Is Georgetown University Liable for Negligently Exposing Students to Asbestos?

Exposure to aerosolized asbestos causes lethal, incurable diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. With this in mind, you might think that Georgetown University would have responded to a recent discovery of potentially aerosolized asbestos in University-owned, on-campus housing by relocating student residents during the carcinogen’s removal. Incredibly, it didn’t.

Instead, the University strictly followed standard operating procedures. As Dean of Students Dr. Todd Gambill explained, “We hired Interstate Environmental Services to abate [the] asbestos, as is standard.” Although the University removed the hazardous asbestos, it might have forgotten to first remove something more important: the students.

Georgetown University is hardly alone among American universities with asbestos-filled college dorms. If you have a college-aged child, you should investigate whether your loved one is sleeping in a building insulated with asbestos. The threat to their long-term health is serious – and as Georgetown’s response shows, you should think twice before trusting your child’s health to university administrators. For more information about asbestos, its health effects and how you can defend your rights, call Fears | Nachawati at 1.866.705.7584 or send us an email at info@fnlawfirm.com. We can fight for you!