Is your state illegally dumping asbestos, too?
Ingraham Environmental of Butte is suing the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for failing to enforce the state’s strict asbestos-waste laws. The company alleges that the DEQ is allowing some asbestos-containing materials to be dumped in open-air sites at Montana landfills. This poses a danger to workers and anyone who breathes the air around the dump sites.
About Asbestos
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies six types of asbestos minerals: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Although all commercial forms of asbestos are carcinogenic, there are differences in their chemical compositions.
Asbestos once filled countless U.S. homes and businesses in the form of insulation and heat-protecting materials. Throughout the construction boom following WWII, asbestos was a key element in thousands of industrial and household products, including drywall, wiring, glues, and adhesives, ceiling tiles, cement, and shingles.
Some of these asbestos products remain in old structures and are usually harmless. This is as long as no one disturbs the substance. Usually, their job exposed workers to the harmful natural mineral. But others, including their family members, also faced secondary exposures at home. Plus, there are environmental exposures in communities that mined or processed asbestos.
Occupations that are at high risk for exposure in older buildings include firefighters, contractors, demolition workers, electricians, and plumbers.
Asbestos Exposure in Libby
Asbestos laws in Montana are stricter than in most states, partially stemming from the long-running environmental disaster in Libby, Montana, the largest asbestos cleanup project in American history. Health officials estimated more than 400 Libby residents have died and thousands more have been sickened from asbestos-related diseases stemming from 70 years of mining nearby. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has spent almost $600 million cleaning up commercial and residential properties in Libby and surrounding areas. Federal laws regarding asbestos disposal are less restrictive than the state laws.
If the DEQ in Montana is still being haphazard with their asbestos removal even after what happened in Libby, what is preventing your state from acting the same way?
Get Help with a Complex Litigation Attorney
A Complex Litigation attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is critical when seeking help to cover your asbestos-related expenses. Identifying when and where you were exposed to asbestos is crucial to your lawsuit. Experienced lawyers are familiar with companies that used asbestos and know which job sites had a significant amount of asbestos use. Also, they know which products contained high concentrations of the toxic mineral. Consultations are completely free, confidential and have no obligation.
The Michael Brady Lynch Firm has successfully represented thousands of consumers and recovered millions of dollars for their clients. The industry has recognized our team of attorneys as some of the most experienced and successful in the country. Many seek out our award-winning staff for our knowledge on complex litigation, scientific evidence development, negotiation strategies and trial tactics.
Most of all, our law office is resourceful and dedicated to pursuing any compensation. Because of this, we have received a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, such as inclusion on numerous Plaintiff Steering Committees. We will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.
