Woman Fired For Pointing Out Asbestos Exposure Collects $100K Settlement

October 29, 2008

A Florida woman received a $100,000 settlement after being fired from her job at York County Pleasant Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mary Ann Gruzs says she was wrongfully terminated after she pointed out possible asbestos contamination at work.

While working in the salon at the nursing facility, Gruzs said she noticed that the floor tiles were beginning to crack and become discolored. She said she spoke to a facility maintenance worker and had reason to believe the damaged tiles contained asbestos.

According to her lawsuit, Gruzs pointed out the damaged tiles to her employer and expressed her concern of harmful asbestos exposure. After several requests from Gruzs, the nursing facility eventually replaced the floor tiles. Still, Gruzs claims her former employer never tested for asbestos and took no precautions when replacing the damaged tiles.

After the new tiles were installed, Gruzs says she requested that the air quality of the salon and surrounding areas be tested for toxic levels of asbestos fibers, but the nursing facility managers, once again, refused.

After repeated attempts to get her employer to test for asbestos, Gruzs said she decided to take matters into her own hands. She took the damaged tiles to an independent laboratory and had them tested for asbestos. The results proved her to be correct, revealing that the tiles and the adhesive backing contained toxic levels of asbestos.

Shortly after the results came in, Gruzs was fired from the salon. She filed a lawsuit claiming that she was fired for speaking out about the asbestos contamination her employers were attempting to cover up. On the other hand, the county claims she was fired for missing three consecutive days of work without calling in.

Asbestos Exposure Attorneys

Because the inhalation of asbestos particles and prolonged asbestos exposure can cause serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, many asbestos exposure victims are entitled to compensation through asbestos lawsuits. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, contact us today to determine if you are eligible for monetary compensation.

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