Upstate N.Y. Sees Numerous Asbestos Exposure Complaints

Upstate N.Y. Sees Numerous Asbestos Exposure Complaints

By John Curran

Upstate New York holds just 60 percent of the state’s population, but also has the overwhelming majority of its natural resources. As the country moves from a manufacturing economy to one that predominantly provides services, one of the remnants of a bygone age is the ongoing effects of asbestos exposure in former industrial regions.

One of those centers is in Syracuse, New York, where a former Nestle plant owner may go to prison for up to five years for failing to follow proper asbestos remediation procedures as required by the Clean Air Act. Many workers under Edward Palmer may face mesothelioma side effects from working with the fibrous compound without the benefit of wetting it down to prevent it becoming airborne.

Whistleblowers helped to build the case, worrying about the impact asbestos exposure could have as they worked on the chocolate plant without the benefits of ventilators and other equipment. Nearby, a Syracuse grand jury is seeking information about similar offenses in Rensselaer, New York where the Hilton Center was the target of a federal raid. Developer Arthur Hilton reportedly pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act nine years ago. It represents a second time that employees may have been at risk for a mesothelioma diagnosis years down the line.

While there are several investigations in smaller cities and more rural areas, even New York City has been the scene of efforts by asbestos exposure lawsuit attorneys. Following a plaintiff’s motion, an expert will perform an “in camera” review of documentation of Georgia Pacific’s documentation of studies regarding its products containing chrysotile asbestos. A state appellate court ruled that there was a reasonable question of whether or not the company had covered up its role in supporting research that negated the claims of many patients.

People who may have dealt with these fibrous materials may have legal options available to them. Get help understanding yours with a free consultation with one of our partner asbestos exposure lawsuit attorneys at the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Billions of dollars have been set aside for victims who are able to prove that a company was responsible for their mesothelioma diagnosis, but it is important to act quickly while a patient can still benefit from any legal remedy.