Blog
CategoriesCourt of Appeals Overturns Missouri Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit
Asbestos is a mineral that is used in the manufacturing of numerous products in the United States, including insulation and other construction materials. Unfortunately, exposure to this fibrous material can lead to the development of deadly cancers, including Mesothelioma.
Property owners and employers have a responsibility to protect the public from exposure to asbestos on their property and any failure to do so can result in the victims taking legal action.
One such case was recently heard by the Missouri Court of Appeals, which could lead to victims receiving millions of dollars in damages. According to a post on Pitch, the court reversed a prior decision by saying the case should be handled as a class action lawsuit.
Court documents show the lawsuit was filed in 2010 on behalf of thousands of employees who worked at the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri. They claim that in 1983, a contractor was hired to renovate the building’s ventilation systems; however, the company failed to shut the system down before doing demolition in a part of the building containing asbestos-laced materials.
This released the asbestos into the air, which was then circulated throughout the building. The plaintiffs say the result was a significant coat of asbestos-containing dust throughout the building. The asbestos remains in the building today.
Experts say anyone who has been in the building more than 80 hours per year is in danger of asbestos exposure and potentially mesothelioma.
At Cofman Townsley Injury Lawyers, we have seen the damage asbestos exposure can cause and our St. Louis personal injury lawyers are hopeful a decision being reached in this particular case can bring peace to the victims.