If you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is normal to feel overwhelmed when thinking about your future. You may have many questions about your health, what caused your illness and what your options are moving forward. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our mesothelioma attorneys can help you understand your rights in terms of filing a lawsuit in Kentucky.
A mesothelioma lawsuit or claim could potentially pay for your past, current and future necessary medical care, as well as lost wages and pain and suffering. With assistance from our attorneys, you can pursue justice and the financial compensation that you deserve from one or more defendants. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
Why Choose Our Mesothelioma Attorneys?
- You won’t be alone during the legal process. We dedicate individual attention to each case and always remain in frequent contact with our clients.
- Our case results show that we know how to achieve outstanding settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma claims. We have recovered over $90 million for our clients.
- We will connect you and your family to vital mesothelioma resources and answer your questions while pursuing the best possible results for your case.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a group of minerals that were used to manufacture many different products in the 1800s and 1900s, until research confirmed that all six types of asbestos were carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer in humans. Today, asbestos can still be found in many places in Kentucky, including homes, workplaces and consumer goods.
Asbestos can cause mesothelioma when tiny fibers and particles of this mineral get lodged in the membrane that lines many organs (the mesothelium). This can occur if asbestos is breathed into the lungs or swallowed. The particles will remain stuck in the tissues for many years, potentially causing irritation and scar tissue that can eventually lead to cancerous tumors. The latency period, or time between the date of asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma, is typically 20-60+ years.
The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining that surrounds the lungs (the pleura). Sadly, there is no cure for mesothelioma. Although each case is unique, the average life expectancy for a patient who is diagnosed with this disease is currently around 12 to 21 months with treatment, according to the National Library of Medicine. Mesothelioma treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Where Is Asbestos Found in Kentucky?
Asbestos is often located in older buildings, such as any structure built before the 1980s. Construction materials frequently contained asbestos as an affordable substance that offered natural heat resistance and durability. Common examples are insulation, drywall, cements, adhesives, floor and ceiling tiles, roof shingles, ductwork, furnace and boiler components, and electrical panels.
If someone lives or works in an older building, he or she could be exposed to asbestos – especially if a renovation project disturbs asbestos deposits. Another risk is a first responder or firefighter entering the premises after a recent disaster that stirs up asbestos into the air, such as the collapse of a building.
Asbestos was also used in the creation of many friction products, such as brake pads and gaskets. For this reason, automotive workers and mechanics in Kentucky may be at risk of being exposed to asbestos. Employers in any industry or occupation that comes with a risk of asbestos exposure have a legal obligation to provide adequate protection to workers.
Kentucky Mesothelioma Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky reported 175 new cases of mesothelioma from 2015 to 2019. This means that for every 100,000 people in the state, 1 case of mesothelioma was reported. In the same timeframe, 138 people in Kentucky died of this disease. The county with the highest number of new cases was Jefferson County, with 18 reported cases from 2015 to 2019. Kentucky was ranked number 28 on the list of states in terms of mesothelioma cases in these five years.
How Do You Seek Compensation for Mesothelioma in Kentucky?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Kentucky, you may be entitled to financial compensation for several past and future losses. You may be eligible to bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, for example, as well as a workers’ compensation claim, asbestos trust fund claim or claim. The type of claim you choose will depend on your specific situation.
Take the following steps to pursue financial compensation for mesothelioma in Kentucky:
- Collect evidence to support your case. Ask for copies of your medical records, including proof of your mesothelioma diagnosis. Collect your employment documents, as well, if you believe you were exposed to asbestos at work.
- Find the right mesothelioma lawyer.Hiring an experienced mesothelioma attorney that is willing to make your case a priority, and that will help you with the claims filing process. An attorney can help you complete confusing claims paperwork and negotiate a fair settlement.
- File a lawsuit by the statute of limitations. Kentucky law gives residents just one year from the date of receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis to file a related lawsuit. For a wrongful death case, surviving family members have one year from the date of death.
Your claims process may look different depending on the type of legal action you take. Pursuing compensation from an asbestos trust fund in Kentucky, for example, comes with its own paperwork and filing process. A mesothelioma attorney can guide you through each step of your specific type of claim.
Contact Our Kentucky Mesothelioma Attorneys Today
Finding out that you have mesothelioma is devastating. What you do next can affect your future forever. You don’t have to go through this process alone. Consult with the attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP to determine if you have grounds for a claim or a lawsuit. If so, you may be eligible for financial compensation for many past and future expenses. A fair compensatory award could help you and your family pay for necessary treatments and plan ahead.
Our law firm can connect you to vital mesothelioma resources to help you get through this difficult time. We care about our clients and their families. Find out how we can help you today. Request a free case consultation with one of our intake specialists. Call (866) 871-7971 or contact our law firm online for a prompt callback.
