Emeryville Company Will Pay Families of Asbestos Victims $4.3 Million
The families of three workers in the Bay Area who died of asbestos-related lung cancer have been awarded a settlement of $4.3 million by an Emeryville company. The company, Plant Insulation Company, which was earlier an insulation products contractor was found liable for the deaths of William C. Hearn, a Concord resident, James Harris, of Sacramento County and George Wetch of Sebastopol. Hearn was exposed to asbestos at 59 industrial sites that he worked at during his employment. Wetch was employed at oil refinery plants and chemical factories in Contra Costa County, and Harris worked at Bay Area oil refineries.
Every year, approximately 2500 people die due to diseases caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos for many decades was commonly used in the construction industry, for insulation materials and other uses. Workers who were exposed to asbestos, especially in the construction industry have been found to contract malignant forms of asbestos-related lung cancer called mesothelioma. This disease affects the lining of the lungs. As asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long period of time, these asbestos fibers cling to the lining of the lungs, making it hard and plaque-like. Mesothelioma doesn’t result after just a few exposure incidents to asbestos. Rather, the disease is caused by several years of slow and prolonged exposure to these deadly fibers.
It’s not just those who work in the construction industry who are at risk of contracting mesothelioma. Workers who are employed in the asbestos containment industry, or whose job involves removing dangerous asbestos from buildings are also exposed to these contaminants. Removing asbestos from structures can be extremely dangerous, because the fibers can quickly disperse into the air, leaving them free to be inhaled by workers. Modern buildings have stricter standards that make minimum or no use of asbestos, but older buildings that were built in the years when asbestos was an important part of the construction industry, still contain levels of asbestos which may continue to be harmful to the people who live or work in these buildings. People, who work in government buildings that were built before the seventies, or schools, may be at risk for continued exposure to asbestos.
Over the years, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against employers, and companies that include asbestos in their construction by plaintiffs who have been diagnosed with debilitating illnesses because of this exposure. Besides malignant mesothelioma which can be fatal, exposure to asbestos can also cause non-malignant mesothelioma, as well as asbestosis and other lung conditions. Besides employers who expose workers to asbestos fibers, owners of buildings that continue to contain asbestos can also be held liable for any disease arising out of this exposure. This includes residential and office buildings, schools, government offices and other buildings that may continue to harbor asbestos fibers. Even a demolition company that’s responsible for the demolition of buildings with asbestos, can be held liable if it failed to provide proper safety to people in the vicinity. A California mesothelioma lawyer will be able to answer questions regarding eligibility for compensation for these diseases.
The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of asbestos. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.
