Fresno, CA Approves Emergency Resolution to Repair Art Museum Roof: Damage Includes Removal of Asbestos

Virtually every community in the U.S. faces serious asbestos issues when needing to repair or renovate an aging town office building, courthouse, library or other public use building. In Fresno, CA, the need to perform emergency repairs is complicated by the presence of asbestos materials in the building.

Those who have been exposed to asbestos face considerable risk to develop serious illnesses. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis, complete the form on this page for more information about your legal options.

On February 4, 2010, the Fresno City Council unanimously approved an emergency resolution for a one-time waiver of the city’s requirement for competitive bidding to hire contractors to perform repairs on city-operated properties. The waiver was needed in order to approve the hiring of a contractor to repair and replace the heavily damaged Fresno Art Museum roof.

The 50-year old building’s roof had been deteriorating, and recent rain damage has caused electrical and other fire hazards. In addition, the damage has caused asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, ceiling adhesive and wallboard to deteriorate. Asbestos-containing debris and dusts have reportedly fallen onto art installations, employee desks and the museum floor.

The city’s resolution allowed a Fresno-area contractor to be hired at a cost of $241,000. The passing of the resolution will allow the project to begin quickly, and be completed within 6 weeks.

Asbestos Abatement Will Be Required
Since asbestos-containing materials (ACM) have been damaged, asbestos abatement must first be conducted before the roof repair and replacement work can begin.

Federal and state regulations require that all sources of ACM that will need to be removed must be identified, and a certified asbestos contractor must be hired to remove and dispose of all asbestos materials.

The asbestos abatement must be performed before any other work can be done to repair the damaged roof in order to prevent any possible exposure to the dangerous carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Those who inhale asbestos dusts and fibers are at lifelong risk to develop serious pulmonary diseases many decades after they are exposed.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, our lawyers 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.