When a business pays off an inspector to say their building does not have asbestos when it does, it is a serious crime. In fact, it could mean life or death. Asbestos is a deadly substance that can cause mesothelioma or cancer.
About Asbestos
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies six types of asbestos minerals: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Although all commercial forms of asbestos are carcinogenic, there are differences in their chemical compositions.
Asbestos once filled countless U.S. homes and businesses in the form of insulation and heat-protecting materials. Throughout the construction boom following WWII, asbestos was a key element in thousands of industrial and household products, including drywall, wiring, glues, and adhesives, ceiling tiles, cement, and shingles.
Some of these asbestos products remain in old structures and are usually harmless. This is as long as no one disturbs the substance. Workers usually were exposed to the harmful natural mineral while on the job, but others, including their family members, also faced secondary exposures at home and environmental exposures in communities that mined or processed asbestos.
Occupations that are at high risk for exposure in older buildings include firefighters, contractors, demolition workers, electricians, and plumbers.
Asbestos Fraud
In New York City, 17 building inspectors are being charged falsifying business records to the Department of Environmental Protection after their asbestos fraud was revealed. They either lied about asbestos testing results or many didn’t even bother to perform the tests. They inspectors took kickbacks for passing construction projects in the metro area. Their greed exposed workers and people in the vicinity of deadly asbestos. The city doesn’t issue building permits unless a certified asbestos investigator collects samples from a site. Then, the inspector submits lab work to confirm that the structure won’t release the carcinogenic fiber into the air.
The Department of Investigation Commissioner has no idea how many people were exposed because of this asbestos fraud.
Licensed by the Department of Environmental Protection, inspectors must prove there is no asbestos at a property by collecting bulk samples, submitting the samples to a laboratory, and reviewing the test results. Then, they must submit an asbestos assessment report to the DEP. The report must include the building’s location, date and time of the inspection. Each inspection is $250 to $800. The inspectors collected the money but didn’t perform any of the work.
These inspectors put their own financial gain against the well being of New Yorkers. Asbestos is deadly, and they did not care. This was about greed.
If Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
A Complex Litigation attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is critical when seeking help to cover your asbestos-related expenses. Our experienced lawyers are familiar with companies that used asbestos and know which job sites had a significant amount of asbestos use. Also, they know which products contained high concentrations of the toxic mineral.
Also, consultations are completely free, confidential and have no obligation. The Michael Brady Lynch Firm has successfully represented thousands of consumers and recovered millions of dollars for their clients. Our team of attorneys has been recognized as some of the most experienced and successful in the country. Others in the industry seek out our award-winning staff for our knowledge on complex litigation, scientific evidence development, negotiation strategies and trial tactics.
Most of all, our law office is resourceful and dedicated to pursuing any compensation you are due. Because of this, we have also received a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, such as inclusion on numerous Plaintiff Steering Committees. In fact, we will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.