Justice for Kentucky Workers Exposed to Asbestos
They knew the risks. You paid the price.
From steel mills in Ashland to auto plants in Lexington, thousands of hard-working Kentuckians were exposed to asbestos on the job with no warning and no protection. Years or decades later, many are now facing devastating diagnoses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
At The Lyon Firm, we fight for workers and families affected by occupational asbestos exposure. Whether you worked in manufacturing, maintenance, construction, or even cleaned a loved one’s dusty clothes, you may be eligible for significant compensation.
Call (513) 381-2333 or contact us online for a free, confidential case review with a Kentucky asbestos attorney.
“In a desperate life-altering crisis, Joe Lyon quietly entered my life. My husband was losing battle with mesothelioma. Joe came respectfully, professionally, kindly, and beneficially towards our family. I felt he was Heaven-sent. It has been an honor to know and work with Joe.“
— Marlene Beal | Client
Why Asbestos Exposure Was So Widespread in Kentucky
Kentucky’s industrial economy was built on power plants, auto manufacturing, chemical production, and metal works. For decades, asbestos was used in nearly every industry as insulation, fireproofing, or to protect machinery without revealing its deadly nature.
Even after safety agencies classified asbestos as a known carcinogen, many companies continued using it without warning their workers.
Common asbestos-containing materials included:
- Pipe and boiler insulation,
- Brake pads and clutch linings,
- Electrical panels and fuse boxes,
- Cement boards and ceiling tiles, and
- Gaskets, adhesives, and refractory products.
As a result, workers and their families across Kentucky were put at risk without their knowledge or consent.
Mesothelioma in Kentucky: A Dangerous Legacy
According to CDC death certificate data and asbestos disease tracking organizations, Kentucky sees approximately 100 asbestos-related deaths each year, including fatalities tied to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.
With a long industrial history of steel, chemical, and utility work, Kentucky ranks among the top 25 states in the U.S. for total asbestos-related disease deaths.
Some of the hardest-hit industries include:
- Steel and metal fabrication,
- Power generation and utilities,
- Chemical refineries and paper mills,
- Automotive manufacturing and repair, and
- U.S. military bases and defense contractors.
ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
“Even a single industrial shutdown could result in long-term asbestos exposure. These are serious, life-changing illnesses, and they were preventable.”
Joe Lyon,
Kentucky Asbestos Lawyer, The Lyon Firm
Confirmed Kentucky Asbestos Exposure Sites
The following are among the numerous major employers and facilities in Kentucky that have been identified as having exposed workers to asbestos.
Metals, Manufacturing, and Energy
- Armco Steel & Oil (Ashland)
- Kentucky Electric Steel (Coalton)
- Bethlehem Mines Corporation (Deane)
- Owens Corning Fiberglass (Louisville & Flatwoods)
- Westinghouse (Louisville)
- TVA Generating Stations (Drakesboro, Central City)
Chemical, Refining, and Distilling
- BF Goodrich (Calvert City, Louisville, Paducah)
- Dow Corning (Carrollton & Louisville)
- Hooker Chemical (Ashland, South Shore)
- Old Crow Distillery (Frankfort)
- Kosmos Portland Cement (Kosmosdale)
Auto and Appliance Manufacturing
- Ford Motor Co. (Louisville)
- General Electric (Louisville & Lexington)
- Chrysler Assembly (Bowling Green)
- Procter & Gamble (Lexington)
Educational and Public Buildings
- University of Kentucky (Lexington)
- University of Louisville
- Countless public school districts built pre-1980
This is not a complete list of Kentucky asbestos exposure sites. If you or a family member worked in Kentucky and later developed an asbestos-related illness, you may still have a claim.
From steel mills in Ashland to chemical plants in Calvert City, workers across Kentucky were exposed to deadly asbestos without a single warning. Decades later, mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis are devastating families.
At The Lyon Firm, we fight for justice when companies fail to protect their own. Call (513) 381-2333 or message us now for a free case review with a Kentucky asbestos attorney.
Common Health Effects From Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that, when disturbed, can be inhaled or swallowed. Over time, these fibers cause inflammation and cellular damage and often lead to deadly cancers or chronic illnesses.
