A New Jersey teacher and her husband have filed a personal injury lawsuit against the school district where she taught for years, accusing them of negligence in having exposed her to asbestos dust and fibers.
Teacher Says School System Concealed Danger of Asbestos
Rachel and Stephen Tyler’s lawsuit against the Burlington Township School District accuses the school system of concealing the presence of asbestos in her workplace at the B. Bernice Young Elementary School on Neck Road in Burlington, New Jersey. The 54-year-old woman was diagnosed with appending cancer in 2024 after having taught at the school from 1996 through 2010.
Like many mesothelioma victims, Mrs. Tyler says that her appendix cancer is a direct result of her years working as a first grade teacher at the school, which only has classes for pre-kindergarten children through first grade. Her lawsuit asserts that she spent the majority of her teaching time in the school’s “D” wing and that she was present when asbestos abatement was performed in that area.
School Buildings Built Before the 1980s Often Contain Asbestos
The school building where the former teacher suffered her occupational exposure was built in the late 1960s, a time before the public was aware of the dangers of asbestos. At that time and until the early 1980s, the carcinogenic material was a common component of construction because of its characteristic strength, fire resistance, and insulating ability. In response to the presence of asbestos, school buildings undergo frequent inspections to see whether asbestos is present and, if it is, whether it is friable and in need of removal. The Tylers’ suit says that in the case of the Young Elementary School, the removal process was done in a way that did not provide adequate protection.
According to the 13-page claim filed in Burlington County Superior Court, “Throughout her time at the premises, she was exposed to asbestos and asbestos-containing dust, fibers, and debris, including but not limited to pipes and insulation, roofing, ceiling, and flooring, without any respiratory protection or warnings.” The couple says that the school’s failure to warn of the dangers of exposure delayed her diagnosis and treatment.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
