what type of lawyer do you contact for asbestos issues in your condo

by Ms. Kira Steuber Jr. 6 min read

What can I do if my Landlord is resistant to asbestos?

An asbestos lawyer is the only one who can evaluate your case objectively and tell you how much your claim might be worth so donā€™t hesitate to ask for ā€¦

Do asbestos laws apply to landlords in all states?

A lawyer can help you draft an effective letter to your landlord (see below) and talk to you about your legal rights and options for tenants exposed to asbestos. If you are thinking about taking action, like withholding rent, you should first talk to a lawyer who specializes in tenant rights about what self-help measures are allowed under your state and local laws.

What should I do if I have been exposed to asbestos?

Feb 01, 2013Ā Ā· Asbestos in the condominium ā€“ now what? The Condominium Act, 1998, SO, c.19 (the ā€œActā€) is sometimes inaccurately viewed as addressing all things related to the function and maintenance of a condominium corporation. The common law and other legislation greatly affect how a corporation must be managed pursuant to section 27 (1) of the Act ...

How dangerous is asbestos in a house?

Jun 19, 2018Ā Ā· We at FERRO Environmental bring a strong combination of asbestos removal experience and expertise ā€“ including trained and insured technicians ā€“ to readily tackle any job, including Type 1 and Type 2 asbestos abatement work in your condominium.

How many people can you hire for asbestos repairs?

hire any (even just one) outside contractors for repairs or maintenance, regardless of how many units the oversee, or. employ more than ten people. The exact protective measures landlords must take in their buildings varies, and depends on how workers will interact with asbestos.

Is asbestos a health risk?

So long as asbestos is intact, it isn't much of a health risk. However, renovations or other disturbances to a building's structure or fixtures (such as damage from an earthquake, collapse, or even punching a hole in a wall) can release asbestos fibers into the air.

Is asbestos a breach of warranty?

A tenant could argue that because asbestos poses such serious health risks, its presence is a breach of the implied warranty of habitabilityā€”especial ly when signs of deferred maintenance or serious wear and tear indicate that asbestos fibers could be airborne.

Can asbestos be ingested in a rental?

Inhaling or ingesting these fibers can cause mesothelioma and other serious health issues. Just because asbestos is present in a rental does not mean a landlord is legally obligated to remove it. When asbestos is not in danger of becoming airborne through deterioration or disturbance, the law doesn't require removal.

Can you sue a landlord for asbestos?

Because the danger has been disclosed, though, they usually cannot sue the landlord later if the asbestos has not been removedā€”unless the landlord promises to remove the asbestos and then fails to do so.

Is asbestos still used in construction?

Although asbestos is no longer widely used in construction, it is still present in many rental properties built before 1981. Insulation, heating ducts, ceilings (especially "popcorn" ceilings), vinyl flooring, roofing, drywall, and plaster are just a few examples of common asbestos-containing materials in older buildings.

Do landlords have to comply with OSHA?

Aside from the fact that landlords must comply with OSHA's rules (which in effect require all landlords of pre-1981 buildings to take at least minimal protective measures), landlords have a duty under most states' laws to provide tenants with livable rentals.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre-like substance. There are two kinds of asbestos in use: serpentine and amphibole, though the most popular form is serpentine, specifically chrysotile. This form of asbestos has a thin, fibre-like form that can easily be woven, which made it very popular in the construction and manufacturing industries.

A Health Hazard

Asbestos is an easily ā€˜friableā€™ substance, i.e. itā€™s easily crushable into a powdered form that can be inhaled into oneā€™s vital organs. Those exposed to asbestos over a long period of time are at critical risk of developing certain forms of cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos in Canada Ban

The federal government began moving on a complete asbestos ban in January 2018 through its Prohibition of Asbestos and Asbestos Products Regulations bill. Although this legislation will ban asbestos use moving forward, itā€™s unclear how it will address asbestos in existing buildings.

