Lawsuits Over Improper Asbestos Removal Help Victims

Asbestos is a highly durable material that was popularly used in the construction industry in the late 19th century to early 20th century. It was well-liked for its fire retardant qualities, for having high electrical resistance, and because it was extremely inexpensive to use. Unfortunately, problems arose when the fibers in asbestos became airborne were then inhaled through the victim’s lungs.

Due to the size of the fibers, the lungs cannot purge them, causing various long-lasting damage. These side effects of asbestos exposure include but are not limited to:

• Asbestosis — Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue that occurs from an acid produced by the body in its attempt to dissolve asbestos fibers. The scarring may eventually become so severe that the lungs may shut down. Asbestosis often takes 10–20 years before any noticeable signs appear.
• Mesothelioma — A cancer of the mesothelium lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. Mesothelioma as no association with smoking; the only established cause is exposure to asbestos or similar fibers. Normally takes 20–50 years to show. Most patients die within 12 months after diagnosis.
• Cancer — Cancer of the lung, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and larynx have all been connected to asbestos. Normally takes 15–30 years to show.

Asbestos-related diseases had been first identified in the late 1920s by medical professionals, and were resolved in secret for a while. However, since the 1970s, mass numbers of asbestos lawsuits have been filed against companies for asbestos exposure. To this day, asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma impact thousands of people each year.

To combat asbestos exposure, asbestos removal has become a thriving industry in the U.S. The Clean Air Act requires that asbestos be wetted during removal and strictly contained, and that workers must wear specialized containment gloves, masks, and helmets. Over the last 10 years, the federal government has prosecuted dozens of violations from companies who did not follow regulation. Most often, these involved contractors who hire undocumented workers without proper training or protection to illegally remove asbestos.

Contractors who ignore the required safety regulations while removing asbestos commit an environmental crime, and run the risk of exposing countless people to potentially fatal lung disease. This crime is taken very seriously.

As an example: W. R. Grace and Company continues to face fines of up to $280 million for polluting the town of Libby, Montana. Grace was court-ordered to reimburse all cleanup costs, even though the bankruptcy court must approve any payments.

Another example occurred in January 2006 with the San Diego Gas & Electric Co. Two of its employees and a contractor were charged violating safety standards, while removing asbestos from pipes in Lemon Grove, California. The defendants were charged with five counts of conspiracy, violating asbestos removal standards, and operating under false pretenses. The workers were convicted and faced a five-year prison sentence, and a $250,000 fine for each violation. In total, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. faced a total of $2.5 million in fines.

If you believe that you or a loved one have been damaged in some way by asbestos or inappropriate asbestos removal, the fight is far from impossible to win. Please visit the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review. If you qualify, you will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket charges or hidden fees. The asbestos lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.