Diseases Linked to Asbestos Exposure in Kentucky
- Mesothelioma (cancer of the lung or abdominal lining),
- Lung cancer (caused or worsened by asbestos),
- Asbestosis (scarring of lung tissue),
- Pleural plaques or fibrosis, and
- Secondary exposure illnesses (from family contact).
There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure. Some workers were exposed once during a plant shutdown and later diagnosed with cancer decades later.
Who Is Most at Risk?
From line workers to veterans, the danger was systemic. High-risk exposure occurred across many jobs, including:
- Pipefitters and boilermakers;
- Welders, insulators, and electricians;
- HVAC installers and mechanics;
- Maintenance crews and janitors;
- Machinists, millwrights, and chemical plant workers;
- Teachers, school staff, and demolition crews; and
- Family members exposed secondhand.
Many claims have successfully been filed by sons, daughters, and spouses of workers who unknowingly brought toxic dust home on their clothes.
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Kentucky
Early, specialized treatment is critical after a diagnosis. Kentucky is home to several mesothelioma and lung cancer treatment centers offering advanced care:
- Markey Cancer Center—University of Kentucky (Lexington),
- University of Louisville Health Sciences Center (Louisville),
- Kentuckiana Cancer Institute (Louisville), and
- National Cancer Institute-designated partners (for referral options).
Treatment often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. It can also result in high medical costs and long-term care needs.
What Compensation Can a Kentucky Asbestos Lawyer Help You Recover?
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you have legal options for financial compensation.
You may be entitled to:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity;
- Travel and lodging for treatment at specialist centers;
- In-home health care or hospice services;
- Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life; and
- Wrongful death benefits, including funeral costs and survivor compensation.
A recent nationwide survey conducted by Martindale-Nolo found that the average mesothelioma settlement ranges between $1 million and $1.4 million. That’s an important benchmark, but outcomes can vary widely based on the strength of your work history, documentation of exposure, and the legal strategy used.
“Clients who hire attorneys tend to receive significantly higher compensation than those who file alone.”—Martindale-Nolo Legal Survey, Asbestos and Mesothelioma Settlements Report
The Lyon Firm has recovered multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for Kentucky families. Our job is to make sure you get what you’re owed—and then some.
Real Results, Real Families
Our Kentucky asbestos lawyers have recovered millions for families affected by asbestos, including those in Kentucky. Recent victories:
- $2.7 million for a former steelworker’s spouse,
- $2.3 million from multiple manufacturers in a wrongful death claim, and
- $1 million for a maintenance worker exposed in chemical facilities.
We handle every detail—investigating each job site, interviewing former coworkers, reviewing vendor records, and filing trust fund and litigation claims strategically.
What Makes These Cases So Complex?
Hear from Kentucky mesothelioma attorney Joseph Lyon as he explains how proving asbestos exposure requires experienced legal representation and medical documentation that spans decades. Even if your former employer is long gone, we can help.
Legal Options in Kentucky Asbestos Lawsuits
We pursue all available avenues on your behalf:
- Personal injury lawsuits (for mesothelioma or lung cancer victims),
- Asbestos trust fund claims (many are still paying out),
- Wrongful death claims (filed by families), and
- VA disability filings (for veterans exposed on bases or naval vessels).
We also evaluate multiple defendant claims since most victims were exposed to more than one asbestos product throughout their careers.
You Still Have Time, But Not Forever
Kentucky law typically gives you one year from the date of diagnosis or death to file a claim. If the deadline passes, your right to compensation may be lost forever.
Don’t wait. We’ll handle the research, paperwork, and claims process, and you’ll pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Talk to a Kentucky Mesothelioma Lawyer Today
If you’re living with mesothelioma or another asbestos illness or have lost a loved one due to workplace exposure, you deserve answers.
Call The Lyon Firm at (513) 381-2333 or contact us online for a free case evaluation with a Kentucky asbestos lawyer. Your consultation is always 100% confidential, and there’s no fee unless we win.
The companies that exposed you had the data. They saw the risk. They did nothing. Now, it’s time to make them answer for it.