Amarillo, Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Asbestos Violations

Owner of Amarillo, TX asbestos remediation and removal company enters guilty plea in federal asbestos violation case. Exposure to the dangerous carcinogen is known to cause mesothelioma cancer, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.

In December 2009, the owner of Asbestos Maintenance Services, Inc. in Amarillo, Texas agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to violations of federal regulations regarding the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

As part of the investigation, it was discovered that between July 2007 and May 2009, the business owner instructed employees to store ACM and other asbestos waste at two different locations. The materials had been properly sealed when first stored; however, the bags and barrels had degraded, causing asbestos dusts to be released into the air.

The business owner, who stated he was unable to properly dispose of the ACM due to financial constraints, faces fines up to $100,000 and one year in prison.

Airborne Asbestos Can Cause Serious Health Problems
When asbestos is disturbed, the airborne dusts are released into the air. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they remain in the lungs instead of being expelled by coughing or sneezing.

On a microscopic level, asbestos fibers have sharp, jagged edges that causes them to attach to lung tissues. Over several decades (known as latency periods), the asbestos will eventually cause healthy lung tissue to scar. Serious scarring will cause the lungs to be unable to work properly, and serious chronic diseases such as emphysema, pleural plaques disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asbestosis will develop.

In more serious cases, the asbestos-scarred lungs will begin to produce abnormal cells. These abnormal cells will then form into the lung tumors that cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Lifelong Risks After Exposure to Asbestos
The Amarillo residents who live or work near the area where the asbestos was illegally stored face a lifelong risk to develop asbestos disease. Because of the asbestos latency periods, those who were exposed in their 20s may not develop symptoms of an asbestos disease until they are in their 50s or 60s.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we may be able to help you to seek justice for your illness and file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Please complete the form on this page for a free and confidential review of your potential asbestos lawsuit or request a free copy of our asbestos sourcebook. A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.