More Indictments for Asbestos Violations
There are many recent cases where contractors and property owners are being charged with violating the Clean Air Act; an environmental act intended to prevent putting anyone at risk of mesothelioma by being exposed to asbestos. If the allegations are accurate, then the most recent case where two contractors and a car dealer in the Seattle area are being accused of such violations is an example of blatant disregard for public safety.
Wolfgang Roempke, owner of Auburn Valley Cars, is alleged to have hired two contractors, Michael Neureiter and James Thoreen, to proved false documents claiming that a diner slated for demolition did not contain any asbestos containing materials. Federal prosecutors further allege that the contractors had full knowledge that the diner did indeed contain asbestos, but instead that Neureiter paid Thoreen $8000 to write a false survey that reported the building free of asbestos.
After submitting the survey to the local federal environmental agency, Roempke then demolished the building, carrying away over a hundred tons of debris.
If the allegations are accurate, then the risk of exposure to asbestos is great to anyone involved not only in the demolition, but also anyone who may handle the improperly disposed of debris.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, that when inhaled can cause a deadly disease called mesothelioma. When asbestos becomes airborne, fibers can enter the body and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Decades later, malignancy develops into mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer.
If you or anyone you know has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please consult with a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible. The disease is deadly, and once diagnosed, many do not live past a year. Treatments can be costly, and usually exposure to asbestos is due to negligence, such as in this case in Auburn. Patients are entitled to financial compensation, which helps to ease the cost of treatments.
If you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos, consult with your physician immediately and make sure to follow through with regular check ups.
