Asbestos news by Cooney and Conway, the nation's front-runners in mesothelioma litigation.
Worcester, MA (News)-A Worcester County grand jury handed down indictments against an area contractor and property management firm that were allegedly involved in illegal asbestos removal practices while working at a downtown Worcester building. An investigation by the Massachusetts Environment Crimes Strike Force (ECSF) uncovered several Clean Air Act violations, after discovering a number of serious violations, as reported by The Quincy Cove.
Hammertime Construction owner, Jonathan Gabriel, 45, of Northborough, and 240 Main Street Properties, Inc., the manager of the property located at 240 Main Street, are facing Clear Air Act violation charges. The charges stem from a demolition project that is ongoing at the property, leading investigators to inspect the property in August 2008 .The defendants allegedly failed to properly file notices of asbestos removal with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), thus prompting the inspection. Investigators alleged that the defendants illegally removed asbestos from the building, and failed to follow the required asbestos removal procedures during both demolition and renovation projects, which included containment of the removal site, wetting down of materials that were removed, and tested their air quality after removal.
According to court documents, Gabriel was hired by 240 Main Street Properties, Inc. to remove the interior of a building, located across the street from the highly traveled Worcester Superior Court. While the demolition project was being conducted, the building's windows were reportedly left open, allowing asbestos fiber to drift outside, possibly exposing the public to the carcinogenic fibers.
Once asbestos fibers are airborne, unsuspecting people could inhale the toxic material, which then lodges inside their lungs. Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of aggressive cancers like mesothelioma or other diseases, such as asbestosis. The fibrous mineral is used in a wide array of building materials, such as adhesives and insulation, which are known to kill 100,000 workers worldwide annually, according to the British Medical Journal.
After the 2008 inspection, the Mass DEP issued a stop work order at the property, and the property management company hired a licensed asbestos contractor to continue removing the asbestos-containing materials.
If you or someone you love has developed a life-threatening disease due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Contacting a seasoned mesothelioma litigation attorney may help recover the damages you deserve.
News article by Asbestos mesothelioma litigation attorneys Cooney & Conway
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