Lexington, Kentucky’s second-largest city, is known for its widespread use of asbestos dating back to the 19th century. Today, Lexington mesothelioma lawyers are helping victims of asbestos exposure fight back and seek compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Lexington, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and 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
Facts About Asbestos in Lexington
- Fayette County and Lexington have experienced the fourth-highest number of asbestos deaths in Kentucky in recent years.
- The number of deaths related to the rare disease caused by asbestos exposure numbered 105 between 1999 and 2017.
- Lexington is not the region’s most industrial city, but several workplaces over the last hundred years have used asbestos and caused the exposure.
The Connection Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a natural material and human carcinogen, which means it causes cancer. Asbestos was used heavily in many industries until about the 1970s. This includes many workplaces in Lexington.
Workers who handled or worked near asbestos were at risk of inhaling or ingesting the tiny fibers that asbestos materials shed.
Once inside the body, asbestos fibers cause damage to tissues and cells. In some people, that damage results in illness. Asbestos exposure causes:
Asbestos illnesses are almost always caused by negligent workplace exposure. This means that victims can take legal action, make claims, and seek compensation for the resulting expenses.
When Do I Need a Lexington, Kentucky, Mesothelioma Lawyer?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. You can seek compensation and hold the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure accountable for their actions.
Top Lexington, KY, mesothelioma lawyers are available to help. They will review your case for free, provide options, and guide your next steps. They can help you seek compensation through one or more of the following:
- Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit
- Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit
- Asbestos trust fund claim
- Veteran benefits
How Much Compensation Can I Get for Mesothelioma?
Compensation amounts in mesothelioma and asbestos cases vary by individual factors. Your compensation depends on:
- Past and ongoing medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Home care
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Settlements in asbestos lawsuits average between $1 million and $1.4 million. Verdicts in trials are usually much higher. If you seek compensation through an asbestos trust fund, the amount will be less but averages around $180,000.
Lexington’s History with Asbestos
Lexington became an early economic center in Kentucky despite the inland location and away from rivers. While not as industrialized as other nearby cities, Lexington began with a strong hemp manufacturing industry.
Most of the rope used in the U.S. once came from hemp in Lexington’s rope factories. The city helped the development of nearby smaller communities by acting as a hub of banking and commerce.
Asbestos made its way to Lexington during the Industrial Revolution when railroads started connecting geographical regions throughout the country.
By the late 19th century, asbestos-related products were used in many Lexington factories, especially those with steam engines and heavy machinery.
By 1870, as electricity was introduced into communities, asbestos was also used to construct and operate power plants in Lexington.
As the city grew rapidly after World War II, new construction boomed. Much of that building construction used large quantities of building materials made from asbestos. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in many components, including:
- Roofing and siding shingles
- Textured paint
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Hot water and steam pipes
- Insulation, particularly around oil- and coal-fired furnaces
- Stove-top pads, especially those made before 1979
In the 1950s, Lexington was home to several manufacturing companies that may have used asbestos, including Dixie Cup, Square D, and IBM.
Asbestos Exposure in Lexington Veterans
During peak asbestos use in the U.S., the federal government and military branches used the material heavily. Many veterans who served the nation during World War II, in particular, suffered asbestos exposure in military installations nationwide.
The Army Air Force’s Lexington/Bluegrass airbase, where thousands of airmen received flight training, used asbestos. Parts of the old base still exist on the present-day Blue Grass Airport grounds.
Jobs Sites That Used Asbestos in Lexington
Although the city never had the heavy industry of other areas, several job sites still used asbestos in Lexington. These put workers at risk of exposure and may still pose a risk.
Hospitals and Schools
- Chandler Medical Center
- Eastern State Hospital
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Henry Clay High School
- Narcotics Addiction Hospital
- St. Joseph Hospital
- University of Kentucky
- Lexington VA Medical Center
- Central Baptist Hospital
Water, Utilities, and Power Plants/Companies
- American Waterworks Company
- Burnside Power Plant (also known as East Kentucky Power Cooperative)
- Lexington Utilities
- Kentucky Utilities Company
Additional Job Sites and Businesses
- America’s Suppliers Inc.
- Blue Grass Insulation
- Cranfill Frey Company
- General Electric Company (GE)
- Lexington Greyhound Bus Terminal
- I.C.I. America
- IBM
- Blue Grass Airport
- Lexington Blue Grass Army Depot
- Lexington Brewing Company
- Lexington Hydraulic and Manufacturing Company
- Lexington Sewage Treatment Plant
- New Phoenix Company Inc.
- NIMH Clinical Research Center
- Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
- Procter & Gamble
- Schenley Distillers Corporation
- W.T. Young Storage Company
- St. Joseph Hospital
- Old Burley Warehouse
Mesothelioma Treatment Near Lexington
The University of Louisville Health Sciences Center provides comprehensive cancer treatment at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center (JGBCC), around 70 miles from Lexington.
At JGBCC, the primary mission is to discover more knowledge about cancer through translational research while providing patients with professional and compassionate care.
JGBCC’s research focuses on discovering and developing new medications to treat different types of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma.
James Graham Brown Cancer Center
529 S. Jackson Street
Louisville, KY 40292
Phone: 502-562-4673 (HOPE)
Legal Help in Lexington and Additional Information
As previously mentioned, if you’ve been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial 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. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
Ethan A. Flint
Reviewer and EditorEthan A. Flint founded and is the managing partner of Flint Law Firm, LLC. He works in the Paducah, Kentucky office, but the firm now operates in multiple states. He is focused on helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos diseases. He litigates and works on behalf of clients in settlement agreements and has represented thousands of victims of asbestos exposure.
References
- National Park Service. (n.d.). Lexington, Kentucky: The Athens of the West.
Retrieved from: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/lexington/athens.htm - Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos-Related Deaths in Kentucky.
Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/ky/