Asbestos In Your Area

Asbestos in the State of Kentucky

Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky

Most of Kentucky is dedicated to agriculture and there aren't any known, naturally occurring deposits of asbestos in the state. What this means is that the majority of workers who were exposed to asbestos were working with Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). Asbestos is a natural occurring mineral that takes the form of small, thin fibers. It has many desirable qualities, and is resistant to heat, electricity and chemicals. As the Industrial Age got rolling in the late 1800's and the early 1900's, asbestos was used extensively as an insulator. The use of asbestos continued to grow and began to be used in a wide variety of products. When the dangers of asbestos were finally discovered, it had already been used in many different products for many different industries.

At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Kentucky

Some of the most at-risk professions for asbestos exposure today are in the construction industry. As mentioned above, ACMs were found in use in a lot of different materials that were used extensively in buildings and homes. A lot of those buildings are reaching an age that major renovations need to be done to prolong their usefulness. If there is asbestos insulation in use, not to mention wall board, ceiling and floor tiles and certain kinds of adhesive that contain asbestos, chances are good that asbestos fibers will become airborne if proper safety precautions are not put in place. The Environmental Protection Agency and many local health departments are very aware of the need to stop developers from stirring up asbestos and perform inspections and order abatements.

Because asbestos is resistant to both heat and electricity, it was used extensively in power plants. Specific power plants in Cattlesburg and Drakesboro are sites that have been targeted as high risk for asbestos. Chemical plants and oil refineries, found in both Louisville and Ashland, have also been listed as high risk worksites. Asbestos was also used for a lot of military operations. The U.S. Army's Fort Campbell base located in Fort Campbell, Kentucky is a known hotspot for asbestos exposure. Military personnel working on the base during the 40's, 50's and 60's were potentially exposed to asbestos fibers. Any industry where the workers had to wear any kind of gear for protection from fire and heat probably used asbestos suits. Even race car drivers of the 1950's and 60's were exposed to asbestos from their fire gear.

Asbestos-Related Deaths in Kentucky

Asbestosis is scarring that occurs in the lungs as a result of inhaling asbestos fibers. The scar tissue lowers lung capacity and victims often suffer from shortness of breath. There is also a higher risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma for these people. From 1979 to 1999 there were 118 deaths resulting from asbestosis. While this disease is much more common than its cousin, mesothelioma, there are many fewer deaths as a result of it because it is treatable and doesn't spread.

There were 316 deaths from mesothelioma in the same time period. It is much more deadly than asbestosis. Asbestos is a carcinogen that affects the lining that covers and protects many of the organs in the chest and stomach. It can take a long time for tumors to form, but once they do, the cancer moves through the body quickly.

So, there were a total of 434 deaths between 1979 and 1999 in Kentucky. While more current statistics are hard to come by, experts estimate that the numbers of asbestos-related medical cases have in increased and will increase over the next several years. It is believed that numbers will peak in about 2015 and then drop relatively quickly, because the majority of exposure to asbestos by employers had ended by the early 1980's.

Legal Resources for Kentucky Residents

Asbestos related trials have occurred as recently as 2007 in Kentucky. The Kentucky judicial system does seem to lean towards defendants, if the outcomes of the latest trials are any indication. There is also a very short statute of limitations of one year for personal injury in Kentucky. Most states have two year time limits. One case that occurred in 2007 lasted all of two weeks and the court ruled in favor of the defendant.

There are limited numbers of suits in Kentucky because opportunities for long term exposure are limited. But, the possibility that an individual will come into contact with asbestos on his or her worksite in Kentucky does exists. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related illness or disease, make certain to see a lawyer as soon as possible. Again, you have one year from the date of diagnosis to file any legitimate claim for damages. The paperwork and red tape can be daunting and that is where a good, experienced lawyer is going to help. Just as many professions, lawyers tend to specialize in one specific area of the law. It is easy to find many reputable lawyers who have experience with your kind of case.

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