Victims of asbestos exposure in the state turn to Kentucky mesothelioma lawyers to take legal action against companies responsible for their illnesses. While different kinds of job sites have exposed people to asbestos, the coal mining industry has had the biggest impact on workers and residents of Kentucky.
Attorney Ethan Flint – Leading Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyer
Kentucky asbestos victims should contact Ethan Flint, founder, and managing partner of Flint Cooper. Though the firm had modest origins and opened with only three employees, it has grown over the past twelve years and expanded into several other states.
Ethan’s practice is dedicated to helping those who have been harmed by the negligence and misconduct of others. In particular, the law firm focuses on victims of asbestos exposure. Ethan has helped clients successfully navigate the legal process during trial, as well as settlement agreements negotiated in private.
In addition to providing robust legal representation, Ethan provides his clients with comprehensive support from the time that they first seek assistance to the time that their cases resolve. He provides an accounting department dedicated to ensuring settlement money is quickly distributed to victims, to restore their economic stability as quickly as possible.
Ethan Flint chose to represent Kentucky mesothelioma victims after he grew up in Kevil, Kentucky. He and his family still live in the state. Ethan has dedicated considerable time contributing to the community on a variety of boards and charitable organizations, as well as by serving as Deputy Sheriff for Ballard County, Kentucky.
BAR ADMISSIONS
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Kentucky
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
Illinois
EDUCATION
Saint Louis University School of Law, Juris Doctor
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri B.A. (Biology) Honors: Cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Madison County Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice
Kentucky Office Location:
Paducah Mesothelioma Law Office
2690 Olivet Church Rd
Paducah, KY 42001
Phone: (270) 201-7981
Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyers Help Victims Throughout the State
If you were exposed to asbestos in Kentucky and now have mesothelioma or a related illness, asbestos attorneys can help. They work with victims all over the state, including in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington, and Frankfort.
An experienced attorney is necessary for the best result. A mesothelioma lawyer or firm can help you by:
- Investigating your past asbestos exposure and determining which companies are responsible
- Explaining your legal options
- Building a case and helping you get a settlement, jury verdict, or asbestos trust fund compensation
- Doing all the work of filing claims while you focus on treatment
- Providing services at no cost until they win
How Have Asbestos and Mesothelioma Affected People in Kentucky?
Over the years between 1999 and 2017, over 3,100 people in Kentucky died because of illnesses likely related to asbestos exposure.
The figure includes 579 people who died from mesothelioma and 237 who died from asbestosis.[1] Asbestos is a natural mineral that is mined, and although there are no natural deposits in Kentucky, this mineral has been used in many applications in a variety of industries.
Where Could I Have Been Exposed to Asbestos in Kentucky?
Almost anyone working in an industrial setting in the state was at risk of being exposed to asbestos, especially before federal regulations of the 1970s put safety measures in place.
Workers in manufacturing, chemical plants, power plants, agricultural plants, and construction were at risk of exposure.
One of the largest industries in Kentucky is coal mining, and this has also been a major source of asbestos exposure over the years.
Coal Mining and Asbestos
Coal mining in eastern Kentucky has long been an important industry in the state and a major source of jobs, but it comes with many risks to worker safety. This includes collapsing mines that trap workers and the inhalation of coal dust that causes lifelong respiratory problems.
These workers were also put at risk of being exposed to and inhaling asbestos fibers. Mining has been one of the biggest contributors to asbestos exposure and casualties in the state.
Mining has long caused respiratory illnesses in workers, but modern studies show that in coal mining, asbestos is a major contaminant that contributes to health issues.[2]
In addition to any asbestos that may be in the mine naturally, workers were also exposed to asbestos used in electrical equipment, brake linings in mobile equipment, insulation, heat-resistant gloves, and thermal blankets.
Vermiculite Processing
Another source of asbestos exposure in Kentucky is from the processing of another natural mineral: vermiculite. Wilder, Kentucky was home to a W.R. Grace vermiculite processing plant that processed over 220,000 tons of this mineral that came from a mine in Libby, Montana.
The Libby mine operated for decades until the 1990s when it shut down because it became clear that the vermiculite it produced and sent to hundreds of locations around the country was contaminated with asbestos.
The Wilder facility processed this vermiculite from 1952 through 1992, putting workers at the plant and nearby residents at risk of asbestos exposure. The Wilder plant produced insulation, fireproofing materials, and concrete aggregate that were all contaminated with asbestos.
