Have you or a loved one been given a mesothelioma diagnosis? Mesothelioma is a rare diagnosis, but if you’ve been exposed to asbestos in your life it is a real possibility. Mesothelioma often begins in the lungs by affecting the mesothelium, which is the thin membrane lining the cavity that houses them.
If not caught early enough, it will spread to other major organs, putting your life in jeopardy. As the third largest city in Kentucky, Bowling Green’s industries have put people at risk of asbestos exposure in the past, and some continue to do so. A number of power plants, telecommunication cable systems, and schools in the Bowling Green area have been found to have asbestos. Should you be diagnosed with a disease resulting from exposure to them, it’s not too late for you and your family to get compensated for your damages.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos use has decreased tremendously in the past 40+ years; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration began regulating the use of them in the early 1970s and it has been pretty effectively phased out of major industries and products ever since.
But for many years asbestos had been a major part of construction and a component in a number of products. Asbestos are naturally occurring fibrous minerals in sets of six, with a rare composition that makes it fire retardant. This made it a popular substance for construction and industrial uses.
North American began mining it in the early 1800s, but the peak of asbestos use was after World War II when it was frequently used in the plumbing, shipping, building, and manufacturing industries. One of the other reasons asbestos was so popular was its durability. That is also, however, a major part of what make them risky and hazardous. Their microscopic size makes them extremely easy to inhale.
That becomes a major issue in construction and mining jobs, where asbestos can be broken into pieces and cause a dust that stays in your lungs once inhaled. Mesothelioma could develop as far as 40 years after you have inhaled asbestos, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Who Is Most Likely to be Exposed to Asbestos?
After decades of using asbestos in numerous industries and thousands of products, it’s hard to say just how many workers and their families were exposed to asbestos. However, workers at certain industries located in Bowling Green ran a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos than workers in other industries. The most likely industries include:
- Shipbuilding
- Armed Forces
- Construction
- Power plants
- Commercial product manufacturing
- Railroads
- Telecommunication cable networks
Bowling Green workers with the highest risk of receiving a mesothelioma diagnoses are those who:
- Have been directly exposed to asbestos, in the workplace or somewhere else; or
- Lived with a person that worked with asbestos and brought the fibers home on their clothing, skin, or hair.
Types of Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Typically, mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against a previous employer that used asbestos in the workplace or a business that manufactured and marketed an asbestos product. In a mesothelioma case, two types of lawsuits can be filed:
- Personal Injury Lawsuits: If a person contracted mesothelioma from coming in contact with asbestos they can file a personal injury claim within four years of their diagnosis.
- Wrongful Death Claims: The Kentucky Wrongful Death Statute (KRS 411.130) allows for the family of a person who died from mesothelioma to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages against those responsible for their loved ones’ exposure to asbestos. However, there is a limit on how long the family has to file a lawsuit. It is important to speak with a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible.
In order to file a successful mesothelioma lawsuit, the victim must prove that they were exposed to asbestos, something that probably occurred decades prior. Our attorneys can review the victim’s employment history and establish a connection between their exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis by identifying the source of their asbestos exposure.
Our Helpful Mesothelioma Attorneys
Our experienced attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have witnessed first hand what effect a mesothelioma diagnosis can have on the patient, and their loved ones.
We are aware that bringing a lawsuit is probably not your top priority at this time. That said, if you decide that you would like to file a lawsuit, we will try to make it as simple as possible for you. We are adept at dealing with each step of the legal process, and allow for you to decide how much you would like to be involved in the case.
There is a finite amount of time to file a mesothelioma lawsuit so contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation as soon as possible.
If you choose to hire one of our mesothelioma attorneys to bring a lawsuit against those who are responsible for you or your loved ones mesothelioma, you will not pay us any fees until we recover compensation for you or your family. Get your free consultation today.