Complying with Condominium Regulations

As it stands today, condominiums are obliged to ensure that there is no risk of tenants being exposed to asbestos. Thus, as long as there is no structural damage to your plumbing, ceilings and/or drywall, then legally speaking, you should be compliant with current regulations.

Repair & Renovations

If youā€™re undertaking a renovation project that could involve disturbing your asbestos containing material, then youā€™re required to follow federal and provincial regulations for asbestos handling and removal. Simply put, any and all exposure to asbestos becomes a compliance issue.

Get Professional Asbestos Abatement Services

To fully ensure compliance, health, and safety of everyone involved ā€“ i.e. from workers, tenants to the surrounding area ā€“ you will require a professional asbestos abatement company to take on your asbestos removal project. Any other way would simply expose your building to severe health risks and, potentially crushing legal issues.

Asbestos ā€“ Why Is It Bad?

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Asbestos is a grouping of six naturally occurring minerals made up of soft, thin, flexible fibers. These specific qualities make this mineral extremely useful, as it offers chemical and heat resistance, strength, and fireproofing. In addition, asbestos acts as an insulator in cloth, cement, plastic, and other materials to makā€¦
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Asbestos ā€“ Where It Comes from

  • Asbestos is located around the world in naturally occurring deposits. In the 1960s, asbestos mining was at its height, with more than 100 operating mines across the country. At that point, open-pit mining was the primary practice of removing asbestos from the ground. Once it was released, asbestos manufacturers processed the mineral to create asbestos-containing materialā€¦
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Asbestos Types

  • There are six main types of asbestos.They include actinolite, chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, and tremolite. These types of asbestos are fibrous and belong to either the amphibole or the serpentine asbestos mineral family. The main difference between the amphibole and serpentine asbestos is its fiber appearance. Amphibole fibers ar...
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Which Asbestos Type Is The Most Dangerous?

  • Studiessuggest that amphibole asbestos is more dangerous than chrysotile. The CDC even indicates that amphibole fibers can stay in the lungs for more extended periods. However, the studies remain inconclusive when it comes to the most dangerous type of asbestos. Yet, even though there may be varying risks, the bottom line is that all asbestos is toxic and dangerous. Nā€¦
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Non-Friable and Friable Asbestos

  • Asbestos materials are either non-friable or friable. The friability will depend on how easily asbestos is broken down by hand. Typically, the friable products pose a greater health risk than non-friable asbestos. 1. Friable asbestos:Generally, this asbestos can break by hand or crumble, quickly releasing these fibers. Thus, they pose a much greater health risk than non-friable asbestā€¦
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Asbestos Use Today and Major Concerns

  • Unfortunately, asbestos is not entirely banned in the United States. Because asbestos is still imported, this mineral is in many products across the country. Additionally, some products are even legally manufactured with small amounts of asbestos. Consequently, the two major concerns with asbestos include:
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Asbestos Exposure ā€“ Common Occupations

  • There have been many occupations that have historically put workers at risk for asbestos exposure. These ā€œasbestos occupationsā€ refer to any job or position that potentially exposes employees and workers to asbestos fibers. These asbestos occupations often involved: 1. Workers who worked with materials or products containing the asbestos mineral. 2. Workers whā€¦
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Avoiding Asbestos Dangers

  • If you want to avoid the dangers associated with asbestos, you need to take specific steps to help prevent this exposure, including:
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Common Injuries/Diseases

  • Asbestos exposure can result in a multitude of conditions including everything from malignant diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, and even ovarian cancer to non-malignant asbestos diseases that range from conditions such as COPD to pleural thickening. In fact, exposure to asbestos remains the number one reason for work-related fatalities in the worlā€¦
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FAQs

  • Individuals exposed to asbestos not only worry about the possible risks of developing certain asbestos-related diseases. But they also stress about the repercussions this exposure may have on their family, financial situation, and overall quality of life. To help answer some of these concerns, we have prepared the following frequently asked questions many individuals have regā€¦
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