Wisconsin Inmates File Lawsuit Over Asbestos Exposure

A group of Wisconsin prison inmates recently filed a lawsuit over allegations the plaintiffs are suffering asbestos exposure almost daily due to the facility and state’s negligent management of the institution. According to the federal asbestos lawsuit, 10 inmates at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution say the prison is exposing inmates and workers to dangerous levels of black mold, asbestos, and lead-contaminated water.

Filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, the asbestos lawsuit claims the prisoner-plaintiffs suffered continuous exposure to asbestos and asbestos-related materials such as lead, lead filings, radium, and rust particles in the prison’s water supply. The lawsuit further claims that the plaintiffs suffered arbitrary denial of access to sanitary cleaning supplies to prevent the spread of disease and bacteria.

The suit seeks about $5 million in damages, as well as an emergency investigation and testing of all buildings at the prison, and evacuation of all inmates and staff from the facility. The latter demand for emergency transfers to minimum-security correctional facilities comes in the form of a preliminary injunction and restraining order filed by the inmates. It is unclear if the group has outside legal counsel in the asbestos cancer lawsuit.

Asbestos was once commonly used in a variety of applications, including building materials in the form of insulation, drywall, and vinyl floor tiles, just to name a few. However, once the federal government began to heavily regulate asbestos in the 1970s, it was all but banned from new commercial and industrial uses but still remained in structures erected before the regulations took effect.

To this day, millions of structures remain standing that contain asbestos in some form, leaving ticking time bombs across the country that could potentially expose innocent people to deadly carcinogens if reasonable precautions are not followed. When innocent people are exposed to even a few asbestos fibers, the resulting health conditions can be potentially serious and life-altering, as thousands of families have found over the decades.

One of the most serious conditions associated with asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer directly associated with exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma affects the thin lining of tissues surrounding the heart, lungs, and abdomen and can quickly spread to other parts of the body. Because mesothelioma symptoms do not often present themselves for decades after exposure, patients can be left with diminished treatment options.

When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness, the law gives that person legal rights to hold wrongdoers accountable. By filing an asbestos cancer claim, plaintiffs can recover damages for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs.

Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyer 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.