Brayton Purcell LLP

Call For A Free Consultation
800-598-0314

Call For A Free Consultation 800-598-0314

Brayton Purcell LLP
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Our Beliefs
      • Giving Back
      • Our Associations And Memberships
      • The Right To Trial By Jury
    • Regions Served
    • Careers
    • Our Employees Pets
    • Press Releases
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Mesothelioma/Asbestos
    • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
    • Toxic Substances
    • Estate Planning
    • Other Areas Of Practice
  • Court Successes
    • Trial Verdicts
    • Appeals
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Our Beliefs
      • Giving Back
      • Our Associations And Memberships
      • The Right To Trial By Jury
    • Regions Served
    • Careers
    • Our Employees Pets
    • Press Releases
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Mesothelioma/Asbestos
    • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
    • Toxic Substances
    • Estate Planning
    • Other Areas Of Practice
  • Court Successes
    • Trial Verdicts
    • Appeals
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Contact

Sonoma State University Denies Danger of Asbestos in School Buildings

On Behalf of Brayton Purcell LLP | May 13, 2016 | Asbestos

SSU_sign_4625.png

After an environmental health and safety specialist was forced to resign after repeatedly raising concerns about the levels of asbestos on the Sonoma State campus, he is filing a lawsuit against the University, located in Northern California. The school admits that there is asbestos present in its buildings on campus, but deny that it poses any danger to students and faculty.

The lawsuit alleges that University supervisors ignored Thomas R. Sargent’s warnings about asbestos contamination and then retaliated against him when he reported it to the authorities. The lawsuit, filed in May 2014, seeks around $15 million in general and punitive damages from the CSU system.

After finding high levels of asbestos on a windowsill, Sargent became concerned that fibers were being dispersed throughout heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system of six buildings. “The university [then] did its own testing with a different method and results.” Sargent is not convinced the testing met professional standards.

The California State school is also alleged to have tampered with evidence in two instances:

  • Classes and offices were extensively cleaned against a judge’s order before a test for asbestos
  • Email communications regarding the whistleblowing and asbestos issue were inappropriately deleted by the University president

The school newspaper reports that teachers are choosing alternate locations – away from their offices and classrooms — to meet students. Some students believe that Stevenson Hall, the building at the center of the controversy, is “not a safe place on campus.”

Would you feel safe sending your child to school showing high levels of asbestos in classrooms and offices? Please share your thoughts within a comment below.


Sign at the main entrance to the Sonoma State University Campus. by Stepheng3

Source: Press Democrat

Recent Posts

  • Is there a gender-based disparity in mesothelioma survivability?
  • Asbestos imports in the United States double from the previous year
  • U.S. asbestos imports jump in 2020
  • The dangers of homes built with asbestos
  • Four jobs at risk of asbestos exposure

Archives

Categories

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Free Consultation

Take The First Step In Resolving Your Issue. Send Us An Email.

Email Us For A Response

San Francisco
Bay Area Office

222 Rush Landing Road Novato, CA 94945

Novato Office
222 Rush Landing Road
Novato, CA 94945
Toll Free: 800-598-0314
Phone: 415-898-1555
Fax: 415-898-1247

Map & Directions

Southern California
Office

12 28th Street Venice, California 90291

Los Angeles Office
12 28th Street
Venice, California 90291
Toll Free: 800-598-0314
Phone: 415-898-1555
Fax: 415-898-1247

Map & Directions
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Brayton Purcell LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters

Review Us