Company Fined $25,000 for Illegal Asbestos Disposal

Investigators discovered that, in October 2010, Vision 20-20 hired a company to perform asbestos removal on a building that Vision 20-20 intended to demolish. While Vision 20-20 paid $24,000 for asbestos removal in the roof of the building, no asbestos had been removed from the floor. According to state officials, proper asbestos removal from the floor of the building would have cost approximately $14,000. They allege that Vision 20-20 illegally demolished the building without following proper asbestos removal procedures.

Laws Protect Public from Asbestos Exposure

People who inhale asbestos fibers are at risk of developing serious health complications. Asbestos-related illnesses most frequently affect construction workers and other workers who may have been exposed to the substance on a regular basis. In many cases, the fibers attach to clothing and may affect their family members and other people they come in contact with.

Because asbestos is such a toxic substance, federal, state and local governments have enacted strict rules for asbestos removal procedures. Vision 20-20 is not alone in choosing to ignore proper asbestos removal laws. Unfortunately, illegal asbestos removal procedures continue to be followed all around the country. Companies in violation of asbestos removal laws are putting the public at risk of serious health problems all in the name of saving money.

What Health Conditions Are Associated with Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos is a natural mineral that has been widely used in the construction and automotive industries because of its heat-resistant properties. Until recently, asbestos was commonly used in insulation and other building materials. However, asbestos exposure has been associated with serious health issues, including:

• Asbestos mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Asbestos warts
• Asbestosis
• Pleural plaques
• Pneumothorax
• Diffuse pleural thickening

Most of these conditions set in long after a person has been exposed to asbestos fibers. In the case of mesothelioma, symptoms typically do not manifest until decades after the asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is most commonly caused by asbestos exposure. Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Currently, there is no cure for the disease. Treatment of mesothelioma can involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or some combination of these treatments. Because treating mesothelioma can be extremely expensive, many people have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation for their medical expenses and other losses. Many of these lawsuits have resulted in plaintiffs receiving thousands of dollars in settlements.

Take Legal Action

If you or someone you love has developed an asbestos-related sickness, you may have legal rights. Visit our Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page for more information. If you submit information about your symptoms, and asbestos lawyer will conduct a free case analysis to find out if you qualify to file a lawsuit. Many people have been able to join asbestos class action lawsuits to seek compensation for their asbestos mesothelioma treatment. In some cases, surviving family members are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who has died from an asbestos-related illness.