Asbestos News Roundup: 12.10.09

December 10th, 2009. By AbiK

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news, asbestos lawsuits and settlements, and information that you should be aware of. 

Asbestos Lawsuit 

Rome, Italy: No, this isn’t in the US, but it’s getting worldwide attention… Stephan Schmidheiny of Switzerland and Jean-Louis de Cartier of Belgium have been charged—as key shareholders in the construction company, Eternit, which closed its Italian operation in 1986—with spreading asbestos fibers over large areas in northern Italy. How? The powdery fibers were the result of roof covering and pipe production at several plants they operated in the region. 

As reported, the trial opened this week in Turin. The lawsuit alleges that Schmidheiny and de Cartier were ultimately responsible for the asbestos-related deaths of hundreds of Eternit factory workers and local residents. In addition, about 3,000 victims and their families have joined a civil lawsuit attached to the criminal proceedings. 

The trial is expected to last up to two years. If convicted, Schmidheiny and de Cartier could face up to twelve years in prison. They both deny any wrongdoing. (Associated Press)

Asbestos Settlement

Washington, DC: Richard Pullman, a former Smithsonian Institution worker, has settled his asbestos lawsuit with the Institute. Pullman, who worked at the National Air and Space Museum for 28 years, was an exhibit specialist who worked on walls containing asbestos. He subsequently was diagnosed with Asbestosis. 

The settlement is for $233,000, and the Smithsonian also agreed to pay 65% of Pullman’s health insurance for nine months. Pullman also won a claim for worker’s compensation coverage that had been on appeal after being initially denied a year ago. The worker’s compensation claim allows Pullman to receive benefits and reimbursement for asbestosis-related treatment if he becomes disabled or dies from the disease. (The Washington Post) 

Asbestos Hot Spot

Martinsburg, WV:  The Dunn Building at 400 W. Stephen Street is closing to the public and employees starting tomorrow, Friday, December 11^th at 5:00 p.m. until at least the start of business on December 18^th for asbestos removal. Several government offices for Berkeley County are located there, as well as the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. 

Asbestos was detected around a skylight above the central atrium in the building. Both the skylight and roof are being replaced as part of a $4.3 million project that will also include replacing the building’s HVAC systems. (The Journal, journal-news.net)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

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