Many job sites in Kansas used asbestos in products and equipment, which led to workers developing mesothelioma and other illnesses. Kansas mesothelioma lawyers are now helping asbestos victims fight for justice.
If you or someone you love suffers from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
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We are happy to assist all cities and towns in Kansas, including:
Wichita Falls, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, Topeka, Lawrence, Shawnee, Manhattan, Lenexa, Salina, Hutchinson, Leavenworth, Leawood, Dodge City, Garden City, Junction City, Emporia, Derby, Prairie Village, Hays, Liberal, Gardner, Pittsburg, Newton, Great Bend, McPherson, El Dorado, Ottawa, Winfield, Arkansas City, Andover, Lansing, Merriam, Haysville, Atchison, Parsons, Coffeyville, Mission, Chanute, Independence, Augusta, Fort Riley, Wellington, Fort Scott, Park City, Bonner Springs, Valley Center, Pratt, Bel Aire, Roeland Park, Abilene, Mulvane, Ulysses, Eudora, De Soto, Spring Hill, Paola, Iola, Colby, Concordia, Tonganoxie, Basehor, Wamego, Goddard, Goodland, Baldwin City, Russell, Osawatomie, Edwardsville, Louisburg, Clay Center, Baxter Springs, Larned, Hugoton, Fairway, Rose Hill, Scott City, Beloi,t Maize, Lyons, Hesston, Mission Hills, Lindsborg, Frontenac, Garnett, Marysville, Holton, Columbus, Hiawatha, Kingman, Ellsworth, Galena, Hillsboro, Osage City, Norton, Girard, Hoisington, St. Marys ,Oaklawn-Sunview, Burlington, and more.
Kansas Asbestos Statistics
While most states have seen more deaths related to asbestos, Kansas still had over 2,100 such deaths between 1999 and 2017.
Just 397 of those deaths were from mesothelioma, while 1,588 resulted from asbestos lung cancer and 129 from asbestosis.
The largest number of asbestos-related deaths in the state came from Sedgwick County.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Kansas ranks 29th in the nation for asbestos-related deaths.
Should I Sue for Mesothelioma?
This is a personal choice, but the truth is that most cases of mesothelioma were caused by negligent asbestos exposure. This means companies can be held accountable.
They can also be held legally liable for your resulting expenses. Most people sue over mesothelioma to get the compensation they need to treat this costly illness.
What to Look for in a Kansas Mesothelioma Lawyer
Taking legal action and suing over mesothelioma is a big step. For the best chance of success, you need an experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyer. When looking for a lawyer in Kansas, consider these important factors:
Relevant experience. Your lawyer should have experience handling asbestos and mesothelioma cases. They should be able to provide evidence of past wins for similar clients.
A nationwide firm. Working with a lawyer in Kansas is important, but they should be part of a firm with jurisdiction in other states. Asbestos cases are not always tried where you live or even where you worked.
Adequate resources. Another reason to choose a lawyer who is part of a larger firm is that they will have the resources necessary to investigate, litigate, and settle your case.
Contingency payment. You should not have to pay any fees if and until they win your case and get you compensation. They should offer a free consultation and contingency payment if they take your case.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Kansas?
Kansas has more than just farming, and some of the biggest industries and workplaces in the state have caused asbestos exposure and illness in workers.
Workers in the aviation industry make airplane parts, including high-friction asbestos-containing brakes for airplanes. Workers who handled them were likely exposed.
Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, has a facility in Kansas where many residents were employed while asbestos was still being used. Other aviation job sites in Kansas include Cessna Aircraft Company and Trans World Airlines, Inc.
Another Kansas company associated with asbestos use is Chanute’s Mid-America Refining Company (MARCO). From 1940 until 1981, MARCO used asbestos throughout the entire job site because of its resistance to heat and fire.
Older buildings in Kansas often contain asbestos and can continue to put workers and residents at risk. In 2005, a Topeka prison was found guilty of violating the Clean Air Act. It risked exposing prisoners and staff to asbestos when it failed to check for asbestos or provide adequate protective gear during renovation work.
