Nassau Coliseum Faces Asbestos Exposure Class Action Lawsuit

After an employee at the coliseum complained about workplace safety, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the arena for 16 safety violations and proposed a fine of $88,000. OSHA’s investigators also found that the building’s maintenance workers and electricians were exposed to asbestos in several parts of the facility.

Current and former employees will be the likely plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit. OSHA has confirmed that facility workers were exposed to asbestos. However, the agency found that the venue’s patrons were not at risk. The asbestos was located in areas that guests did not access.

Asbestos Commonly Used in Buildings

Nassau Coliseum was built in 1972, before the risks associated with asbestos exposure were known. During this time, asbestos was widely used as insulation in both residential and commercial buildings. As the building aged, it required renovations. The workers who completed these renovations were exposed to the asbestos fibers. After the asbestos was discovered, the arena was closed for a short time.

Because the use of asbestos was so widespread, it is still present in many older buildings. There has been much debate about how to handle the situation, as asbestos removal is extremely expensive. Buildings with asbestos insulation generally pose little health risk to people, as long as it remains undisturbed. However, as buildings age, they often require maintenance and repair. Asbestos is most dangerous when the fibers are disturbed and float freely through the air. When the fibers are released into the air, people in the vicinity breathe them into their lungs. The workers hired to perform this maintenance in buildings with asbestos are at heightened risk of developing health problems from asbestos exposure.

Major Health Risks Associated with Asbestos Exposure

The use of asbestos, a known carcinogen, has been banned in many countries around the world. Asbestos exposure can contribute to a range of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma, a fatal disease. Mesothelioma generally does not develop until decades after the exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• Chest pain
• Painful coughing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Lumps of tissue on the chest

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is a good idea to contact an asbestos attorney immediately. Once you receive the diagnosis, you only have a limited time to take legal action. By joining an asbestos class action lawsuit, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. While mesothelioma has no known cure, a legal settlement can provide you with a significant amount of money to help you pay your medical bills.

To find out more about your legal rights, visit the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. If you submit information about your asbestos injuries, a mesothelioma attorney will conduct a legal evaluation, free of charge. If you qualify to join an asbestos class action lawsuit, the attorney will contact you to discuss your legal options.