Dominion power plants, the shipyards at Norfolk, and various other industrial centers in Virginia have been identified as high-risk workplaces when it comes to asbestos exposure, but firefighters have historically faced some of the greatest risks of occupational illnesses like mesothelioma. If you have been diagnosed with this form of cancer after working as a firefighter, it is crucial to consult a Virginia firefighters’ mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

The Virginia mesothelioma lawyers at Wallace & Graham, PA have years of proven experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. In every case, we take time to carefully review our client’s work history and other evidence to help them prove the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused their mesothelioma. We are confident we can provide unmatched representation for your case.
The American Cancer Society estimates that there are only about 3,000 new mesothelioma diagnoses each year in the US, so this is not a very common form of cancer. However, it is both incurable and terminal, and by the time noticeable symptoms appear, the disease has usually reached an advanced stage. Treatment is expensive and difficult, and ultimately, the patient will need to receive palliative care.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this disease, and it forms in the lungs when asbestos particles are inhaled. Firefighters may be exposed to asbestos when working in burning and collapsing structures, especially in older buildings when structural damage can damage asbestos-containing insulation and other materials. It often takes years or even decades for the symptoms of mesothelioma to become noticeable.
The five-year relative survival rate is only 23% for localized pleural mesothelioma, but this drops to just 11% when it spreads to distant parts of the body. Treatment will focus on preserving life expectancy, mitigating symptoms, and maintaining quality of life, but this treatment is expensive, and the patient may be unable to work after their diagnosis. Eventually, mesothelioma patients will require palliative care.
After receiving your mesothelioma diagnosis, a Virginia firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney can help you determine the most likely source of your mesothelioma and explain your legal options. If you are diagnosed with a work-related illness in Virginia, you are usually able to receive workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. However, you could have alternative legal options available to you.
Many companies that formerly manufactured asbestos products were required to create mesothelioma trust funds, and you could qualify to file a claim depending on how you were exposed to asbestos. Wallace & Graham, PA has also helped many clients in Virginia pursue personal injury claims for toxic exposure against employers, property owners, manufacturers, and other defendants.
You may be able to recover compensation for all economic and non-economic damages related to your mesothelioma diagnosis, but you must hire a firefighters’ mesothelioma lawyer you can trust to help you build your case. The team at Wallace & Graham, PA is ready to help, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Virginia firefighters’ mesothelioma lawyer.