Workplace victims of asbestos exposure are now fighting for justice with the help of experienced Kansas City, Kansas mesothelioma lawyers. Kansas City has a long history with an industrial economy that helped it grow. Unfortunately, many of these once relied heavily on asbestos.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, it’s important to understand your legal options and what you may be entitled to. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Kansas City, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Kansas City Asbestos Facts
- Kansas City has the fourth-highest number of asbestos deaths in the state.
- Between 1999 and 2017, Wyandotte County and Kansas City had 128 deaths related to asbestos exposure.
- Nearby Kansas City, Missouri, industrial workplaces have also contributed to local exposure rates and illnesses. These include vermiculite processing plants supplied with asbestos-contaminated material from the Libby, Montana, mines.
Understanding the Link: Smoking, Asbestos, and Lung Cancer Risk
When it comes to lung cancer risk, both smoking and asbestos exposure are formidable factors on their own. However, when combined, their effects are alarmingly amplified. Rather than experiencing an additive effect, where the risks simply sum up, these two factors interact to heighten lung cancer risk significantly.
The Science Behind It
- Individual Risks:
- Smoking: Already notorious for its role in lung cancer, smoking damages lung tissue and introduces carcinogens.
- Asbestos: Widely recognized as a serious health hazard, asbestos exposure alone is a known cause of lung cancer due to its fibrous nature, which can embed in lung tissue.
- Combined Effect:
- The relationship between smoking and asbestos exposure exhibits a synergistic effect. This means their combined impact is greater than the sum of their individual risks.
- Essentially, the dual presence of these factors accelerates and exacerbates the potential for lung cancer, making it far more likely than exposure to either risk alone.
In conclusion, the interaction between smoking and asbestos is not merely additive. Instead, it creates a compounded risk that should not be underestimated, underscoring the importance of mitigating both exposures wherever possible.
Am I Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
If you have a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you need a good lawyer. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, which is almost always negligent. You were likely exposed at work years ago. One or more companies can be held liable for your current illness and expenses.
Understanding Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer primarily affecting the lining of the lungs and abdomen. The only known cause is exposure to asbestos—a group of naturally occurring minerals used in construction and various industries due to their heat-resistant properties.
Most individuals exposed to asbestos encounter it in the workplace, such as construction sites, shipyards, or factories. However, exposure can also occur indirectly through a family member’s contaminated work clothing or through environmental sources.
Legal and Medical Implications
Identifying when and where the exposure happened can be challenging, as symptoms often emerge decades later. Despite this, legal avenues exist to hold responsible parties accountable. Affected individuals may pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Collecting evidence to demonstrate the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is crucial, as it directly supports your case against negligent companies.
Conclusion
Understanding the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos is vital for seeking justice and obtaining the necessary resources for treatment. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, exploring legal options is a critical step towards accountability and recovery.
A diagnosis of an asbestos illness, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, makes you eligible to seek compensation.
Why Do I Need a Kansas City, KS, Mesothelioma Lawyer?
A top Kansas lawyer working in the Kansas City area can review your case, explain your legal options, and help you recover damages. Compensation can help you pay for medical treatments and care while also replacing lost wages if you can no longer work.
Look for a lawyer who is local but is part of a larger, nationwide firm. They should have experience with asbestos cases but also the resources of a large firm. They will need to investigate your asbestos exposure and rely on experts to gather evidence.
Harcros Chemical Company
Harcros Chemicals Incorporated, also known as Harcros Chemical Company, is a chemical manufacturing and distribution company. Its 28 regional distribution centers distribute chemical products from manufacturers such as DuPont, Eastman, and BASF.
Workers made many of the products and materials at Hacros with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Everything from floor tiling to insulation and garments contained asbestos.
The primary type of asbestos used at Harcros was amosite. When mixed with chrysotile, the amosite creates products that are excellent at preventing corrosion and damage caused by substances.
Although it was banned in building materials in the 1970s, amosite was the primary type of asbestos used across the nation in chemical plants, labs, and refineries.
Crocidolite Asbestos: Characteristics and Uses
Crocidolite asbestos, often recognized by its distinctive blue hue, is a type of amphibole asbestos known for its fine, needle-like fibers. This specific form of asbestos has been deemed the most hazardous due to its brittle nature, which makes it more likely to break apart and become airborne, posing serious health risks.
Characteristics and Uses of Chrysotile Asbestos
Characteristics:
Chrysotile asbestos, often referred to as “white asbestos,” is the most prevalent type of asbestos. Recognizable by its curly fibers, chrysotile is distinct from other types of asbestos, which typically have straight, needle-like fibers. Its flexibility and durability make it a favored material in various industrial applications.
Common Uses:
- Construction Materials:
- Widely utilized in building materials, chrysotile asbestos serves as an effective insulation component. It has historically been a key ingredient in roof sealants and pipe insulation.
