Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyers

How to Find and Choose a Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyer

One of the most important things to look for in a law firm for mesothelioma cases is a kind, caring attitude. Excellent attorneys genuinely want to help you and make the filing process easier. Choose a lawyer who has many years of experience with mesothelioma lawsuits in Kentucky.

Illustrating the importance of working with a knowledgeable Kentucky asbestos attorney, from 2018 to 2022, there were more than 165 new cases of mesothelioma in the state. And Kentucky laws don’t give patients or family members much time to file. The state’s statute of limitations is one of the shortest in the country, with only one year from diagnosis for a personal injury case or from the loss of a loved one for a wrongful death case. Contacting an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is urgent.

There are important advantages to working with nationwide law firms that specialize in asbestos lawsuits. Top firms have significant financial and legal resources, including large evidence libraries. Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national asbestos firm, for example,  has recovered more than $125 million for Kentucky patients and families.

Weitz & Luxenberg

• $8.5 Billion Recovered
• Serves Clients Nationwide
• Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022

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Simmons Hanly Conroy

• $8.9 Billion Recovered
• Serves Clients Nationwide
• Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report

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Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Kentucky

Cases in Kentucky often end in mesothelioma settlements. Many settlements provide $1 million or more in compensation, and they usually take less time than a court trial.

Notable Settlements, Verdicts or Trust Funds in Kentucky

• $35.7 million: A 67-year-old man who died from asbestosis after years of exposure to thermal insulation products received this wrongful death verdict. Most defendants settled, but National Service Industries went to trial and was held liable for compensation and punitive damages.
• $5.65 million: Flora Franklin worked as a tile sorter at Florida Tile in Anderson County, where she was exposed to asbestos-containing talc supplied to the plant. After developing mesothelioma, she filed suit against several defendants. General Motors and Pneumo Abex settled during trial, while the jury found Vanderbilt Minerals 70% liable and awarded damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses and punitive damages.

Kentucky asbestos cases result in both settlements and jury verdicts, with successful claims often providing substantial compensation to patients and their families. While settlements typically resolve faster than trials, some cases that go to court have resulted in significant verdicts. The amount of compensation depends on factors, including the severity of illness, extent of exposure and the defendants involved.

How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Kentucky?

Experienced asbestos lawyers can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim. Law firms that have worked with asbestos exposure cases for decades understand the complex court process in Kentucky. They manage your case one step at a time.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Gather medical records: Your lawyer collects documentation to confirm your mesothelioma diagnosis and link it to asbestos exposure.
2. Investigate exposure history: Your legal team investigates the products and exposure sites in Kentucky responsible for your diagnosis, such as the W.R. Grace & Co. zonolite plant in Wilder, which processed over 215,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite and exposed workers to toxic fibers during production of fireproofing products.
3. Work with experts: Your legal team consults medical and occupational experts to strengthen evidence and build the strongest possible case.
4. File your claim: Your attorney files claims with asbestos trust funds and personal injury lawsuits in Kentucky courts, adhering to the state’s 1-year statute of limitations from diagnosis for personal injury or from death for wrongful death claims.
5. Manage legal procedures: Your lawyer handles all paperwork, court filings, procedural requirements and your testimony throughout your case.
6. Negotiate or litigate: Your attorney negotiates settlements with defendants or prepares for trial if needed to maximize your compensation.

An experienced asbestos lawyer manages the legal complexities of your case so you can focus on your health and family. Your attorney handles investigations, filings, negotiations and court proceedings, keeping you informed throughout the process without burdening you with technical details.

Unsure About Your Legal Options?

Over $30 billion has been set aside to support those diagnosed with mesothelioma. We’ll help you explore your options and introduce you to the nation’s leading mesothelioma law firms.

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Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky

Local mining, metal works and construction industries exposed Kentucky residents to asbestos. Asbestos exposure most commonly happens at work sites.

Sites in Kentucky Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Fort Campbell and Fort Knox: Military asbestos exposure took place at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox. 
• Georgetown College: Students living in Knight Hall found a steam pipe leaking from the ceiling in 2011. The college found asbestos, and the dean arranged for cleanup, but the school didn’t evacuate the hall.
• Givaudan Sense Colour Facility: An explosion in 2024 at this facility in Louisville generated concerns about toxic exposure to asbestos.
• Highland Middle School: Highland Middle School in Louisville closed off part of the building after carpenters potentially exposed asbestos materials in 2018. Fortunately, the school followed federal guidelines to safely respond to the exposure threat.
• Kentucky power plants: Power generation facilities were significant sources of asbestos exposure in the state, including Louisa Power (Big Sandy Power), Ghent Powerhouse and the Big Rivers Electric Corporation plants.

Legacy asbestos exposure in Kentucky schools is a major concern because buildings constructed before the 1980s often contain asbestos products. State and county agencies monitor and inspect schools for deteriorating asbestos products.

W.R. Grace & Co. Zonolite Plant in Wilder

From the 1950s to the early 1990s, the W.R. Grace & Co. zonolite plant in Wilder exposed workers directly to toxic asbestos fibers. This plant produced industrial fireproofing products, such as structural panels, asbestos-cement blocks and insulation. Workers handled materials containing asbestos during the production process and inhaled the toxic fibers and dust.

The Wilder plant processed more than 215,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the W.R. Grace & Co. mine in Libby, Montana. Waste materials were simply dumped onsite. Some samples taken in 2000 showed nearly 20% asbestos in shallow and surface soils.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky

Many workers in Kentucky faced occupational exposure to asbestos in construction, manufacturing and power generation. Military personnel were also exposed on bases in Kentucky.   

Higher-Risk Jobs in Kentucky

• Chemical plant workers
• Construction workers
• Military personnel
• Miners
• Plumbers
• Power generation workers
• Railroad workers
• Sheet metal workers
• Teachers

Some family members were exposed to asbestos through loved ones who worked around the toxic fibers. Washing contaminated clothing or hugging the person released asbestos. This is called secondhand asbestos exposure.

How Your Lawyer Supports You in Kentucky’s Changing Asbestos Litigation

Experienced mesothelioma lawyers stay up-to-date with Kentucky regulations for asbestos cases. Kentucky courts tend to support asbestos manufacturers and corporate defendants, so many asbestos lawsuits in Kentucky are settled out of court or tried in another state.

Kentucky Legislative Changes

• Comparative fault: When juries award damages in Kentucky courts, the total compensation can be reduced depending on the percentage of comparative fault of the defendants. To hold companies accountable, you need strong evidence, which is why law firm resources are so important.
• Kentucky Asbestos Trust Claims Transparency Act proposal: The Kentucky Senate introduced a bill to require people filing claims to disclose all asbestos trust fund applications and payments. The bill isn’t law yet, but it may affect total case compensation in the future.
• Substantial factor causation: Kentucky applies a “substantial factor” rule to product cases involving asbestos exposure. This standard requires showing that specific products were a major factor in developing mesothelioma.

Companies that made and used asbestos products have been held responsible for exposing workers in Kentucky. Many manufacturers knew the dangers of asbestos but used it anyway to save money. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit isn’t just a way for your family to get fair compensation. It’s also an opportunity to hold negligent companies accountable.