Illegal Asbestos Testing at Elizabeth, CO Demolition Site Results in Criminal Indictment

A demolition project at an Elizabeth, CO mobile home park was halted after it was discovered that asbestos testing had not been properly performed, leading to a criminal indictment against a man who allegedly prepared fraudulent testing reports. The improper testing placed all those who live or work in the area at risk for exposure to the dangerous, cancer-causing mineral.

If your family is facing a loved one’s diagnosis with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis, please complete the form on this page for important information from our asbestos attorneys about your legal rights and options.

On April 15, 2010, the Colorado Attorney Genera’s office announced they had indicted a Colorado man who allegedly claimed to be a state-certified asbestos testing inspector. Between November 2007 and January 2008, the man allegedly claimed to hold the certification, obtained work and allegedly submitted fraudulent asbestos testing documents to area contractors.

As a result of the man’s alleged activities, he was hired by a Colorado contractor to perform asbestos testing prior to the demolition of a mobile home park in Elizabeth, CO. The man purportedly submitted fraudulent testing results that alleged the area did not contain any asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

As a result, the contractor submitted those documents to the state and began the project. Three mobile homes were demolished before the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) began an investigation and halted the demolition project. After proper testing was conducted, significant levels of asbestos were found at the mobile home park.

Public Health Risks Caused by Asbestos Contamination
The man’s alleged activities placed all who worked on the improper demolition project, as well as those who live or work in the area where the demolition project took place, at lifetime risk to develop a serious asbestos  disease. The time between exposure to asbestos and when symptoms of illness ultimately develop can be over 40 years. This decades-long period of time is known as the asbestos latency period.

The long latency periods are caused by the way asbestos affects the lungs. The sharp edges on microscopic asbestos fibers cause them to attach in the lungs rather than being easily expelled by coughing or sneezing as with other airborne irritants.

The trapped asbestos fibers cause healthy lung tissues to scar over many years, and can ultimately result in any number of serious breathing disorders to develop, including emphysema, asbestosis, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or pleural plaques disease.

Tragically, other asbestos exposure patients develop more serious illnesses when the asbestos-damaged lungs begin to produce abnormal cells. When these abnormal cells reproduce and cluster, they develop into mesothelioma cancer or asbestos lung cancer tumors.

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.