- Automotive Industry:
- In the automotive sector, this asbestos variant finds its place in brake linings, brake pads, and clutches due to its resistance to heat and friction.
- Industrial Applications:
- Power plants and nuclear generators often use chrysotile for insulation purposes because of its ability to withstand high temperatures without degrading.
- Textile Manufacturing:
- Its flexible nature makes it suitable for weaving into textiles, where it is used to produce protective clothing and other fire-resistant materials.
- Miscellaneous Uses:
- Beyond these applications, chrysotile can be found in products like caulking, plastics, furnaces, and boilers.
Chrysotile asbestos’s widespread use is largely due to its unique properties that make it ideal for both heat resistance and insulation. However, it’s crucial to handle it with care due to the known health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
Characteristics of Crocidolite Asbestos
- Color: Ranges from lavender to deep blue.
- Structure: Composed of fine, sharp fibers, making it particularly dangerous when inhaled.
- Durability: Although durable, the brittle nature increases potential for fiber release.
Historical Uses of Crocidolite Asbestos
While its use is now banned in most developed nations, crocidolite asbestos was once prevalent in several industries:
- Thermal Insulation: Used extensively for its insulating properties in sheets and sprays.
- Manufacturing: Integrated into plastic products for added heat resistance.
- Construction: Occasionally found in cement products and pipe insulation.
The unique properties of crocidolite asbestos made it a favorable choice in various applications before its risks were fully understood. However, due to its highly hazardous nature, its use has been largely discontinued worldwide.
Additional Job Sites and Businesses Associated with Asbestos Use in Kansas City, KS
Many different businesses and workplaces in the city used asbestos, not just chemical and manufacturing companies:
Plants and Power Stations
- Kansas City Corrugated Plant
- Kansas City Public Utilities
- Kaw Power Station
- National Farms Power Plant
- Owen Plant
- Quindaro Power Plant/Station
Hospitals, Libraries, and Schools
- Kansas City Library
- Kansas City University
- University of Kansas Medical Center
Oil Companies
- Independent Oil & Gas
- Phillips Oil Refinery
Additional Businesses
- Armco Steel
- Board of Commissioners of Kansas City
- Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac Assembly Division
- Colgate Palmolive Plant
- Commerce National Bank
- CONSOL Energy
- Corn Products Refining Company
- Kansas City International Airport
- Plibrico Sales & Service
- Schwarzschild and Sulzberger Company
- Sunshine Bakery
- Union Pacific Railroad
- Sunflower Army Ammunition
Asbestos in Older Buildings
The construction industry used asbestos in many materials that went into buildings. Those constructed before the 1970s often still contain asbestos. They posed a risk to workers in the past and continue to put people in harm’s way.
In 2018, a Lawrence developer was found guilty of violating the Clean Air Act when he removed asbestos from a country club building. A jury convicted him of failing to notify authorities of the asbestos, failing to wet the asbestos during demolition, and failing to dispose of the asbestos appropriately.
Even when unscrupulous companies don’t knowingly violate safety laws, older buildings in Kansas City put people at risk of exposure. Over time, asbestos materials deteriorate and can expose residents in homes and workers in commercial or public buildings.
-Donald H.
Great people. Helped my family through our meso diagnosis.
Mesothelioma Treatment in Kansas City
Backed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Kansas Cancer Center (KCC) is a leading medical center that provides comprehensive treatment options for people with asbestos-related diseases.
In addition to innovative treatment and care, KCC offers cancer research, education, and clinical trials, provided by some of the country’s most prominent physicians, nurses, researchers, and scientists.
North Kansas City Hospital Medical Plaza
2750 Clay Edwards Drive, lower level
North Kansas City, MO 64116
Kansas City Hospital
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, Kansas 66160
How Much Is a Mesothelioma Claim Worth?
Compensation depends on your diagnosis, exposure history, and the type of claim. The table below shows the main paths and typical ranges.
| Claim type | What it covers | Typical range / source | Lawsuit needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos trust funds | Claims paid from bankrupt asbestos manufacturers’ trust funds | $30B+ available across active trusts; each trust sets its own payout schedule | No — filed directly, often in months. Trust fund payouts → |
| Mesothelioma settlement | Negotiated recovery from solvent companies that caused the exposure | Averages ~$1M–$1.4M (varies widely by case) | Yes — a lawsuit is filed; most cases settle before trial |
| Wrongful-death claim | Filed by a surviving spouse or family after the patient has passed | Medical bills, lost income, and loss of companionship | Yes — must be filed within the state deadline. Wrongful death → |
| VA benefits | For veterans with an asbestos-related disease from military service | VA disability compensation plus health care (not a lawsuit) | No — a separate VA claim. Veterans benefits → |
Kansas City Legal Help and Additional Information
If you’ve been injured by asbestos, there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
