Should I File an NC State Poe Hall PCB Exposure Contamination Lawsuit?

If you contracted cancer or another debilitating disease after spending time in Poe Hall at NC State University, you may have many questions: Am I owed compensation? What do I do next? How much does hiring an attorney to fight for justice cost?

We can give you clarity on your case for free and help you decide on the best next steps for you. To get your free professional opinion with no obligation, call 1-866-900-7078. Someone is available to help you right now.

What Is the Poe Hall Cancer Cluster?

So far, more than 100 cases of cancer have been reported by people who spent time in Poe Hall and unfortunately, that number is likely to grow. When many cancer cases are reported within a small geographic area and limited time, such as with Poe Hall, it is known as a “cancer cluster.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is currently testing the levels of cancer-causing construction materials in Poe Hall after elevated levels of PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) were found in the building.

PCBs are synthetic chemicals that were once added to a wide range of construction materials such as paint, plastics, caulk, insulation, adhesive, electrical equipment, lighting systems, and flooring. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PCBs can suppress the immune system, making cancers and other serious illnesses much more likely in those who’ve been exposed to them.

PCBs were banned in 1979 due to their toxicity, but Poe Hall was built in 1971.

If you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, you could have been exposed to deadly PCBs in Poe Hall and may be entitled to compensation:

• Did you ever attend a class in Poe Hall?
• Did you ever work in Poe Hall?
• Have you suffered any significant health problems since spending time working or attending class in Poe Hall?
• Have your children suffered any significant health problems since you spent significant time in Poe Hall?

For a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation, call 1-866-900-7078 today. We are here to help.

Timeline of Key Events Surrounding the Rise in Cancer Cases Around Poe Hall

1971: Poe Hall was constructed using cancer-causing construction materials, PCBs, which were later banned in 1979 due to their toxicity.

September 2023: The North Carolina Department of Labor informs NC State that the state Occupational Safety and Health Division “received a complaint concerning alleged health and/or safety violations” at Poe Hall.

October 2023: NC State contacts the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services “regarding concerns about breast cancer cases in people who spent time in Poe Hall.” NC State hires an independent consultant, EMSL Analytical, to test the building for harmful materials.

November 2023: EMSL Analytical reports the presence of PCBs in Poe Hall at levels several times higher than the threshold for a safe amount within buildings. PCB levels were found to be present in Poe Hall at up to 38x higher levels than what’s considered safe. Chancellor Randy Woodson informs the campus community that the building is closed.

February 8, 2024: NC State shares the initial results of its testing for PCBs in the HVAC system at Poe Hall. The results are good – but the tests were performed while the building’s HVAC system was turned off.

That same day, local media reports that more than 100 people who spent time in Poe Hall have been diagnosed with cancer.

February 9, 2024: NC State faculty pass a “no confidence” vote in the university’s chancellor and vice chancellor for their handling of the Poe Hall cancer cluster. The vote is the first of its kind in university history and a rarity among U.S. universities.

Cancers Associated With PCB Contamination and Exposure: Were You Harmed?

The cancers associated with PCBs found in Poe Hall include:

• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer
• Malignant melanoma (skin cancer)
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the body’s immune system)
• Other cancers

Cancer Treatments for Poe Hall PCB Contamination Victims

If you were diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to PCBs in Poe Hall, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

• Surgery to remove cancerous tissue
• Chemotherapy to kill or slow the development of cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells
• Targeted drug or hormone therapy to disrupt cancer cell development
• Palliative care for those whose cancer can’t be treated

What Other Medical Conditions Are Associated With PCB and Toxic Chemical Exposure?

In addition to causing various cancers, PCBs are known to lower the immune system and increase the risk of the following medical conditions:

• Reproductive difficulties:
  • Reduced conception and birth rate
  • Reduced sperm count
  • Infant low birth weight
• Neurological defects including problems with memory, learning, and vision
• Disruption of thyroid hormones responsible for regulating your weight and metabolism
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Heart disease
• Other diseases associated with a lowered immune system

When Should I Call an Attorney if I May Have Been Affected?

Call an attorney as soon as possible to shoulder the burden for you, advise you, and advocate for you. The longer you wait, the more damage may be done to your case.

You may be owed significant compensation that can help you and your family with medical and other costs, including for:

• Your current and future medical bills
• Your physical and mental pain and suffering
• Your loss of enjoyment of life
• Your loss of earning capacity
• Wrongful death damages for the passing of a loved one

Some of our notable cases include:

• We’re currently helping thousands of veterans and their families fight for compensation for the effects of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
• We helped thousands of Black farmers achieve a $1.25 billion settlement from the U.S. government after years of discrimination by the USDA. This is one of the largest civil rights cases in American history.^1,3
• We’re fighting 3M over their defective earplugs which caused veterans to suffer hearing loss during their service.
• And we’re currently facing off against the Chemours Company and DuPont in a case involving the forever chemical GenX polluting the Cape Fear River, causing illnesses to area residents.

If you were harmed by the PCB contamination at Poe Hall, contact us online or call us today at 1-866-900-7078 for your free case evaluation.

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin consults with a national network of attorneys on product liability, defective drugs, and defective products cases in an attempt to provide the best representation we can for our clients. Depending on the details of your case, our firm may refer your matter to another law firm with which we associate. We will only do this if we believe it is in your best interests and if you agree.