Construction Workers Represented by Galiher Firm
Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman has represented hundreds of clients suffering from mesothelioma, including many who worked during the Hawai‘i construction boom of the 1960s and 70s. Various building tradesmen and contractors such as drywall workers, carpenters, cement workers and others were exposed to asbestos during the construction of many Hawai‘i landmarks such as Ala Moana Shopping Center, the Ilikai, Hilton Hawai‘ian Villages, and numerous other hotels and condominiums.
Most of these buildings were built with asbestos-containing materials. If you worked on the construction of Ala Moana, the Waikiki hotels, or other Hawai‘i high-rises in the 1960s and 70s, and you have an asbestos-related disease, call us so we can help.
The Statewide Construction Boom
After Hawai‘i achieved statehood in 1959, a massive construction boom followed. The 1950s, 60s, and 70s saw the rapid growth of Honolulu, including the opening of Ala Moana Shopping Center in 1959 and the construction of numerous Waikiki hotels and high-rises. The Statehood era also saw the expansion of Honolulu International Airport, building of numerous hotels, condominiums and apartments in Makiki and other parts of Honolulu, highway and other infrastructure improvements and construction of various government buildings and facilities.
Asbestos Use in Construction
Unfortunately for Hawai‘i construction workers, these buildings were constructed with a large number of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was a common ingredient in many building materials during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, when this construction boom was taking place. Some of the materials that contained asbestos included cement, plaster, drywall joint compound, siding, tiles, and even paint. Workers mixed asbestos into the hard-wall plaster in the walls of many high-rise buildings, and sprayed asbestos-containing acoustical plastic on the ceiling.
Plasterers, drywall workers, and other construction workers were exposed to these asbestos products during various phases of construction throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Workers could also be exposed to asbestos during later renovations and repairs, when the original asbestos-containing materials were torn out.
If you worked on the construction of Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki hotels, or other Hawai‘i buildings during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and you have an asbestos-related disease, call us so we can help.
Our firm has represented many clients who were exposed to asbestos during the Hawai‘i statewide construction boom, and we can help you identify the products that you worked with.