Alabama Asbestos Filled Building Scheduled to Be Demolished
Asbestos is a natural mineral used in many products because it is resistant to chemicals, a conductor of heat and electricity, fire-resistant and virtually indestructible. It has been widely used in manufacturing and was included in many products since the early 1900s. However, some uses of asbestos have been banned as the mineral may cause mesothelioma and other cancers of the lungs, rectum, stomach, oral cavity, colon, larynx or esophagus.
If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or you would like more information about filing an Alabama asbestos lawsuit, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today. We will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can handle your asbestos lawsuits and work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
During the first week of April 2014, NASA notified contractors that it will go out for bids to demolish Building 4202, a six-story facility in the headquarters complex of the Marshall Space Flight Center. The building dates back to 1965, five years after NASA opened, and the demolition is expected to cost between $1 million and $5 million.
NASA made the decision to remove the building to make room for a new office on that site within the next year or two. Rather than remodel the building, as it is not very old, Building 4202 is full of asbestos as the mineral was widely used in the 1960s in ceilings and walls. In fact, according to NASA, the asbestos is such a problem that an entire floor would need to be quarantined and sealed off simply to run new computer cables above the drop ceiling.
NASA estimates it would cost $75 million to refurbish the building, remove the asbestos and bring it up to modern standards. Since the first of the new buildings, 4220, was recently completed for $30 million, it is more cost-effective to replace 4202 with the new Building 4221 as NASA would now have two new energy-efficient buildings that would roughly cost the same amount as refurbishing 4202.
What is Asbestos?
Exposure to asbestos is dangerous because many people are unaware that they are risk. Although an individual may have been exposed to asbestos decades ago, his or her health may still be compromised as it may take between 10 to 60 years for some asbestos-related diseases to manifest.
Most commonly, asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma, an extremely deadly cancer of the membrane that lines the internal organs and abdominal cavity. There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, and its only known cause is asbestos exposure. While the cancer most often occurs in the membrane between the ribs and the lungs, it can quickly spread to the heart or abdominal lining. Workers who were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers before dangers of the mineral were publicized in the 1970s continue to receive mesothelioma diagnoses, resulting in many asbestos lawsuits across the country.
In some asbestos lawsuits, workers allege that their employers knew, or should have known, of the dangers of asbestos and warned their employees of these risks. Additionally, some workers allege in their asbestos lawsuits that they were not provided with the proper safety equipment although their employers had allegedly known of work conditions in which asbestos would be a factor. As a result, individuals across the U.S. are filing asbestos lawsuits in an attempt to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.
Although there is no history of Alabama asbestos mining, use of the mineral spanned multiple industries before it was recognized as a carcinogen. Before then, Alabama asbestos uses included a wide range of applications such as in residential homes and business. Workers may file Alabama asbestos lawsuits if they feel as though their health complications are the direct result of the mineral.
Contact Us With Questions About Alabama Asbestos Claims
If you or someone you love have been adversely affected due to asbestos exposure or if you have questions about filing an Alabama asbestos lawsuit, consider seeking legal counsel to learn more about asbestos lawsuits and the compensation to which you may be entitled. Attorney Group for Alabama is here to answer questions at no out-of-pocket cost, for those who feel as though they have a valid claim. We can also connect you with an Alabama asbestos attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
