Grace Community Church Faces Asbestos Lawsuit

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News Summary

Grace Community Church is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by three former employees alleging hazardous working conditions due to asbestos exposure. The workers, who claim they were pressured to resign after raising safety concerns, are seeking over $75,000 in damages. The case has attracted attention from Cal/OSHA, which is investigating the church for failing to ensure worker safety. This legal battle raises critical questions about corporate accountability and health risks linked to construction work, extending implications for the church and its associated institutions.

Controversy Erupts as Grace Community Church Faces Asbestos Lawsuit

A shocking legal battle has unfolded involving Grace Community Church (GCC) after three former employees have come forward with serious allegations that they were subjected to hazardous working conditions, including exposure to asbestos without proper safety measures. Employees Mauricio Calderon, Jose Lara, and Chad Pritchett have filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming they were forced to work on a contaminated construction site while hurrying to complete a new school.

Workers Claim Whistleblower Retaliation

According to the lawsuit, the trio reported their concerns about potential asbestos contamination to supervisors who allegedly downplayed the risks. GCC management purportedly misled the workers by asserting a lab test indicated no asbestos was present on site. Cal/OSHA, California’s occupational safety agency, has since opened an investigation into GCC for failing to adequately inspect the site and furnish workers with essential protective equipment. The church now faces a fine of $1,125 for these lapses.

Asbestos Exposure: A Family Health Threat

The fallout from GCC’s alleged negligence extends beyond the workplace. The employees, unaware of their exposure to the toxic fibers, unknowingly brought asbestos home on their clothing. This negligence has put their families—including a newborn baby and an immunocompromised spouse—at significant risk. The potential health impacts posed by this exposure are severe, bringing heightened urgency to the issue of safety on construction sites.

The Rush to Build: Safety Compromised

GCC was reportedly under pressure to quickly complete the school construction on a multi-million dollar property in the Arleta area of Los Angeles. This urgency allegedly led to corner-cutting practices that endangered the very lives of those on site. The workers initially suspected the presence of asbestos and requested their supervisor, Gabe Pidal, to conduct tests on the site material. However, they later learned that Pidal had not conducted any tests, and his initial assertions of safety were false.

Pressure to Resign: Threats and Retaliation

After conducting an independent test that confirmed asbestos levels exceeding EPA standards, the workers sought to escalate their concerns to church leadership. Instead of taking accountability, GCC leaders pressured them to resign, threatening termination for raising health concerns. The lawsuit alleges that Morgan Hughes and elder Dave Muxlow dismissed the workers’ issues as “stupid choices” regarding their health and family obligations. All three plaintiffs were terminated within a two-week period after refusing to comply with the resignation request.

Legal and Financial Ramifications

The lawsuit, filed on August 29, seeks at least $75,000 in damages for various grievances, including medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and attorney fees. The allegations not only spotlight GCC’s handling of safety regulations but also reflect a broader culture of neglect towards worker welfare and rights within the organization.

Corporate Accountability in Focus

As the scandal unfolds, Cal/OSHA has issued multiple citations for GCC’s improper handling of the asbestos situation, complicating the church’s standing. The Master’s University, affiliated with GCC, is also under scrutiny for allegations of misconduct related to various properties. This highlights a troubling pattern of negligence and raises questions about the overall commitment of GCC to ensuring a safe work environment for its employees.

Concluding Thoughts

The case against Grace Community Church represents a critical moment for workplace safety in construction and a collective call to action regarding the ethical treatment of employees. As the legal battle continues, the implications for both GCC and the broader community are profound, shaping perceptions of responsibility and care in the pursuit of progress.