The city administrator and fire chief in Marion, South Carolina face criminal charges for knowingly exposing staff, volunteer workers and community members to cancer-causing asbestos. Both knew that the fire department contained asbestos, but they allowed firefighters and members of the community to use the facility anyway.
About Asbestos
Asbestos is safe when it is in good conditioned and undisturbed. When construction companies renovate these old schools, it kicks up the deadly substance. The project releases the dangerous material into the air and becomes a health hazard. When someone inhales or ingests airborne asbestos fibers, they become lodged in the lining of the lungs. This leads to mesothelioma, deadly cancer.
In rare cases, the fibers may travel to other parts of the body. Then, they can lodge themselves into the linings of the abdomen or heart. Irritation eventually leads to tumor development.
Asbestos Exposure in South Carolina Fire Department
South Carolina Attorney General charged both the City Administrator Alan Thomas Ammons and Fire Chief Ralph Walton Cooper III with misconduct in office, conspiracy to violate the Pollution Control Act, and violation of the Pollution Control Act.
The charge stems from allowing use of the Marion Fire Station between February 1 and May 1 of 2017 even though both knew the building had asbestos. In fact, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) inspected the fire station in October 2016 that discovered the asbestos in floor tiles.
DHEC asked the fire chief and city administrator to close the room in question until they removed the asbestos. However, the fire chief and city administrator allowed fire firefighters, volunteers and community members to use the room regardless of the dangerous material in the air. The unknowing inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to a number of serious respiratory health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Get Help Following a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
It is important if asbestos has been found in your local business, school or factory to read up on mesothelioma. If a doctor has already diagnosed you, you need a complex litigation attorney. A complex litigation attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is critical when seeking help to cover your asbestos-related expenses. Identifying when and where you were exposed to asbestos is crucial to your lawsuit. 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. 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. The industry has recognized our team of attorneys as some of the most experienced and successful in the country. Many 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 received a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This includes being on numerous Plaintiff Steering Committees. We will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.