Weitz & Luxenberg Responds to Incidence of Illegal Asbestos Abatement.NEW YORK -- "What makes the case of the Callahan asbestos removal investigation particularly disheartening dis·heart·en tr.v. dis·heart·ened, dis·heart·en·ing, dis·heart·ens To shake or destroy the courage or resolution of; dispirit. See Synonyms at discourage. was Callahan's exploitation of the homeless by needlessly exposing them to asbestos," said Patti L. Burshtyn, an attorney in the Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. Asbestos Litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. department. John Edward Callahan was found to have hired untrained homeless individuals to perform asbestos abatement work, placing them and the public at large at risk for exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen carcinogen: see cancer. carcinogen Agent that can cause cancer. Exposure to one or more carcinogens, including certain chemicals, radiation, and certain viruses, can initiate cancer under conditions not completely understood. . The Virginia man was sentenced last month to 21 months in prison for violating federal environmental laws. In March 2004, Callahan, a two-time convicted felon, was contracted to remove asbestos from a building in Roanoke, Va. He then commissioned indigent indigent 1) n. a person so poor and needy that he/she cannot provide the necessities of life (food, clothing, decent shelter) for himself/herself. 2) n. one without sufficient income to afford a lawyer for defense in a criminal case. workers to perform the abatement, paying them an hourly wage of just $10. Callahan instructed those in his charge to cut the asbestos without wetting it, a clear violation of federal regulations pertaining to the proper removal of asbestos. Callahan also broke federal laws related to asbestos disposal, improperly labeling bags of the material. These bags were taken to a landfill site that had a section designated for asbestos waste, but, due to the mislabeling mislabeling, n 1. the inaccurate identification of a product in which the label lists ingredients or components that are not actually included within the product. 2. , were dumped in the general trash. Ms. Burshtyn explained that given the long latency period for developing asbestos-related disease after exposure to the mineral, these workers may develop mesothelioma Mesothelioma Definition Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease that causes malignant cancer cells to form within the lining of the chest, abdomen, or around the heart. Its primary cause is believed to be exposure to asbestos. or asbestos-related lung cancer 30 or 40 years in the future. "In addition to the myriad economic and health issues the homeless face every day," said Ms. Burshtyn, "these workers were unwittingly exposed to a toxic substance and may potentially contract a fatal lung disease as a result." Weitz & Luxenberg is known for its preeminent role in the prosecution of asbestos cases. In 2007, the firm won a $37 million asbestos verdict in two lung cancer cases in a reverse bifurcated trial. The firm also secured a $25 million jury verdict in 2006 in a trial against DaimlerChrysler AG for a New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. brake reliner who lost his right lung to mesothelioma. In 2002, the firm won a $53 million verdict for a brake mechanic suffering from mesothelioma, and a $49 million verdict for a boilermaker boil·er·mak·er n. 1. One that makes or repairs boilers. 2. Slang A drink of whiskey with a beer chaser. boilermaker Noun a person who works with metal in heavy industry who died from mesothelioma. People who have been harmed by asbestos can contact Weitz & Luxenberg at www.weitzlux.com. You may also contact the Client Relations at 1 (800) 476-6070 or via e-mail at clientrelations@weitzlux.com. About Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. Weitz & Luxenberg, founded in 1986, is one of the leading plaintiffs' litigation law firms in America. The firm has played leading roles in national and local litigations involving asbestos, DES, silicone breast implants, medical malpractice, and general negligence, among others. A forerunner in the legal fight against environmental polluters, Weitz & Luxenberg has worked with clients harmed by MTBE MTBE Methyl-tert-butyl-ether Surgery An aliphatic ether that rapidly dissolves cholesterol stones in vivo, introduced under local anesthesia via a percutaneous transhepatic cholecystectomy catheter, as a non-invasive method for treating gallstones; after injection, and mercury, among other toxins. The firm has won numerous cases involving dangerous pharmaceuticals, including Vioxx, achieving a $13.5 million verdict against Merck & Co. The firm's other active pharmaceutical litigations include actions against the manufacturers of Bextra, Celebrex, Ortho Evra and Seroquel. |
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