Illinois Man Sentenced in Asbestos-Removal Lawsuit
By Anne Bucher
According to authorities, Bieri had purchased a former industrial site, intending to demolish the asbestos-containing buildings that existed on the property. He hired workers to complete the demolition, but they failed to take proper caution when removing the dangerous asbestos. They also failed to properly label the asbestos waste.
Federal law requires any property owner who intends to conduct work on asbestos-containing buildings to provide written notice to the EPA. Failure to submit this written notice is a punishable offense under the federal Clean Air Act. Bieri admitted that he did not provide any written notice to the Illinois EPA before beginning the asbestos removal.
During the sentencing, the judge stated that Bieri’s actions had put “people’s lives on the line.” Bieri, in interest of saving money, hired untrained and unprotected workers. Because the workers did not take proper precautions while working with asbestos-contaminated materials, they put themselves and others at serious risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
When asbestos is disturbed during renovations or building demolition, it releases fibers that can be inhaled by workers and other people in the area. When these fibers are inhaled, they can cause significant diseases in the lungs and other organs. In most cases, symptoms do not appear until many years after the asbestos exposure occurred. Thousands of people who have suffered serious health problems have filed asbestos lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries.
Asbestos Health Risks
Some of the health risks associated with asbestos exposure include:
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Asbestos mesothelioma
- Pleural plaques
- Diffuse pleural thickening
- Pleural effusions
- Asbestos warts
Because asbestos exposure is associated with severe health risks, the federal government has developed specific standards for asbestos removal. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency have enacted several laws to promote asbestos safety. The federal laws impose penalties on individuals who do not use safe asbestos removal techniques. In addition, many state and local agencies have enacted more stringent standards.
If You Have Suffered Health Consequences from Asbestos Exposure, Learn about Your Legal Rights
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for compensation. In many cases, the first symptoms of asbestos exposure do not appear for many years after the exposure occurred. For this reason, it is often difficult to prove that the symptoms are asbestos-related.
To learn more about your legal rights, visit the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. By submitting information about your asbestos injury, you can find out if you have a legal cause of action. An asbestos attorney will conduct a free case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to file an asbestos lawsuit. If successful, you could recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and other injuries you suffered from your asbestos-related disease.
Updated May 14th, 2013
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
Suing for unpaid wages in California: Recover unpaid overtime, back pay and more
April 2, 2026 | Legal News
