01. Kentucky Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Kentucky
Kentuckians diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may be eligible for compensation. Mesothelioma law firms can explain eligibility, filing options and how state laws may impact lawsuits. Asbestos lawyers also handle litigation on behalf of their clients, from filing to negotiating settlements.
The following law firms can help people living in Kentucky receive compensation:
Working with a mesothelioma law firm has several advantages. Asbestos attorneys have decades of experience and access to many resources to help them build successful cases. Lawyers at these law firms have proven track records holding asbestos companies accountable for the harm they caused and securing compensation for their clients.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Kentucky
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Kentucky
Kentucky mesothelioma patients and their families may be eligible to file asbestos lawsuits or other claims. Mesothelioma attorneys have represented clients in dozens of Kentucky towns and cities. These lawyers have won compensation for asbestos victims through Kentucky mesothelioma settlements and verdicts.
Between 1999 and 2020, 758 Kentucky residents developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos. Kentucky residents with mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases may be eligible for compensation from asbestos companies. They may be able to file personal injury lawsuits. Between 1999 and 2020, 629 residents also died from the disease. These patients’ loved ones may file wrongful death lawsuits.
Compensation from mesothelioma lawsuits may help patients cover lost wages and pay for medical bills and other expenses.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Kentucky?
Kentucky residents diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible to file mesothelioma lawsuits. Family members and loved ones of asbestos victims may also be able to file wrongful death lawsuits.
Historically, numerous Kentucky industries have used asbestos products. Widespread use of the mineral caused many individuals in the state to experience asbestos exposure. Many of these individuals later developed an asbestos-related illness, like mesothelioma.
Individuals in Kentucky may have experienced occupational asbestos exposure. People who worked at large commercial or military sites in the state may have been unknowingly exposed to the hazardous mineral. Often, employers at these asbestos jobsites did not provide workers with protective equipment or safe working conditions.
For example, veterans who served at Fort Knox or Fort Campbell may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials supplied by asbestos manufacturers. Barracks and equipment were commonly constructed with asbestos products. Veterans who develop asbestos diseases may file VA claims and lawsuits.
Residents of Kentucky who lived in the following cities and towns have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Alvaton, KY
- Ashland, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
- Burkesville, KY
- Campbellsville, KY
- Cannonsburg, KY
- Danville, KY
- David, KY
- Fort Thomas, KY
- Georgetown, KY
- Gravel Switch, KY
- Greenville, KY
- Henderson, KY
- La Grange, KY
- Lexington, KY
- Louisville, KY
- Maysville, KY
- Middlesboro, KY
- Newport, KY
- Owensboro, KY
- Pendleton, KY
- Pine Knot, KY
- Richmond, KY
- Sandy Hook, KY
- Versailles, KY
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Kentucky
Victims of asbestos exposure in Kentucky may seek compensation from asbestos companies. Experienced attorneys help clients understand filing deadlines and requirements. They also file and manage cases on their client’s behalf through every step of the legal process.
When filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, it’s essential to submit a case within the state’s statutes of limitations. These are laws that create time frames for filing lawsuits. The timeline to file a lawsuit typically begins at the date of diagnosis or the date of death.
Kentucky asbestos victims may be able to file in or out of state, depending on their case. A mesothelioma lawyer can determine the most beneficial state to file in.
Besides lawsuits, additional options may be available for compensation. For instance, individuals may be eligible to file claims against asbestos company trust funds. Asbestos trust funds are established during a company’s bankruptcy proceedings. They are created to compensate current and future asbestos victims.
03. Kentucky Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Kentucky
Successful mesothelioma lawsuits may result in settlements or jury awards. Many Kentucky residents with asbestos-related diseases have won compensation. Below are a few examples of Kentucky settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure:
- $11.6 million for an 84-year-old Air Force veteran, aircraft mechanic and boilermaker
- $4.8 million for a 48-year-old plant worker with secondary exposure
- $3.3 million for a 59-year-old Army veteran and maintenance worker
- $2.2 million for a 73-year-old Navy veteran, pipefitter and welder
- $1.8 million for a 75-year-old Navy Veteran (Long Beach Naval Shipyard)
- $1.6 million for a 59-year-old Army veteran and insulator
- $1.6 million for an 84-year-old electrician and manufacturing worker (Johns-Manville)
- $1.4 million for an 81-year-old Marine veteran and sheet metal fabricator
- $1.2 million for a 75-year-old Army veteran and flooring installer
A settlement is a private agreement between parties to end a lawsuit for a certain amount of compensation. Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in settlements with the companies being sued.
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Kentucky
Mesothelioma lawsuits may be settled out of court or decided at trial with a verdict by judges and juries. A mesothelioma lawsuit verdict is determined at the end of a trial. If a judge or jury finds an asbestos company liable for someone’s mesothelioma diagnosis or death, they will decide how much compensation the company owes.
In one Kentucky case, a mesothelioma patient experienced secondary asbestos exposure from her husband’s work clothes. She also claimed exposure from construction products at her workplace, Florida Tile in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Vanderbilt Company Inc. supplied asbestos-contaminated talc that was used in products made by Florida Tile.
The victim and her husband were awarded $5.65 million from Vanderbilt Company Inc. and several other defendants.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Kentucky mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Kentucky
Kentucky Asbestos Laws & Regulations
In Kentucky, residents and businesses must adhere to federal asbestos regulations. These include the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act regulations. In addition to these and other federal asbestos laws, businesses and contractors must follow state asbestos regulations.
The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program and the Kentucky Division of Waste Management regulate activities that involve the use of asbestos. These include:
- Ensuring dangerous materials are disposed of properly
- Licensing individuals to remove asbestos-containing materials from schools and commercial and public buildings
- Reviewing and approving management and removal plans for asbestos materials in buildings by asbestos abatement professionals
State and federal asbestos laws help keep Kentucky residents and workers safe from exposure to the mineral.
Kentucky Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Kentucky’s asbestos litigation is shaped by specific legal precedents and rules. Understanding these can significantly influence the outcome of lawsuits within the state. Mesothelioma lawyers are well-versed in these rules and can determine whether or not it would be best for Kentucky residents to file in the state. Victims can trust asbestos attorneys to understand these regulations so they can focus on their treatment and time with their loved ones.
Laws in Kentucky affecting asbestos liability and litigation involve the following topics:
- Proving company liability: Kentucky adopts a high standard of proof to show that a company caused a person’s asbestos disease. Although any level of exposure is dangerous, a victim must show a substantial amount of exposure caused by a company to hold them liable for their asbestos disease.
- Secondary asbestos exposure: Several Kentucky cases have looked at the question of whether companies can be held liable for exposure caused by their workers bringing asbestos home. One case ruled that companies cannot be held liable if the exposure occurred before knowledge of the dangers of asbestos became widespread. Another ruled that workers’ compensation insurance does not prevent third parties not employed by a company from suing for secondary exposure.
Expert lawyers can help Kentucky victims navigate the complexities of these laws. They can take advantage of the best filing strategies, including out-of-state filings, if laws elsewhere are more favorable to their clients.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
