Paterson, New Jersey Asbestos Removal Risked Employees’ Health

Accusations of cost-cutting have been put forward by municipal employee union executives, but the local public works director, Christopher Coke, says that the workers were provided masks and gloves to limit their exposure and that tested levels of asbestos were low. However, in New Jersey, to reduce the likelihood of asbestos exposure, licensed contractors do the remediation.

Numerous investigations have been launched in spite of Coke’s claims that nothing was done improperly or illegally. That includes the county sheriff who provided the inmates to the city, the city’s police department and New Jersey Department of Labor officials. Coke says that the city is now soliciting bids for licensed contractors as “part of being in compliance with what” the state requested, according to the Paterson Press.

It is unclear whether or not this was an attempt to reduce costs or because of an actual lack of understanding about the risks of developing mesothelioma through improper asbestos remediation. The protections of masks and gloves were at least more helpful than what was provided to students at an Ohio private school, where nothing was provided to help protect them.

In spite of any other claims, however, it is important to note that billions of dollars have been set aside for people who have developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure through negligence by a company or other organization. Asbestos exposure lawsuit attorneys note that different states have different standards of how much exposure is necessary, so it is important to get qualified legal assistance.

The good news for the inmates and other employees who were doing work at the Paterson municipal office buildings is that it usually takes extensive asbestos exposure before mesothelioma is likely to occur. Still, many people did not realize they were breathing it in until they were diagnosed with the condition.

If a company negligently exposed you or a loved one to asbestos, you do have legal options available. One is to get a free consultation with an asbestos exposure lawsuit attorney by filling out the sort form at the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Medical bills can mount and the decrease in quality of life can be marked, so getting a legal remedy can be the first step in ameliorating that decline.