Brown & Williamson and the Business of Death on a Mass Scale

Tobacco powerhouse Brown & Williamson is no more. But the cancers that its asbestos-filled Kentucky workplace caused live on in those who used to work there. The company was a major player in the tobacco industry, one that not only caused cancer in its customers due to tobacco smoke, but also poisoned its workforce with asbestos.

The company’s headquarters were in Louisville from the 1920s until the late 1990s. Its manufacturing facility at Hill and 16th Street operated until 1982. It employed thousands of Kentuckians over the decades. Brown & Williamson (B&W) was exposed for hiding the deadly dangers of tobacco use and was later folded into a massive corporate restructuring with other companies more than twenty years ago.

Asbestos Exposure at Brown & Williamson

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that is strong and resistant to heat, fire, chemicals, and electricity. Asbestos fibers are also incredibly light, so if they come off a product when it’s installed, removed, or replaced, they can stay in the air for a long time, making it easier for those in the area to inhale or swallow them.

Because the fibers are so durable, the human body can’t destroy or remove them. Over the years or decades, the fibers cause scar tissue, inflammation, and various types of cancer.

B&W’s manufacturing facility was built in the 1920s and shut down in 1982. The plant had extensive asbestos materials throughout to ensure it kept operating. Asbestos was on steam pipes, boilers, electrical systems, and chemical tanks.

Workers in the plant were exposed to asbestos during:

• Construction and installation of equipment
• Maintenance and repair work
• Routine production, especially when deteriorated insulation released fibers into the air

Those in Brown & Williamson’s corporate offices, built in the 1980s, were also at risk. While the use of asbestos was declining, some building materials containing it, like drywall joint compound and electrical wiring components, still contained asbestos. Those involved in the construction and who later worked there could’ve been exposed.

Who Was at Risk?

Several types of employees faced asbestos exposure:

• Construction workers: Pipefitters, electricians, bricklayers, insulators, and boiler makers who installed or renovated asbestos-containing materials.
• Maintenance staff: Mechanics worked on or around insulated piping and machinery
• Production workers: Those not directly handling asbestos often encountered it because it deteriorated over time, and asbestos was in the air
• Anyone in the facility: Once asbestos dust is in the air, on floors, or on equipment, anyone walking through the area could be exposed

Someone could inhale or swallow enough asbestos at the B&W facility, whether they worked with asbestos products or regularly walked through the area.

Diagnosed with Mesothelioma After Working at Brown & Williamson?

If you or a family member worked at B&W and are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you should act quickly. Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer, but treatment options are improving. The sad reality is you may not have as much time to make decisions as you’d like.

• You have a one-year statute of limitations in Kentucky to file a legal claim and seek compensation for what you’ve endured. That may sound like a long time, but it passes quickly, especially when dealing with important health and financial decisions
• Consult with an experienced attorney. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC has a comprehensive knowledge of B&W’s operations and asbestos use, so we don’t “learn while we do”

Filing a claim earlier rather than later may not only help you and your family secure potential compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and family support, but also give us a better chance to fully document your case. This includes what you did at work,  your asbestos exposure, your diagnosis, and treatment history.

Each asbestos claim is someone’s story. We want you to tell yours. First-hand testimony is incredibly valuable. While coworkers can help corroborate details, only you can fully tell your story. Waiting too long could mean losing the opportunity to provide a detailed deposition or participate in your case due to the progression of your illness.

Call Us Today for A Free Consultation

If you or a loved one worked at B&W and is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, discuss your situation and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help by calling our Louisville office at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.