immediate action from potential victims to maintain their compensation rights through an attorney from Knoxville. Early legal action gives investigators time to gather employment records, identify asbestos products, and locate witnesses before the evidence is lost.

FAQs

Where Did Asbestos Exposure Happen in Knoxville?

Employees in Knoxville’s industrial plants, power stations, and construction trades could have been exposed to asbestos. It was especially common for workers near boilers, turbines, and air-handling systems during maintenance or demolition of these materials.

Even now, asbestos can be present in older insulation and building products in the area. Renovation or accidental damage to East Tennessee’s aging facilities can release these fibers without proper abatement, putting both workers and residents at risk.

What Are the First Signs of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma usually does not show up until 20 to 60 years after exposure. Chest pain, persistent coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss are typical symptoms of this cancer.

Some cases cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pleural effusion) that leads to additional pain and breathing issues. As these symptoms can be similar to other respiratory illnesses, it is important to tell your doctor about any asbestos exposure history to get appropriate imaging or screening tests.

How Can a Lawyer Prove Asbestos Exposure Decades Later?

Asbestos lawyers will need to trace historical records, product data, and employment documentation to show where and how you were exposed. These locations in Knoxville could include utility companies, manufacturing facilities, and asbestos-contaminated construction projects in the area.

They can also connect with medical professionals to match each diagnosis to exposure evidence. These investigation efforts can result in a clear and compelling claim even after a long latency period.

What Kind of Compensation Can Victims of Mesothelioma Receive?

Mesothelioma victims may be eligible to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs. Family members who lost a loved one to this cancer can also make a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses and financial loss.

Some victims may also be eligible for a payment through asbestos trust funds, depending on the circumstances. A Knoxville mesothelioma attorney can evaluate all possible recovery options based on your situation.

Contact a Knoxville, TN Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Knoxville’s development influenced the state’s future, but not everyone reaped the rewards of progress. Many Tennesseans who helped build that future are now suffering because of corporate negligence and decades of avoidable exposure.

The impacts of asbestos exposure last a lifetime, but when families hire a mesothelioma & asbestos exposure lawyer, they can help victims find financial stability, accountability, and closure for the harm they’ve endured.

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we stand with Knoxville workers, veterans, and families affected by asbestos-related disease. Call a Knoxville mesothelioma & asbestos exposure attorney today to learn more about your case and begin the fight for justice.