A. B. Brown Power Station: Asbestos Exposure and Your Rights in Indiana

The A. B. Brown Power Station in Owensboro, Kentucky, a regional electricity source, reportedly used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during construction and operation. Workers, their families, and former employees at the plant may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. This exposure can lead to severe health conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you or a loved one worked at A. B. Brown and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, you may claim compensation. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer Indiana residents trust can help evaluate your case.

URGENT INDIANA FILING DEADLINE WARNING: If you are an Indiana resident diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, the Indiana asbestos statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of diagnosis (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is generally two years from the date of death (Ind. Code § 34-23-1-1). It is critical to act quickly to preserve your legal rights. While most asbestos trusts do not have strict time limits, their assets deplete over time. Do not delay. Contact an asbestos attorney Indiana immediately to discuss your options and ensure you meet the asbestos lawsuit Indiana filing deadline.

For a list of potentially asbestos-containing products and their manufacturers associated with power generation facilities, refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk.

Asbestos Use and History at A. B. Brown Power Station and Your Indiana Mesothelioma Settlement Potential

The A. B. Brown Power Station, owned and operated by Owensboro Municipal Utilities (OMU), started Unit 1 operations in 1979 and Unit 2 in 1980. During its construction and maintenance, asbestos-containing materials are alleged to have been widely present in the plant’s infrastructure.

Asbestos was a common material in the power generation industry until the late 1970s and early 1980s. It offered heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and insulating properties. A. B. Brown came online late in the period of widespread asbestos use. However, existing stockpiles of ACMs or materials installed during the initial construction phase could have contained asbestos. Maintenance, repair, and renovation activities on older components or systems may have disturbed previously installed asbestos-containing materials, potentially leading to asbestos exposure Indiana workers experienced if they traveled for work.

Where Asbestos-Containing Materials May Have Been Present, Impacting Your Lake County Asbestos Lawsuit

At a power station like A. B. Brown, asbestos-containing materials were reportedly used in many areas and components. The plant’s high-heat and steam operations required asbestos. Areas where workers may have encountered ACMs include:

  • Boilers and Turbines: Equipment such as the Riley Stoker boiler for Unit 1 (commissioned 1979) and the General Electric steam turbine for Unit 1 (commissioned 1979) required extensive insulation (per EIA Form 860 Annual Electric Generator Report). Boiler casings, drums, and associated piping were often insulated with asbestos-containing block insulation, insulating cement, and lagging.
  • Piping and Valves: Miles of steam and water pipes throughout the plant were wrapped in asbestos-containing pipe covering. Gaskets and packing material in valves and pumps also frequently contained asbestos.
  • Ductwork: Air and ventilation ducts were sometimes insulated with asbestos-containing materials.
  • Electrical Components: Electrical panels, wiring insulation, and conduit may have contained asbestos.
  • Refractory Materials: Furnaces and other high-heat areas used asbestos-containing refractory bricks and cements.
  • Fireproofing: Structural steel beams and columns were often sprayed with asbestos-containing spray fireproofing.
  • Brakes and Clutches: Heavy machinery and equipment, such as cranes or forklifts, may have had asbestos-containing brake linings and clutch pads.
  • Floor and Ceiling Materials: Asbestos-containing floor tile, ceiling tile, and acoustical panels were also commonly used in industrial settings.

For details on specific asbestos-containing products that may have been present at power plants, consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk. If you were exposed at A. B. Brown or other sites and reside in the Lake County area, a Lake County asbestos lawsuit may be a viable option.

Occupations with Potential Asbestos Exposure at A. B. Brown and the Need for an Asbestos Cancer Lawyer Gary Indiana

Any worker at the A. B. Brown Power Station could have been exposed to asbestos. This applies especially to those involved in construction, maintenance, repair, or demolition. Trades that may have faced high risks include:

