Asbestos News Roundup: 6.28.12 – DIY Home Renovation Asbestos Risk

June 28th, 2012. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. An ongoing list of reported asbestos hot spots in the US from the Asbestos News Roundup archive appears on our asbestos map.

Do-It-Yourself Home Renovators and Asbestos Risk

Many people decide to renovate their homes, not knowing fully, the dangers that may lurk within the walls, ceilings or floors of their homes. Those dangers can include asbestos in older homes. For example, asbestos siding was commonly used in construction years ago, making older homes a danger zone for asbestos mesothelioma. Like flooring, siding material was covered by asbestos to make it more durable and fire retardant. When these materials are disturbed—ripped off or torn out for example, they release asbestos fibers into the air, which people in immediate proximity then breathe in.

An asbestos lawsuit brought by an 85-year old construction contractor who developed asbestos mesothelioma as a result of exposure to the carcinogen during his work and renovating his own investment properties, recently resulted in a $48 million settlement. His story is below.

Asbestos Lawsuits

New Orleans, LA: Jereiana H. Relf has filed an asbestos exposure suit naming multiple defendants for allegedly contributing to her secondhand exposure to asbestos.

The lawsuit was filed against Asbestos Corporation Limited et al in the New Orleans Civil District Court alleging at least 13 miners, manufacturers, sellers or handlers of asbestos products should be held responsible for Relf’s exposure to injurious levels of asbestos.

The lawsuit claims that asbestos fibers were introduced to Relf’s household from her uncles, father and husband who all worked with asbestos materials. In addition, Relf claims that her neighborhood as a whole was exposed to asbestos materials via asbestos-containing scrap material in close proximity.

The defendants are accused of knowingly exposing her to carcinogenic materials that resulted in her diagnosis of mesothelioma in March 2012.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical costs, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of quality of life and disability.

Asbestos Settlements

Los Angeles, CA: Bobbie Izell, who worked in construction in the 1960s and 1970s, and his wife have been awarded $48 million by a California court in settlement of their asbestos lawsuit. The lawsuit named Union Carbide and a number of other defendants including Riverside Cement and California Portland Cement Company as defendants.

Izell developed mesothelioma during his 30 year career as a cement contractor in the construction industry. He built thousands of homes, commercial buildings, and churches, many of which contained asbestos. Izell also bought and renovated properties and many of the products he used for the renovation contained asbestos. Consequently, between 1947 and 1980, Izell suffered consistent exposure to the carcinogen.

The asbestos lawsuit was filed by Izell and his wife shortly after Izell was diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma. According to media reports, during the trial Union Carbide argued that Calidria, which is the type of asbestos the manufacture, does or did not cause cancer. However, evidence was produced in the form of corporate memos which revealed that Union Carbide staff and physicians were aware the material was making works ill. However, this information was not made public. (Pol.com)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Exposure, asbestos lawsuit, Asbestos Mesothelioma, Asbestos Settlement

This was posted on Thursday, June 28th, 2012 at 3:45 pm and is filed under Asbestos Mesothelioma, lawsuits, Settlement . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.