The W.R. Grace Company also contaminated the surroundings by dumping waste material on-site and nearby. The company encouraged workers to take vermiculite home for use in yards and gardens. The contamination stretched into the surrounding neighborhoods.[3]
Other Kentucky Sites with Asbestos
Vermiculite processing plants and coal mining are major sources of exposure to asbestos in Kentucky. Other sites, however, have been known to contain asbestos and to have exposed workers and others. These include both job sites and public buildings, like schools:
- East Kentucky State College, Richmond
- Morehead State College, Morehead
- Ballard High School, Louisville
- Carroll County High School, Carrollton
- Northwestern Railroad, Russell
- Cooper Powerhouse, Burnside
- Big Sandy Power Station, Louisa,
- Mathieson Chemical Company, Brandenburg
- Hooker Chemical Corporation, South Shore
- Kentucky Asphalt Company, Louisville
- Bluegrass Insulation, Louisville
- Armco Steel, Ashland
- Illinois Central Railroad, Louisville, Paducah
Can I Still Be Exposed to Asbestos Today in Kentucky?
People diagnosed with mesothelioma now were exposed to asbestos decades ago. However, the dangers of asbestos are not totally in the past. Many older buildings still contain asbestos components and materials, including homes.
These are just a few examples of ongoing asbestos issues in Kentucky:
- The severe flooding of July 2022 put many people at risk of asbestos exposure. The flood waters destroyed buildings that contained asbestos. As asbestos materials dried out, they could have released fibers into the air. Workers cleaning the area were at the greatest risk.[4]
- In spring 2022, crews began abating asbestos in the Ashland Oil Building in Ashland so that it could be demolished. It sat empty and unused for many years, during which time asbestos materials could have decayed and exposed people in the area.[5]
- Firefighters in Taylor Mill continue to be put at risk of a building in disrepair. The city’s firehouse has many issues, including asbestos. Some of the walls in the building contain asbestos and are becoming damaged, putting workers at risk of exposure. A solution to the problem has not yet been found.[6]
What Are the Asbestos Laws in Kentucky?
Kentucky’s laws govern how victims file lawsuits and seek compensation. They also seek to prevent future asbestos exposure.
Kentucky’s Asbestos Safety Regulations
The Division for Air Quality in Kentucky is responsible for managing asbestos regulations, which are set at the state level and also include federal regulations.
The rules in the state stipulate that workers handling or abating asbestos in any building must be trained and certified by the state. The state must also be notified in advance of any asbestos-related project. The state requires notification at least ten days in advance of any asbestos abatement project.[7]
Statute of Limitations
If you become sick from asbestos exposure that you feel was out of your control, you may want to file a lawsuit. In Kentucky, you have one year from your time of diagnosis to file, according to the statute of limitations.
If you lost a loved one to mesothelioma, you have just one year from the time of death to start a wrongful death lawsuit. This does not give you much time to make a case, so it is important to act quickly.
No Take-Home Duty for Secondhand Exposure
Most people encountered asbestos directly and on the job. A few were exposed indirectly, most often when someone working with asbestos brought fibers home on clothing or in their hair.
Some women developed mesothelioma after shaking out and washing their husbands’ clothing with asbestos fibers.
Unfortunately for these secondhand exposure victims, Kentucky does not recognize take-home duty in asbestos cases. This means these victims cannot sue asbestos companies for damages.
The precedent came from a case in which a man alleged that his father’s work clothing from Cincinnati Gas & Electric caused his mesothelioma. The Sixth Circuit Court in Kentucky found that the defendants could not have known of the risks of secondhand exposure and could not be held liable.
Getting Medical Help in Kentucky
If you have been exposed to asbestos, it’s crucial to get screened regularly for related health conditions. Kentucky has one location—the Markey Cancer Center—designated by the National Cancer Institute as a facility that provides excellent care with expertise from experienced medical staff. These designated medical centers are staffed by experts in cancer care and treatment.
Working with a Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyer
With such a short statute of limitations on these lawsuits, it is especially important that you act right away after diagnosis and seek out a Kentucky mesothelioma lawyer to help you.
With the guidance of an experienced professional, you can be sure that you make the most of the time you have to make your case. Your legal team can make sure you meet the deadline and that you have the best possible chance at a positive outcome from your lawsuit.
