Wells College was founded in 1868 in Aurora, New York, by Henry Wells. Up until 2005, the college only admitted women. Wells College is a liberal arts college that offers bachelor’s degrees in thirty subject areas. Its average yearly enrollment of around 550 students makes it one of the smallest colleges in New York State. The Wells College campus is located on 360 acres along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. The campus consists of twenty-three buildings, including dormitories, lecture halls, athletic facilities and administrative offices.

Prior to federal regulations placed on asbestos in the 1970s, dozens of asbestos-containing materials were utilized in the construction and maintenance of buildings at Wells College, including pipe covering, insulating cement and block insulation. Inhaling dust from the application and removal of asbestos-containing materials placed workers at risk for developing asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

At Wells College, boilers produced steam, which was used to heat buildings on the campus. Steam was delivered to the buildings through a system of pipes. The equipment housed in the steam system, including pipes, valves, pumps and boilers, were covered with asbestos-containing insulation. During maintenance and repair work on the steam system, insulation was removed in order to access the equipment. When the work was completed, new asbestos-containing insulation was applied. Removing and applying asbestos-containing materials caused asbestos dust and fibers to become airborne.

Many union and non-union laborers who worked on construction projects at Wells College were employed by various contractors throughout Central New York and the Finger Lakes Region. If you or a loved one were employed as a laborer at Wells College and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.