Toxic Dust Killed Courthouse Worker

In Tucker County, West Virginia, four county employees have filed a lawsuit against G.A. Brown & Sons construction company claiming that work done by the company in the Tucker County Courthouse dispersed toxic dust that caused the death of one employee of the assessor’s office, Virginia Wamsley, and potentially harmed others who have entered the courthouse since March 6.

Employees of G.A. Brown & Sons cut a hole in the side of the courthouse to install an elevator, but did not use any type of protective measures to avoid the dispersal of harmful materials. The suit states that the toxic dust contained lead, asbestos, and possibly other harmful substances. The toxic dust was spread throughout the courthouse and both county employees as well as visitors were allegedly exposed.

“The dust was so heavy it clogged the early voting machines,” the claimants’ attorney said. “Anyone who participated in early voting or who has been to the courthouse since March 6 has been exposed.”After being exposed to the dust, Virginia Wamsley immediately had difficulty breathing and the dust caused immediate damage to her lungs, which was the cause of her contracting pneumonia and other health problems. She was hospitalized many times and even required surgery, but these health problems are what led to her death. The plaintiffs’ attorney said, “Mrs. Wamsley’s doctors told her son that her death was directly caused by the dust she had inhaled.”