Other Job Sites Associated with Asbestos
In addition to aviation and refining companies, other Kansas businesses have been associated with asbestos, including:
Kansas Power and Light
Larned Electrical Light
Mobil Oil Refinery
Municipal Light Plant
Trend Construction Corporation
Kansas State Agricultural College
Eagle Refrigeration Company
Kansas State University
Socony-Vacuum Oil Company
Manhattan Country Club
Bushton Hydrocarbon Plant
Globe Oil Refining Company
Chloride Ceramics Company
Archer Daniels Midland
Prairie Pipe Line Company
Trudeau Port Cement Company
Sunflower Ammunitions Plant
Hercules Powder Company, Inc.
Emporia State Teachers College
Armstrong Contracting & Supply Corporation
Kansas Electric Utilities Company
Kansas Army Ammunition Plant
Kansas Gas & Electric
Kansas Ordnance Plant
Huxtable-Hammond Company, Inc.
Wheatland Electric Cooperative
Kansas City Southern Railroad
Is There Any Naturally-Occurring Asbestos in Kansas?
Most asbestos-related diseases in Kansas were from prolonged daily exposure at job sites. However, the state also has a few naturally-occurring asbestos sites, which have led to some exposure via airborne particles disturbed from the deposits.
Two are in close proximity of each other in the Eastern portion of the state, close to U.S. Highways 75 and 77.
The third site is located in the Southeastern area of Kansas, near Parsons.
Tornadoes and Asbestos in Kansas
Kansas is prone to tornadoes. Tornadoes are extremely destructive, tearing apart buildings and leaving behind a big mess of mangled construction materials.
Unfortunately, the leftover waste often contains asbestos. When older buildings collapse during a tornado, they expose asbestos materials. Residents and rescue and cleanup workers risk exposure.
Kansas Laws That Affect Mesothelioma Cases
How asbestos, mesothelioma, personal injury, and wrongful death lawsuits proceed depends on state laws. A few laws in Kansas impact how your case might proceed, when you can file, and whether or not you can recover damages.
Kansas Statute of Limitations
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-501 et seq. requires the plaintiffs to follow the two-year discovery rule when filing an asbestos lawsuit in Kansas.
If you plan to file a lawsuit, you must do so within two years of the time that the asbestos-related was discovered or should have been discovered.
Wrongful death lawsuits are to be filed within two years of the date of the victim’s death.
These laws fall under personal injury laws in Kansas, as there are no specific laws pertaining exclusively to asbestos.
Secondhand Asbestos Exposure and Take-Home Duty
Most people were exposed directly to asbestos at work. Some people were exposed through secondhand exposure. This occurred when a member of the family or household inadvertently brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing.
Many women developed mesothelioma this way. They laundered their husbands’ clothing, inhaled the attached fibers, and ultimately got sick.
Unfortunately, Kansas law does not allow these victims to sue for damages. Some states have found that companies have a take-home duty, a responsibility to warn workers and their families of the risks of secondhand asbestos exposure.
Kansas does not recognize this take-home duty. A law states that companies are only liable for exposure that occurs on their premises.
Kansas Asbestos Safety Laws
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is responsible for the implementation of asbestos regulations and statutes in Kansas:
Under 65-5302 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated Asbestos Control, all individuals working on an asbestos project in the state of Kansas must first be licensed and certified to work around asbestos.
Kansas follows both OSHA and NESHAP regulations in regard to the disposal of asbestos. Asbestos must be encapsulated in an airtight container and labeled appropriately. Disposal must be in a state-approved landfill for disposal.
Anyone working on an asbestos abatement project must notify the state, in writing, within 10 days prior to the start of the project. All applicable fees must also be paid before beginning the project.
For more detailed information and additional rules and regulation in Kansas, contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 785-296-6024.
Where Can I Get Treatment in Kansas?
It’s best to get treatment from physicians specializing in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) helps cancer patients find the best treatments available by designating facilities. NCI-designated care centers are always recommended for those with asbestos-related diseases.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is an NCI-designated center. An NCI designation means the care center has been recognized for its superior physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals with in-depth knowledge and experience dealing with cancer.
Getting Legal Help in Kansas
If you’ve been injured by asbestos, there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
Paul Danziger grew up in Houston, Texas and earned a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. For over 25 years years he has focused on representing mesothelioma cancer victims and others hurt by asbestos exposure. Paul and his law firm have represented thousands of people diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, recovering significant compensation for injured clients. Every client is extremely important to Paul and he will take every call from clients who want to speak with him. Paul and his law firm handle mesothelioma cases throughout the United States.
