Louisville Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma Attorney in Louisville, KY

A Louisville mesothelioma lawyer can assist individuals and families in filing for compensation following an asbestos-related diagnosis due to workplace exposure, exposure during military service, or secondhand exposure to asbestos. Workers in Louisville have been exposed to asbestos-containing products in the city’s many manufacturing facilities, construction sites, power plants, and vehicles. 

If you believe you or a loved one may have mesothelioma, contact a Louisville mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation.

A Firm Built to Handle Complex Asbestos Cases

Kelley Ferraro, LLC, has been representing individuals injured by asbestos exposure and other catastrophic injuries for almost three decades. The firm has served over 40,000 clients across the United States and recovered compensation for families after manufacturers and other large corporations exposed workers to asbestos products. 

With nearly 30 years of experience, Kelley Ferraro, LLC, skillfully merges robust litigation resources with in-depth investigations into occupational exposure histories, asbestos trust fund claims, and complex mesothelioma cases. Partner and author Jim Ferraro wrote “Blindsided” based on his experiences representing clients with life-altering injuries.

Do I Have a Mesothelioma Claim?

Determining where an individual was exposed to asbestos can be difficult, as mesothelioma may not develop for 20 to 50 years. You may have a claim if you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure in Louisville has historically been present in manufacturing facilities, power plants, construction materials, railroads, chemical plants, and older buildings. If you worked near the Ohio River industrial area, along Interstate 64, I-65, or I-71, or knew asbestos was present at your job, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Products containing asbestos were frequently used in industrial insulation and large mechanical equipment.

Common evidence used to assess a claim includes medical evidence of your diagnosis, employment history, military service history, union records, and documentation of the asbestos-containing products used at your former job(s). Exposure can still occur at multiple employers and decades before diagnosis.

Ways to Receive Compensation

Many mesothelioma claims have more than one potential source of recovery. For example, you may be entitled to file a claim against an asbestos bankruptcy trust fund, file a claim against a company that still operates today, file for workers’ compensation benefits, or file a claim for veterans’ benefits if you were exposed while on active military duty.

There may be many manufacturers whose asbestos-containing products were used at the same job site. This can allow you to pursue multiple claims based on a single mesothelioma diagnosis. Recoverable damages may include reimbursement for:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Future medical care
• Pain and suffering

If a victim passes away from mesothelioma, families may pursue wrongful death claims. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, there were 2,709 new mesothelioma cases. In Kentucky, there were 23 cases reported, equaling a rate of 0.4 per 100,000 people. 

Relevant Kentucky Laws

Kentucky law typically allows one year to file a personal injury claim from the time the injury was discovered. Asbestos claims are generally subject to this deadline under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 413.140. Still, mesothelioma often doesn’t manifest until many years, even decades, after the initial exposure, meaning the illness is typically diagnosed much later. Most of the time, this means the one-year filing period begins when mesothelioma is diagnosed.

Kentucky law allows immediate family members to pursue a claim if someone dies from mesothelioma. Known as wrongful death claims, these claims are filed under Kentucky’s wrongful death statute, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 411.130. Like other claims, they have unique requirements and deadlines.

Depending on the specifics of the case, Louisville citizens may be involved in asbestos-related litigation at the Jefferson County Hall of Justice, 600 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

Why Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?

If you have decided to hire a mesothelioma lawyer, your attorney can make it easier to uncover past asbestos exposures from many years ago. Simply put, a mesothelioma claim requires the provided evidence and documentation that many people may not be able to locate on their own. Your lawyer can pinpoint which companies are responsible for manufacturing and supplying the asbestos product you were exposed to. 

An attorney can also assess if you were exposed to asbestos at more than one job, allowing you to pursue compensation from all avenues instead of limiting your recovery to just one.

FAQs

Can Asbestos Exposure Happen Outside the Workplace?

Yes. Although occupational exposure is by far the most frequent way people are exposed to mesothelioma, asbestos can also be present in homes, schools, military housing facilities, and older commercial buildings. Members of asbestos workers’ families can develop mesothelioma by inhaling asbestos fibers that were brought home on clothing or hair. This is referred to as secondary exposure or take-home exposure.

What Documents Should I Gather for My Mesothelioma Claim?

Key documents that you should gather for your mesothelioma claim include your pathology report, imaging studies, medical records, employment records, military records, union information, and any documentation that can identify your previous employers. These documents may be used to confirm your diagnosis and exposure history. 

Your attorney can use this information to determine who the potentially responsible companies are and where compensation may be available.

Can Retired Workers Still File a Mesothelioma Claim?

Yes. Many mesothelioma patients are retired. Since mesothelioma takes so long to develop after asbestos exposure, many people have retired by the time they become ill. Being retired does not disqualify you from filing a claim. If your illness was caused by past exposure to asbestos, you may still be eligible to file a claim, a trust fund claim, or pursue another legal remedy, depending on your specific situation.

What Industries Had the Highest Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

In the past, jobs with a higher risk of exposure included construction work, factory work, power plant operators, shipyard workers, steel mill workers, automobile mechanics, oil refinery workers, and railroad workers. Electricians, pipe fitters, insulators, mechanics, and maintenance workers also regularly worked with asbestos-containing materials during the repair and installation of industrial equipment and buildings.

Discuss Your Legal Options

The stress of a mesothelioma diagnosis can cause you to worry about your treatment options, finances, mesothelioma symptoms, and what may happen to your family. Kelley Ferraro, LLC, has nearly three decades of experience serving asbestos victims from all across the country. We can assess your legal options based on your individual exposure. Contact us today to discover your legal options.