Improper Asbestos Removal Lawsuits

Just about everyone these days knows that asbestos causes cancer. Specifically, it can cause a deadly type of cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers or asbestos dust enter the airway and become lodged in a layer of tissue called the mesothelium.

There is no way to detect the presence of asbestos fibers because they are microscopic in size and require a sample of the tissue to be removed and examined under a microscope.

Once the fibers are embedded in the mesothelium, they can develop or “metastasize” into mesothelioma. These fibers can also cause lung cancer and other respiratory illness.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that is comprised of six silica elements and has been used for thousands of years due to its natural ability to resist heat, caustic chemicals, and electricity. However, it was during the industrial revolution that builders started to use asbestos in nearly all forms of manufacturing including homes, schools, ships, factories, and just about everything else.

Generally, once asbestos is already in place, it is not harmful to humans unless it starts to breakdown or is being removed for renovations or demolition. At this point it becomes friable which means that it can crumble under the pressure of human hands, and it is very dangerous.

As the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tells us, asbestos is typically found in attic and wall insulation containing a mineral known as vermiculite, vinyl floor tiles and adhesives, roofing materials and shingles, drywall joint compound, automotive clutches and brakes, and pipe insulation.

If a property owner wishes to demolish his or her building or perform renovations, the building must first be inspected by a certified asbestos removal company. If asbestos is found, there must be an asbestos abatement process established and work must be performed by a certified asbestos abatement contractor after obtaining all necessary permits.

During asbestos removal, the area must be secured to prevent accidental exposure to workers and others in the community. All workers must be properly trained and provided with ventilators or respirators and protective clothing.

Unfortunately, as our Boston mesothelioma attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have seen, some property owners do not take the proper steps when renovating a building. We have seen all too often that workers are not told about the presence of asbestos and not provided with training or safety equipment.

These workers often carry asbestos laden materials without gloves or masks and do not remove the deadly fibers from their clothing before returning home to their families at the end of the day.

This is not only illegal, but it is also negligent, and can form the basis for a mesothelioma lawsuit. Employers have a legal duty to inform workers of the known risks and hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

One of the reasons property owners are still taking these risks is because the asbestos abatement process is very expensive and they know that it will take between 20 and 50 years for workers to develop the symptoms of mesothelioma. By the time victims develop symptoms, the disease is often in a very advanced stage, and the victim may not have long to live.

Building owners and employers who subjected workers and their families to asbestos were willing to trade their short term profits for the health and safety of their workers. The workers were often not told of the serious risks so there is no way that they could have consented to them.

The willful disregard for the safety of others is the reason juries have been willing to award such high verdicts over the years including punitive damages.

If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, please contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your concerns. We will come to you with a team specifically assembled to investigate your case and fight for the financial well-being of you and your family.

Call (617) 777-7777 – NO FEE UNLESS SUCCESSFUL