Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyer
Page Written By Rod De Llano, EsquireThis article has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.
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Kentucky falls right in the middle of the 50 states in terms of the number of people who died from asbestos-related illnesses. While different kinds of job sites have exposed people to asbestos, like metalworking, construction, and chemical production, the coal mining industry that has had the biggest impact on workers and residents of Kentucky.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer face costly medical bills and health challenges. They are facing a health tragedy that is not their fault. In turn, many have turned to the guidance of a Kentucky mesothelioma lawyer to help them file a lawsuit against the party responsible for their asbestos exposure and resulting illnesses.
Attorney Ethan Flint – Leading Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyer
Kentucky asbestos victims should contact Ethan Flint, founder and managing partner of the Flint Law Firm, LLC. Though the firm had modest origins and opened with only three employees, it has grown over the past 12 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 he 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
3160 Parisa Drive
Paducah, KY 42003
Phone: (270) 201-7981
More Information on Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Kentucky
Over the years between 1999 and 2013, over 2,000 people in Kentucky died because of illnesses likely related to asbestos exposure. That includes 444 people who died from mesothelioma and 172 who died from asbestosis. 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.
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 plants, chemical plants, power plants, agricultural plants, and in construction work, were at risk of being exposed. Asbestos has been used extensively in the buildings, especially for insulation, but also in many of the products workers made. One of the largest industries in Kentucky is coal mining, and this has 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. It comes with many risks to worker safety, including 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. 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 up until the 1990s when it shut down as 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, but also nearby residents at risk of exposure to asbestos. The Wilder plant produced products like 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. Workers were encouraged to take vermiculite home for use in yards and gardens, so the contamination stretched into the surrounding neighborhoods.
Other Kentucky Sites with Asbestos
Vermiculite processing plants and coal mining are major sources of exposure to asbestos in Kentucky. There are other sites, however, that 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
- Northwester 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
Asbestos Laws in Kentucky
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 include 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 10 days in advance of any asbestos abatement project.
Getting Medical Help in Kentucky
If you have been exposed to asbestos, it’s crucial to get screened regularly for related health conditions. In Kentucky there is one location—the Markey Cancer Center—that is 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.
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. 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.
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.
Page Written by Rod De Llano, Esquire
Rod De Llano was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Economics, and earned a law degree from the University of Texas. After working for an international law firm for several years, Rod formed a law firm dedicated to representing persons injured by exposure to asbestos products. For over 20 years, Rod has fought for persons diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. His clients have recovered over $1 billion over the years.
