In Minnesota and beyond, there are many old buildings, homes and factories that contain asbestos. This material is very dangerous to human health. In fact, current data shows there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Workers who are hired to remove asbestos-laden materials must have proper certification to do so.
A builder in another state is facing steep penalties because he deceived those hired by him to remove asbestos from a house that was undergoing demolition. The property owners were given the impression (by the builder) that he was properly licensed to do the work. It was later learned that not only did the builder not have proper certification, but he failed to follow existing safety regulations when he removed asbestos from the property.
The judge overseeing the case that followed also found that the builder allowed others to enter the property without protective gear, which would have placed any and all of them at risk for asbestos injuries. The most prevalent types of injuries related to asbestos are mesothelioma and asbestosis, both incurable lung diseases. The maximum fine for the violations the builder committed is $20,000.
The judge who ruled on this asbestos exposure case set an initial fine of $10,000 in light of the fact that the builder’s company had entered liquidation earlier in the year. Any Minnesota resident who suffers asbestos injury because a licensed professional did not fulfill a fiduciary duty to maintain safety on the job may seek legal accountability through the civil justice system. Since this is a type of personal injury claim, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff; thus, it is always a good idea to enlist support from an experienced personal injury attorney when presenting evidence in court.
