A Beloit, Wisconsin man has claimed that a building he purchased from the City of Beloit has asbestos issues. Dan Langone filed suit against the city because he alleges the city failed to address asbestos issues when the building was sold to his company, Belcoat Corporation Inc., reports Beloit Daily News.
The property, located at 1515 Yates Ave., was purchased by Belcoat Corporation Inc., in 1998. The building was formerly used by the City of Beloit’s Public Works Department.
Langone claims the city promised to provide a clean property, rid of all environmental conditions and hazardous material. He also claims a letter was provided to his attorney, indicating the city’s contractor removed asbestos from the building, before it was purchased.
Asbestos is a highly toxic material, found in many older homes and buildings. When disturbed, the material can pose a serious health risk to those exposed. Extended exposure to the material has been known to cause several diseases, including malignant mesothelioma–the most aggressive asbestos related disease.
Due to a latency period of 10 to 50 years, even the best mesothelioma doctors fail to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease. Because of this, many patients are faced with short life expectancy periods. At mesothelioma clinics nationwide, oncologists recommend a combination of chemo and radiation and often also perform surgery on mesothelioma patients in an attempt to increase their survival rate.
Despite the city’s reported claims that the asbestos was removed, the material was discovered in November of 2008. Following this discovery, Langone launched a full investigation, and determined significant amounts of asbestos remained.
The motion hearing is scheduled for September, and the trial is scheduled for November 1st.