When Asbestos Remediation Fails:
Before the 1980's, nearly every building in the U.S. had asbestos in its construction materials. Asbestos was everywhere, from popcorn ceilings to plaster walls, flooring, insulation, and HVAC systems. Now, regulations prohibit using more than a small percentage of asbestos in building materials, but many older buildings across the U.S. already contain cancer-causing materials. Finding asbestos is common when it’s time for necessary repairs or renovations. Before beginning major work, asbestos remediation is often needed to protect the workers and inhabitants of the building.
Asbestos Remediation
A recent story out of Lake Charles, Louisiana, demonstrates what can happen when renovations or repairs reveal asbestos in the structure. Hurricane Laura hit the historic downtown Central School Arts and Humanities Center in August of 2020. Two months later, Hurricane Delta caused further damage when water got into the exposed roof, displacing tenants with short and long-term leases.The contract for repairs originally totaled $2.56 million, but remediation became more complicated when the contractor found asbestos in the wall and ceiling plaster materials. The change order to properly remediate the building amounted to more than half a million dollars. While the city balked over such a large increase, what happened in Lake Charles shows the fine line many municipalities and companies must walk between financial economy and protecting workers and inhabitants of older buildings.
When Remediation Fails
If a building owner fails to take the proper precautions during remediation, workers and inhabitants of the building can pay the price. While undisturbed asbestos in a building may not typically harm people, when a building is damaged, renovated, or deteriorates, building materials can release asbestos fibers into the air and water. Asbestos is a lightweight mineral, allowing people to inhale or ingest it unknowingly. Once there, asbestos can lodge in the lungs or other parts of the body, causing long-term damage, including cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
You Need Trusted Legal Advice
If you or a loved one face a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation. You’ll need an experienced legal team by your side, like the skilled mesothelioma lawyers at the Madeksho Law Firm. Give us a call at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online. Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover money on your behalf.
