Asbestos News Roundup: 1.21.10

January 21st, 2010. By LucyC

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

Asbestos Lawsuits

Henderson County, TX: The widow of Michael B. Brashers, who was diagnosed with and subsequently died of asbestos mesothelioma in April 2008, is suing eight corporations alleging that her husband’s death was wrongfully caused. Specifically, Katherine Brashers alleges that her husband developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure at his work at Union Oil Company of California between 1963 and 1998. 

The companies named in the suit include: Able Supply, Ametek, Champlain Cable Corp., Guardline, Hercules Inc., Jett Weld Inc., Union Oil Company of California and Westinghouse Electric Co. Among the charges, the companies stand accused of failing to adequately warn Michael Brashers of the serious health hazards related to asbestos exposure and failing to provide what would be considered adequate and safe working apparel. (SE Texas Record)

Jefferson County, TX: Chevron has been named as defendant in an asbestos lawsuit filed by four Texas residents who allege that the lung cancer and pulmonary asbestosis their father developed subsequently caused his death on March 21, 2008, and that his death was wrongfully caused.

Vergie Foreman, Clara Foreman, Darrell Foreman and Darnell Foreman claim that their husband and father, Jesse Foreman, worked as a pipefitter helper, insulator trainer and instrument mechanic, and that during the course of his work he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers. They further claim that Chevron failed to provide adequate warning of the serious health problems associated with asbestos exposure, and failed to take necessary precautions to ensure he was not exposed to asbestos products. (SE Texas Record)

Illegal Asbestos Removal

Chattanooga, TN: An anticipated trial pertaining to allegations that salvage company owners and contractors conspired to improperly remove a significant amount of asbestos from a former plant is set to begin. As reported by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, three defendants will go on trial in February after being accused of illegal asbestos removal during a demolition project in 2004 and 2005. 

An indictment regarding the case is quoted in the report as stating of the matter, “Asbestos was removed without wetting with knives, chisels, saws, forklifts and by hand; thrown out of windows; swept up using brooms and loaders; pushed into open piles; stored on-site in open dumpsters; sorted by hand; hidden in dumpsters; transported off-site without providing for proper labeling or shipping; and disposed of off-site at facilities not authorized to accept asbestos.” (Wired PR News)

Concord NH: A 63-year old woman who illegally disposed of asbestos that originated from her home renovations, has been sentenced to nine days in prison, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General. In fact, Lourdes Ramirez-Crusellas, who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct, received a suspended sentence of 12 months with all but nine days suspended. She has also been fined $4,000 fines and the cost of proper disposal of the asbestos to Keene State college, where she dumped the asbestos. (WCVB TV5 ABC Boston)

 

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma. NSL

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