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Mesothelioma Lawyers in Kentucky for Asbestos Exposure
The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons firm represent victims of mesothelioma cancer throughout the United States including the state of Kentucky. We have represented thousands of families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancer and have seen the suffering it causes firsthand. The Simmons firm is dedicated to giving our clients the respect and attention they deserve, no matter where they live. If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, we will come to you. Over the past decade, we’ve represented many clients throughout Kentucky, including the cities of Fort Knox, Henderson, Lexington, Louisville and Shelbyville.
As a nationwide firm, our asbestos attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to represent individuals and families against large companies in this complex area of litigation. Our firm has recovered over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements for thousands of families dealing with mesothelioma. Our lawyers have recovered $37 million for mesothelioma victims in the state of Kentucky alone.*
You should know that Kentucky has a unique set of laws that could impact your ability to file a claim. For example, Kentucky has statute of limitation laws that restrict the time frame in which mesothelioma victims and family members can file a lawsuit. Rest assured our mesothelioma lawyers are prepared to help you understand the process for filing an asbestos lawsuit and guide you through the legal system. Contact the Simmons firm if you have a question about a potential case.
If you have mesothelioma or lung cancer due to asbestos exposure, please contact our mesothelioma lawyers for a free case evaluation.
An Introduction to Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a deadly mineral that has been used in thousands of products. When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can cause a number of diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Of the diseases caused by asbestos, mesothelioma is the most aggressive, attacking the internal lining of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma typically does not develop until decades after the asbestos exposure occurred.
Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky
Kentucky is home to a number of asbestos sites. For example, 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. One of the best-known asbestos exposure sites in Kentucky is Fort Campbell, a U.S. Army instillation at the Kentucky-Tennessee border. When the military built this base in the middle of the twentieth century, they used a great deal of asbestos material. While the base has been proactive in safely removing this asbestos in recent years, thousands of construction workers and soldiers have been exposed to asbestos through Fort Campbell over the last 50 years.1
Other known job sites in Kentucky where workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos include:
Ashland
Marathon Oil Refinery
Armco Steel aka Ashland Steel
Ashland Steel
Ashland Oil Refinery
Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell Army Base
Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Lexington
University of Kentucky Hospital
Central Baptist Hospital
University Of Kentucky
Louisville
Reynolds Metals Plant
Louisville Gas & Electric Plant
Louisville Refinery
Dupont Chemical Plant
General Electric Plant
Paducah
Texas Gas Transmission Plant
Shawnee Power Plant
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Plant
TVA Steam Plant
If you or a loved one has suffered from an asbestos-related disease, please contact us today for a free legal consultation.
Learn More About Mesothelioma:
» Mesothelioma Diagnosis Information
» Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
* Please note that recovery results vary per client. The recovery amounts in each case reflect the specific facts of that case. Further, recovery amounts in past cases are not a guarantee of future results
The majority of individuals who have been exposed to asbestos encounter the so-called "magic mineral" in their line of work, often due to inadequate safety precautions. Others are exposed to asbestos indirectly when they come in contact with the clothing of a family member involved in a high-risk asbestos occupation.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. When microscopic asbestos dust particles becomes airborne, they can be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health issues.
Common work environments where a mesothelioma or cancer patient may have encountered asbestos include shipyards, oil refineries, sheet metal plants, automotive plants, construction sites, and many more. Click here to view a complete list of occupations that have been linked to asbestos exposure.
Giving Back to Mesothelioma Patients & Families
In 2010, the Simmons firm established the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research and advancing awareness about this rare cancer. The Foundation partners with established experts and thought-leaders in the mesothelioma research field. Learn more about the Foundation's current mesothelioma research partners.
As a long-time supporter of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, the Simmons firm has an extensive history of supporting the fight against mesothelioma and cancer. The firm has also pledged over $10 million to establish the Simmons Cancer Institute at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. The institute provides extraordinary new resources to enhance treatments and implement the continuing search for a permanent cure. It is the largest single gift in the history of SIU and establishes the university as home to one of the leading cancer facilities in the United States.
Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky Today
Asbestos has not yet been banned in the United States. Its use is regulated, but it is still used in products today. Asbestos has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen. This assessment is supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), both of which believe that the future use of asbestos should be banned.
The following chart shows the higher-risk occupations for malignant mesothelioma along with their corresponding Kentucky employment numbers.
| Occupation | Number Employed in Kentucky, 20062 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters | 6,500 |
| Mechanical engineers | 2,280 |
| Electricians | 10,010 |
| Teachers, elementary school | 17,040 |
Kentucky has its own unique struggles with mesothelioma. Consider the following:
- CDC statistics show Kentucky’s age-adjusted death rate for malignant mesothelioma to be 9.6 deaths per million per year.3
- The National Cancer Institute and CDC’s state cancer profiles show Kentucky’s 2006 annual incidence rate for lung and bronchus cancers was 97.1 deaths per 100,000, the highest in the nation. The U.S. average is 66.8 deaths per 100,000, meaning Kentucky’s numbers are almost 45.4% higher than the national average.4
- The Environmental Working Group reported that there were up to 651 mesothelioma cases in Kentucky from 1979 to 2001.5
For more information about asbestos in Kentucky and throughout the U.S., visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.