Family of Former Penn State Employee Files Asbestos Cancer Lawsuit Against University

The family of a former Penn State University professor recently filed an asbestos cancer lawsuit against the school alleging that the victim passed away from mesothelioma cancer that he developed after years of working in dangerous conditions at the educational institution. The lawsuit seeks to recover compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering and hold the university responsible for knowingly placing the victim at undue risk in unsafe work environments.

According to the mesothelioma cancer lawsuit, filed in a Pennsylvania state court in Pittsburgh in 2016, the victim developed mesothelioma as a result of working in buildings which the university knew were constructed with asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles and insulation. The lawsuit alleges that the victim was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in 2014 and passed away just four months later, 12 years after retiring from teaching as a wood sciences professor.

The asbestos cancer lawsuit against Penn State cites a study conducted by the university in the 1970s which showed that almost one hundred buildings on its campus were built with asbestos materials. However, despite this knowledge, the school eventually ceased asbestos abatement in 1989 after administrators cited budgetary concerns, noting that “In all future projects, our goal should be to minimize the removal of asbestos to only what is absolutely required. Obviously, this will help us a lot in the area of project budgets.”

The lawsuit goes on to allege that as late as 2006, the University was aware that as many as 500 other buildings on campus also could contain deadly asbestos fibers. The issue of asbestos abatement and removal has become a topic for concern for educators in the state, particularly in Philadelphia where teachers have raised grave concerns about their working conditions at schools.

Asbestos was once commonly used in the construction industry as an insulation material and in floor and ceiling tiles for its heat resistant properties and ability to be molded to fit a variety of industrial and commercial applications. However, asbestos is a deadly carcinogen and is directly linked to developing mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer which commonly affects thin linings of tissue surrounding vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity.

The plaintiff’s lawsuit is significant because workers are ordinarily not allowed to file civil lawsuits against their employer over medical conditions developed as a result of injury during the course of employment. However, the state of Pennsylvania passed a law which allows workers to proceed with claims against employers for negligence and not face restraint from workers’ compensation laws.

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If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.