|
Article Excerpt
From coast to coast, workers are blaming courthouses laden with asbestos, mold, poor ventilation systems, and other health hazards for ailments that range from headaches and nausea to serious respiratory problems and cancer. As workers' compensation claims pile up, trial attorneys in states from California to Massachusetts are joining justice system employees in taking private companies and government officials to court over "sick" courthouses.
Sometimes the problems stem from the buildings' old age; other times, from renovations meant to improve the facilities. In the Salinas, California, courthouse in Monterey County, asbestos-abatement work has been conducted with people in the building. Last September, the entire courthouse was temporarily shut down due to asbestos contamination. Its north wing had been closed previously on several occasions for the same reason.
In October, Monterey County Superior Court Judge Albert Maldonado, his former bailiff, and a courthouse maintenance worker filed lawsuits against the two contractors overseeing renovation of the north wing for injuries resulting from exposure to asbestos and other toxic chemicals. All three plaintiffs are suffering from similar respiratory problems, said their attorney, James Spiering of Monterey.
"When you release those types of toxic substances and they are micro in size, you're in effect poisoning people who are in that area without protective gear," Spiering said.
The lawsuits seek medical expenses and exemplary damages against contractors Skanska USA Building and Nova Partners, as well as their respective project managers. Noting that the effects of asbestos exposure may not be fully known for 10 to 20 years, Spiering said the lawsuits seek compensation to meet...
|
|
More articles from Trial
Debunking NHTSA myths in trucking litigation: jurors put a lot of fait..., February 01, 2007
In the eyes of the beholder: your client crashed into a stopped vehicl..., February 01, 2007
Saving negligent entrustment claims: for more than 50 years, courts ha..., February 01, 2007
The 'smart' air bag case: air bags are intended to save lives, but the..., February 01, 2007
How to challenge a black box report: automakers often point to data fr..., February 01, 2007
Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.
Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication
name or publication date.
About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company
analysis or best practices in managing your organization,
Goliath can help you meet your business needs.
Our extensive business information databases empower business
professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible,
authoritative information they need to support their business
goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting,
company research or defining management best practices -
Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.
|
|
