The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a news release detailing safety violations on the part of Thompson Building Wrecking Co., Inc., for exposing workers to asbestos during a school demolition project. According to the news release, one willful violation and three serious violations were cited by OSHA, which proposed penalties in excess of $60,000 against Augusta-based Thompson Building. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos on-the-job, you may be entitled to financial compensation for any injuries or medical bills related to asbestos exposure or mesothelioma cancer. Contact our knowledgeable mesothelioma attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak today to explore your possible compensation options.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Cancer Risks

Asbestos is a material commonly used in the past in insulation and in the automotive, construction and other industries because of its sound absorption, tensile strength, and resistance to fire, heat and electrical damage. However, it was discovered in the 1940s that exposure to asbestos dust or fibers on the job put workers at a high risk for a deadly type of cancer called mesothelioma, and the use of asbestos was eventually phased out in the United States beginning in the 1970s. Unfortunately, many older houses and commercial buildings, such as the Grovetown Elementary School in Georgia, may still contain asbestos-based materials – such as certain vinyl floor tile, window putty, cement board and stucco – which could expose workers to mesothelioma and other deadly occupational diseases during demolition.

Wrecking Co. Exposed Workers to Asbestos

The OSHA violations included one willful citation for “knowingly exposing workers to asbestos-containing material by a skid steer loader with a grapple attachment to remove debris from scrap metal.” According to OSHA, the debris contained asbestos material and was permitted to accumulate on the ground, which illustrates the wrecking company’s “intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, with plain indifference to worker safety and health.” Thompson Building was also cited for three serious violations, including: failure to conduct the asbestos removal work within a regulated area to minimize exposure; failure to monitor exposure levels during removal; and exposing workers to inhalation hazards from unbagged asbestos-containing material.

Contact Our Mesothelioma Lawyers for Legal Help

Thompson Building Wrecking Co., Inc. specializes in demolition, large container services and removal of asbestos-containing material. According to Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA’s Atlanta-East Area Office: “Although the employer was aware of the presence of asbestos-containing material and familiar with its hazards, no preventative action was taken to protect employees. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide a safe and healthful workplace.” If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos dust or fibers, consult our workers’ compensation lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak as soon as possible. You may have grounds to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the person or party responsible for the asbestos exposure, in order to seek fair and timely reimbursement for your losses.

Jaret A. Spevak
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Atlanta Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorney With 20+ Years Experience
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