  • Insulators (Laggers): Applied, removed, and repaired asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and lagging on boilers and pipes. This work often created significant airborne asbestos dust. Union members from locals such as Heat and Frost Insulators Local 37 (Louisville) or Local 51 (Knoxville) may have worked at the site. For Indiana residents, Asbestos Workers Local 18, representing insulators in Indianapolis and other parts of Indiana, may have had members involved in similar work at facilities like Cummins Engine in Columbus or the steel mills in Northwest Indiana.
  • Pipefitters: Cut, fit, and installed pipes. They disturbed asbestos-containing pipe insulation, gaskets, and packing materials. Members of UA Local 562 (Plumbers & Pipefitters) or other regional locals may have been involved. In Indiana, pipefitters from locals serving areas like the Lake County steel corridor (e.g., U.S. Steel Gary Works, Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor, Inland Steel East Chicago) would have performed similar tasks.
  • Boilermakers: Constructed, maintained, and repaired boilers. Boilers were heavily insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Their work involved grinding, welding, and cutting through asbestos-containing components. Boilermakers Local 27 (St. Louis) or other regional locals may have worked on the boilers. Indiana’s Boilermakers Local 374, covering much of the state, would have members with extensive experience in such high-risk activities at various industrial sites.
  • Electricians: May have encountered asbestos in wiring insulation, panel boards, and conduit while working on electrical systems.
  • Maintenance Mechanics/Millwrights: Performed routine repairs on various plant equipment, including pumps, motors, and machinery. This work may have disturbed asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, or insulation. For instance, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1014 members at U.S. Steel Gary Works or similar unionized workers at other Indiana facilities performed comparable maintenance.
  • Laborers: Assisted other trades, swept work areas, and handled materials. This work potentially exposed them to asbestos dust.
  • Welders: Welding near asbestos-containing materials could release fibers. Welders sometimes used asbestos blankets or gloves for protection.
  • Operating Engineers: Operated and monitored the plant’s machinery. They may have been exposed to airborne fibers during routine inspections or in areas where maintenance work was performed.

Family members of these workers could also have faced secondary exposure. Asbestos fibers may have traveled home on clothing, tools, or hair. If you are seeking an asbestos cancer lawyer Gary Indiana based on exposure at A. B. Brown or similar facilities, it’s crucial to consult with a legal professional.

Exposure to asbestos fibers, even in small amounts, can lead to serious and often fatal diseases. These diseases may not appear until decades after the initial exposure. The latency period for these diseases can range from 10 to 60 years.

  • Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer. It primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), but can also occur in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Asbestos exposure almost exclusively causes it.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease. Inhalation of asbestos fibers causes scarring of the lung tissue. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.
  • Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is higher for individuals who also smoke.
  • Other Asbestos-Related Cancers: Studies suggest a link between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of cancers of the larynx, pharynx, stomach, and colon.

If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, exploring an asbestos trust fund Indiana claim could be a critical step.

Individuals diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after working at the A. B. Brown Power Station, or their surviving family members, may claim compensation. Legal options include:

  • Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously: Many companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy. They established trust funds to compensate victims. Victims can also file personal injury lawsuits against manufacturers documented on the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for this facility type. These manufacturers are responsible for their asbestos exposure. These lawsuits seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In cases of wrongful death, family members can file claims to recover damages. Potential venues for such lawsuits in Kentucky include the Jefferson Circuit Court (Louisville) or Fayette Circuit Court (Lexington). For Indiana residents, common venues include the Lake County Superior Court (for those exposed in the Northwest Indiana industrial corridor) or Marion County Superior Court (for those exposed in the Indianapolis area or central Indiana).

Act quickly. Each state has specific statutes of limitations, which set deadlines for filing legal claims.

In Kentucky:

  • The personal injury statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease (KRS § 413.140).
  • The wrongful death statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of death (KRS § 411.130).

In Indiana:

  • The personal injury statute of limitations for asbestos-related diseases is generally two years from the date of diagnosis (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4).
  • The wrongful death statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of death (Ind. Code § 34-23-1-1).

Contact an Experienced Asbestos Attorney Today

Asbestos litigation is complex. It requires extensive knowledge of asbestos-containing products, historical job sites, and medical evidence. An experienced asbestos attorney Indiana specializing in asbestos litigation helps victims understand their rights, identify responsible parties, and pursue legal action. Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously can maximize compensation for victims and their families.

Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Time is precious. If you or a loved one worked at A. B. Brown Power Station and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, consult with toxic tort counsel immediately. Preserve your legal rights. Call a qualified asbestos law firm today for a free consultation.

Data Sources

Information about facility equipment, industrial materials, and occupational records referenced on this page is drawn from publicly available sources where applicable, including:

If specific equipment or product claims in this article are sourced from a non-public database, the source is identified parenthetically within the text above.

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