Inmates at McNeil Island state Prison in Washington were forced to remove asbestos-filled tile without the protection of any breathing masks, despite their complaints and requests for safety gear. At least 18 people were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries. Of these 18, 8 were prisoners, 8 were Department of Corrections employees, and 2 were from a flooring contractor's crew.

The prison has been fined before for three other projects completed in late 2007, which also put the prisoners at risk of inhaling or ingesting dangerous asbestos fibers. According to the prison officials, they did not think that the asbestos regualtions stated in the Puget Sound Clean Air Act applied to this situation. Even prisoners deserve to be safe from asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma, the disease that is caused by this kind of exposure, is deadly and can take many years to finally show symptoms.

If you or a loved one believe that you have been negligently exposed to asbestos, visit a doctor for a check up and then speak with a skilled mesothelioma lawyer. Contact the mesothelioma lawyers of Williams Kherkher for more information. Call 800-220-9341 today.