Investigation of Alleged Illegal Asbestos Removal at Worchester, MA Work Site

Violations of federal and state regulations regarding the removal of asbestos debris resulted in the indictment of a Worchester area contractor and a property management firm. These alleged violations put those who live or work in the area at risk to develop a number of serious asbestos-related diseases many years after their exposure.

If a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis, our attorneys can provide important information regarding your legal rights and options.

On March 17, 2010, the Quincy Cove reported that a grand jury had returned indictments in a case involving the alleged illegal removal of asbestos from a work site in Worchester, MA. The indictments were filed against both the owner of a construction company and the manager of the property management company that hired the construction contracting company.

The two men were indicted on charges of allegedly violating federal Clean Air Act, allegedly failing to file required notices of the planned asbestos abatement and removal with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and the alleged improper disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

The investigation into the case centered on work being conducted in 2007 in a building across the street from the Worchester, MA Superior Court. The joint investigation began after a MassDEP inspection in August 2008 in which inspectors determined that asbestos removal was taking place.

The investigation, which was conducted jointly by MassDEP, the Massachusetts Environmental Crimes Strike Force (ECSF) and Environmental Police Officers assigned to the Attorney General’s Office ultimately determined that ACM debris was allegedly being illegally removed from the building site, and that windows in the building were left open while the asbestos abatement and removal was taking place.

Public Health Risks Caused by Alleged illegal Activities
The alleged environmental violations placed all those who performed the demolition work, as well as all those who live or work in the area where the asbestos removal work took place, at lifetime risk to develop any number of serious or life-threatening diseases caused by exposure to the dangerous cancer-causing mineral many years after they were exposed.

Asbestos has long been classified as a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Countless scientific and medical scientific studies have determined that even individuals with extremely limited exposure to asbestos dusts still face a high risk factor to develop asbestos-related diseases 30-40 years after first exposure (called “asbestos disease latency periods”).

This high risk for everyone—whether exposed a single time, through secondhand exposure or significant long term exposure—is caused by the structure of microscopic fibers themselves.

When asbestos fibers are breathed in, the sharp, jagged edges on the fibers cause them to attach inside the lungs rather than being expelled like other airborne irritants by coughing or sneezing. These tiny fibers attach inside the lungs, where they cause health lung tissues to scar.

Over several decades, the scarring in the lungs can cause serious breathing problems to develop such as asbestosis, emphysema or pleural plaques disease.

Tragically, the asbestos-scarred lungs will sometimes begin to produce abnormal cells. When these abnormal cells reproduce and cluster, they form the tumors that cause mesothelioma cancer and asbestos lung cancer.

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.