Amherst Central High School

In 1930, Amherst Central High School (ACHS) was established as a public school. Located in Snyder, New York, Amherst Central High School caters to grades 9-12. Serving Eggertsville, Snyder and a portion of the Village of Williamsville, ACHS is the only high school in the Amherst Central School district system. Today, it has a student population of roughly 1,000 students.

Prior to federal regulations placed on asbestos in the late 1970s, asbestos was incorporated into a wide variety of building materials used during the construction of the high school. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Since 1930, various renovations and additions have taken place at Amherst Central High School. During renovations, workers may have been exposed to asbestos materials, including fireproofing, electrical components, pipe covering, block insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, mastic and joint compound (mud).

Boilers and associated piping used to heat the high school were insulated with asbestos-containing block and pipe insulation. Asbestos packing and gaskets were used to maintain pumps, valves and steam traps. Plaster walls were repaired and replaced, involving the use of asbestos-containing joint compound. Asbestos floor and ceiling tiles were used throughout the school and had the tendency to crack or break. Due to normal wear and tear, these materials were removed and reapplied and, in the process, emitted dangerous levels of asbestos dust and fibers that contractors and maintenance personnel inhaled.

On January 3, 1968, a boiler room fire struck Amherst Central High School. The fire was caused by oil that was spilled inside one of the boilers. The boiler room was substantially damaged, and the existing boilers were removed. Asbestos-containing pipe covering and block insulation were removed from the damaged boilers and pipes and reapplied to the new steam and water lines, as well as the boilers. Damaged asbestos-containing ceiling and floor tiles were removed and replaced. In all of these processes, asbestos fibers were released into the air. Workers who handled materials that contained asbestos or worked in the vicinity of others who did are at high risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma.

Our clients understand the importance of securing legal representation as soon as possible after a diagnosis of mesothelioma. The attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford have a combined total of nearly 100 years of experience representing representing victims of mesothelioma. If you or a loved one were once a laborer or maintenance worker who worked at Amherst Central High School in Amherst, New York, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.