Asbestos Exposure at Allied Chemical in Ashland, KY
If you or a loved one worked at Allied Chemical and developed mesothelioma, cancer, or lung disease, you may be entitled to compensation. The Allied Chemical plant in Ashland, KY used asbestos in nearly every part of the building from the boiler room to the ductwork, exposing hundreds of people.
To learn about your rights and to get help now, contact us at Satterley and Kelley, PLLC today. We have over 30 years of collective experience with asbestos cases and extensive experience representing people who were exposed to asbestos in Kentucky and the surrounding area. We can help you get justice.
What Is Allied Chemical?
The Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation was formed by the merger of five chemical companies in 1920. In 1958, the company added gas and oil exploration to its offerings and changed its name to the Allied Chemical Corporation. In 1981, the company shortened its name to the Allied Corporation, and in 1985, it merged with the Signal Companies and became AlliedSignal. In 1999, AlliedSignal acquired Honeywell and took its name.
The company made many different products including Nylon 6, refrigerants, ammonia, and plastic dinnerware. Allied Chemical started in the Northeast, and In addition to the plant in Ashland, the company had several other facilities around the country.
Asbestos at Allied Chemical in Ashland, KY
The Allied Chemical plant in Ashland, KY used asbestos products throughout its facility. The asbestos was used to shield workers and equipment from high heat and corrosion, and it was present in the following:
- Boiler rooms
- Furnaces
- Ovens
- Piping systems
- Pumps, valves, and gaskets
- Ductwork
- Cement flooring
- Ceiling/wall insulation
The above is not an exhaustive list. Most of the major equipment that workers came into contact with on a daily basis contained asbestos, exposing Allied Chemical employees to significant health risks.
(Aerial photograph of Allied Chemical looking North)
When workers built, repaired, replaced, or maintained equipment, microscopic asbestos fibers were released into the air. Once airborne, the asbestos traveled through the building’s ductwork, increasing the exposure area.
Although the risks of asbestos were well established at that time, Allied Chemical never informed its employees about the risks. The company had no safeguards in place to protect its employees or their family members.
The Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure at the Allied Chemical plant caused many people to develop mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer. Exposure can also cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and other types of cancer including larynx and ovarian.
The employees who worked directly with asbestos-containing equipment were exposed. Administrative and managerial staff were exposed as the microscopic fibers floated through the facility. Tragically, the family members of Allied Chemical employees were also exposed when their loved ones unknowingly carried the fibers home on their clothing.
Your Options for Justice
Allied Chemical and many other corporations knew about the risks of asbestos, but despite that, they recklessly exposed their employees and their family members in the pursuit of profits. These corporations should be held responsible for their actions.
Unfortunately, former employees of Allied Chemical cannot sue the company for their injuries. Kentucky’s worker compensation laws prevent you from suing your employer, and due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, most victims do not discover the illness until long after the window for a worker’s comp claim has expired.
However, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against a company that manufactured or installed asbestos-containing equipment at the facility. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another cancer due to your exposure, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to talk about your options.
Justice for Secondary Exposure
Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when someone leaves the primary exposure site and carries the fibers to a different location, creating a secondary exposure. Allied Chemical never warned its employees to change their clothing before leaving the facility. As a result, many people were exposed by doing their family member’s laundry or even by hugging them after work.
If you developed mesothelioma due to secondary exposure, you can bring a lawsuit against Allied Chemical. KY law allows family members to bring lawsuits against their relatives’ employers. A recent decision from the Kentucky Court of Appeals solidified that employers have a duty to protect their employees’ family members from known harm, and asbestos was a known harm during this time.
What to Do if You Are Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
As a victim of asbestos exposure, you should seek legal representation as soon as possible after diagnosis. A personal injury attorney can handle the legal aspects of the case, while you focus on your healthcare and quality of life.
Don’t delay. In Kentucky, you have one year from the date of discovery to file a lawsuit. Although there are some exceptions, in most cases, the date of discovery is your date of diagnosis. The courts are very strict about this deadline.
Get Help Today
You and your loved ones don’t deserve the burden of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or cancer caused by asbestos exposure in the Allied Chemical. But you’re not in this fight alone. We can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and get you the compensation you deserve.
To set up a free consultation, contact us at Satterley & Kelley, PLLC today. You can fill out the online contact form and we’ll get in touch quickly. Otherwise, call us directly at 855-385-9532 or start an online chat now.