Located on Madison Street in Syracuse, New York, MONY Plaza is a two-building commercial office complex. MONY Tower I, also known as AXA Tower I, was constructed in 1965, as offices for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York (MONY). After AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company’s 2004 acquisition of MONY, the building is now occupied by AXA. MONY Tower II, also known as Carrier Tower or AXA Tower II, was constructed in 1973. Tower II was the corporate headquarters for Carrier Corporation until United Technologies Corporation acquired Carrier in 1979. Both buildings are 19 stories high, and they are the second-tallest buildings in Syracuse.
Workers utilized asbestos-containing fireproof insulation, pipe covering, insulating cement and block insulation during construction, maintenance and repair procedures at MONY Plaza. Workers who applied, removed or maintained asbestos-containing materials are at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Fireproof insulation was applied to the structural steel of the buildings at MONY Plaza in order to protect the steel from potential fire damage. Fireproofing was packaged in heavy paper bags, and it contained a mixture of asbestos, cement and waste linens. Fireproofing material was poured into a machine, mixed with water and sprayed onto structural steel using a hose. Mixing and spraying fireproof insulation emitted clouds of asbestos dust and fibers into the air. Electricians and pipefitters typically disturbed the fireproofing after it was applied in order to install conduit or pipes. When fireproofing material was disturbed, asbestos dust was emitted, which workers inhaled.
Hot water radiators delivered heat to the buildings at MONY Plaza. Boilers in the sub-basement of Tower I produced steam, which was pumped into a heat exchanger in order to heat water, for use in radiators. When the water reached a desired temperature, it was delivered to radiators through a network of pipes. Boilers, pipes, valves and pumps within the boiler system were covered in asbestos-containing insulation. When maintenance or repairs were required, the asbestos-containing insulation was removed. When these procedures were completed, new insulation was applied. Removing and applying asbestos-containing pipe covering, insulating cement and block insulation caused asbestos dust to become airborne, which workers inhaled.
Many union and non-union laborers who worked on the construction and maintenance of MONY Plaza were employed by various contractors throughout Central New York. If you or a loved one were once employed in connection with the construction of the MONY Plaza and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.
We hope that you will never be diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or suffer a catastrophic injury, but if you are, contact us at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford so we can begin the fight.
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