Nashville, TN Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney in Nashville, TN

While Nashville gained recognition as a music hub, its foundations were also laid by dedicated workers from the construction, manufacturing, and power industries. Long after Nashville’s skyline transformed, those who worked in trades exposed to asbestos have been left with the health effects of exposure. A Nashville, TN, mesothelioma & asbestos exposure lawyer can help people who find themselves in such an unfortunate predicament.

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we help those workers and their families piece together where and how exposure happened, link it to a diagnosis, and seek justice for decades of entirely preventable harm.

Hire a Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Attorneys Mona Lisa Wallace and Bill Graham have spent over 30 years helping people whose health and well-being were deemed secondary to industrial profit at Wallace & Graham, P.A.

In Nashville, their work has revealed how building companies, manufacturers, and public facilities continued to use asbestos materials long after the public was aware of the dangers and safer alternatives were available. The firm is equally dedicated to helping Tennessee families rebuild their stability outside the courtroom after a life-changing diagnosis.

​​Asbestos in Nashville’s Older Buildings and Infrastructure

Schools, hospitals, and many downtown buildings were constructed before asbestos bans were in place. Even renovations in neighborhoods like Germantown, East Nashville, and the Gulch may disturb older insulation, tiles, and other components, releasing fibers into the air.

City workers, electricians, and construction crews risk exposure even during routine projects. Property owners and contractors have legal obligations to follow abatement procedures, and failure to do so can put workers and residents at risk for harm that can last a lifetime.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Tennessee Workplaces

Asbestos was not confined to one particular job or occupation. It was present in many industries where heat or friction was present. Many workers in Nashville were unaware of asbestos exposure on the job until many years later, when they began to feel the effects of this preventable disease.

Even one high-risk job could create lifelong health consequences for some. These consequences do not always present themselves immediately, but can come many years after retirement or long-term employment. Identifying occupations with the greatest potential for asbestos exposure can help determine where responsibility may lie. In general, exposure to asbestos has been known to occur from:

• Workplaces that use heat-resistant insulation, such as power plants and other manufacturing facilities
• Automobile repair shops that used asbestos brakes and clutches
• Construction companies where asbestos was present in pipes, drywall compounds, and other building materials

Understanding the Hidden Risk of Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Workers were not the only ones who suffered the effects of asbestos exposure. In fact, families were often exposed as well without ever setting foot on a job site. Asbestos fibers were carried home from work on clothes and shoes. These fibers then settled into car seats, furniture, and household air ducts.

Secondary exposure has led to many cases of mesothelioma in family members who were in close contact with asbestos fibers, including spouses and children who washed their work clothes or lived in the same household as the primary worker.

Identifying these sources of indirect exposure is important for any claims because the effects of asbestos can be long-lasting and extend far beyond the initial jobsite.

The Ongoing Human Cost of Asbestos in Tennessee

Mesothelioma is rare, but devastating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 2,669 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States in 2022, and many of these cases are due to occupational exposure.

In Tennessee, decades of manufacturing and ship repair have left a lasting mark. Each case is a story of missed warnings, preventable consequences, and families left to pick up the pieces after a diagnosis that shouldn’t have happened.

FAQs

Where Did Asbestos Exposure Happen in Nashville?

Workplaces were typically power plants, auto factories, and construction sites. Many contractors or factory workers were in daily contact with asbestos when installing insulation, flooring, or brake materials.

Contractors also renovate older buildings in East Nashville, Donelson, and other aging neighborhoods, exposing new employees to asbestos dust. Old buildings and outdated HVAC systems throughout the city release asbestos fibers during basic maintenance because they contain materials from past decades.

How Long Does It Take for Mesothelioma to Develop?

The long-term effects of breathing in asbestos fibers can take 20 to 60 years to develop, which is why cases of mesothelioma often involve lengthy litigation. Industrial workers who were exposed in the 1970s or 1980s in Nashville are only now being diagnosed and are still eligible for compensation.

The medical records you document from the moment the first symptoms appear are key to a successful claim.

Can Family Members Exposed Through Clothing File Claims?

Immediate family members also have a right to compensation if they developed mesothelioma from secondhand exposure. Entire Nashville families were impacted by a simple misstep when a worker would unknowingly carry home asbestos fibers on their shoes, uniforms, or tools.

Spouses, children, and parents developed secondary illnesses from simple contact. When you hire a mesothelioma & asbestos lawyer, they work with you to determine how and when your exposure happened, even if many years have passed since then.

What Is the Time Limit to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee law, most victims have one year from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. Families who file wrongful death claims also have one year from the date of death.

These deadlines are very short, so it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your right to sue and ensure your loved one can secure financial assistance for your ongoing medical and family expenses.

Contact a Nashville Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

The skyline of Nashville reflects the progress of a booming city. Many daily exposed workers faced years of unknown risk during their time on the job. The health effects of asbestos exposure aren’t undone with time, and countless families are still coming to terms with illnesses related to jobs and sites long gone.

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we don’t believe justice has an expiration date. Contact a Nashville mesothelioma lawyer today to learn more about your options and take the first step toward accountability and long-term peace of mind. Book a consultation to get started.