LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION
Asbestos Lawsuit Against Smithsonian Settled
Washington, DC: A 54-year old former employee of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum has been awarded a $233,000 settlement ending his lawsuit against the institution.
Richard Pullman, a former exhibit specialist, worked for the museum for 28 years, during which time he frequently had to saw and drill into the interior walls of the museum. However, it wasn't until 2008 that he and his colleagues were informed that those walls contained asbestos. He now has asbestosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling fine airborne asbestos fibers.
According to the terms of the settlement published in the Washington Post, Pullman received $154,000 in August and will receive $79,000 in severance pay. The Smithsonian also agreed to pay 65 percent of his health insurance for nine months.
The Smithsonian commissioned an independent report to look into the asbestos situation, and the consultant has recommended changes in procedures, training and inspections at the buildings, to locate toxic substances throughout the massive complex. The Smithsonian failed, reportedly, to maintain complete records of asbestos-containing material, so workers had insufficient information as to the whereabouts of the toxic substance, and how to work around it.
Published on Dec-11-09
Richard Pullman, a former exhibit specialist, worked for the museum for 28 years, during which time he frequently had to saw and drill into the interior walls of the museum. However, it wasn't until 2008 that he and his colleagues were informed that those walls contained asbestos. He now has asbestosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling fine airborne asbestos fibers.
According to the terms of the settlement published in the Washington Post, Pullman received $154,000 in August and will receive $79,000 in severance pay. The Smithsonian also agreed to pay 65 percent of his health insurance for nine months.
The Smithsonian commissioned an independent report to look into the asbestos situation, and the consultant has recommended changes in procedures, training and inspections at the buildings, to locate toxic substances throughout the massive complex. The Smithsonian failed, reportedly, to maintain complete records of asbestos-containing material, so workers had insufficient information as to the whereabouts of the toxic substance, and how to work around it.
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READER COMMENTS
Gregory Franks
on
Smithsonian and passed away in October of 2007 from cancer.
Over the years, I have moved and lost contact with these proceedings. How do I find out if any settlement payment was issued to me for this matter, and if so what are the steps I need to take to resolve this matter.
Thank you,
Gregory Franks