Fearing a future marked by mesothelioma or other serious illness, three former employees of a Los Angeles area churchhave filed suit, claiming they were exposed to asbestos while working on a rushed school construction project. Mauricio Calderon, Jose Lara, and Chad Pritchett allege that supervisors at Grace Community Church lied about asbestos test results and then fired them for raising safety concerns about the cancer-causing material.
Mesothelioma Risk Hidden from Workers During Demolition
The workers’ lawsuit details how mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases became a concern when tile flooring that appeared to contain asbestos was found at a $4 million property in Los Angeles’ Arleta neighborhood. Job site supervisor Gabe Pidal allegedly told the workers that lab tests showed no asbestos, directing them to continue removing 2,000 square feet of flooring without protective equipment. The workers later learned that Pidal had never actually conducted the promised testing, potentially exposing them to mesothelioma-causing fibers.
Working without proper safety equipment, the employees brought potentially deadly asbestos dust home on their clothing, where family members—including a newborn infant and an immunocompromised wife—were exposed to materials that could cause mesothelioma decades later. They say that the rushed timeline to open Grace Academy’s new school location by August 2025 led church leadership to cut corners on safety protocols designed to prevent mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Lawsuit Reveals Cover-up of Mesothelioma-Causing Exposure
Mr. Calderon says that when he independently tested samples and discovered asbestos levels above EPA limits, church facilities head Morgan Hughes dismissed the findings and pressured the workers to drop the matter. He reportedly acknowledged that Pidal struggled with “the sin of lying,” but urged Calderon not to pursue the asbestos issue, despite the risk of mesothelioma in exposed workers and their families.
After California’s Cal/OSHA opened an investigation into the asbestos exposure and mesothelioma risks, church elder Dave Muxlow gave the three plaintiffs two weeks to resign. When they refused, citing retaliation concerns over their safety complaints, Muxlow fired all three workers. Cal/OSHA ultimately cited Grace Community Church for failing to properly inspect the site and protect employees from asbestos, resulting in a $1,125 fine. The workers are seeking at least $75,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress related to their exposure and subsequent retaliation.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or a related disease after being exposed to asbestos, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
