St. Mary’s School for the Deaf was established in Buffalo in 1853, as the first academic school for the deaf in the U.S. In 1898 St. Mary’s was relocated from Edward Street to its current location on Main Street. St. Mary’s School for the Deaf is dedicated to providing an education that will prepare deaf students to be self-directed, lifelong learners, who are productive members of society.

Prior to the late 1970s, asbestos was incorporated into many materials utilized at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. Pipe covering, insulating cement, asbestos gaskets, packing material and block insulation covered pipes, boilers and associated equipment was used throughout the school. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases.

In order to maintain a steady internal temperature in the steam heat system, boilers, pipes and valves were insulated with asbestos-containing materials, such as pipe covering and block insulation. During maintenance and repair procedures, asbestos-containing materials were removed from the equipment, which gave rise to tremendous amounts of asbestos dust. After a repair was complete, new asbestos insulation was applied. Removing and applying asbestos-containing insulating materials caused asbestos fibers and dust to become airborne.

Boiler rooms are generally small, enclosed spaces. Prior to the late 1970s, boilers and pipes were covered with materials that contained asbestos. Because boiler rooms often had poor ventilation, any released asbestos dust continued to circulate in the air long after it was released from the boilers.

In the process of representing boilermakers and their families, our attorneys have gathered numerous medical and liability documents that could be instrumental in your legal representation. If you or a loved one were once employed at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, New York, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation.