Published: August 04, 2006 10:39 pm         

Former bunker guide files lawsuit

LEWISBURG, WV — A former tour guide for the famous cold war underground bunker in White Sulphur Springs has filed a lawsuit against CSX Hotels, which owns and operates The Greenbrier, claiming he was exposed to asbestos when workers began testing the building materials used in its construction.

Lewisburg lawyer Barry Bruce filed the lawsuit on behalf of Paul D. Rose of White Sulphur Springs. The lawsuit says Rose was employed by CSX Hotels as a tour guide for the bunker from 2000 to 2004. In late 2003 or early 2004, CSX began testing the building materials used in the construction of the bunker for asbestos and “drilled, scraped and/or cut walls, pipes and other surfaces within the bunker,” thus resulting in dust and other particles “contaminated with asbestos” to become airborne within the bunker, the lawsuit states.

“The testing ... was conducted at various times, including during working hours in which plaintiff (Rose) was conducting guided tours of the bunker,” the lawsuit said. “As a result ... plaintiff was exposed to asbestos.”

The lawsuit also said CSX instructed Rose to prepare furnishings, equipment and artifacts for removal after the bunker closed in July 2004 for extensive renovations. The bunker was reopened by The Greenbrier last month.

“... the removal of various items from the walls of the bunker resulted in dust and other particles contaminated with asbestos to becomes airborne within the bunker, resulting in plaintiff being exposed to asbestos,” the lawsuit said. “CSX intentionally, recklessly and willfully failed to inform plaintiff of the presence of asbestos in the bunker and failed to provide plaintiff with the necessary equipment, training and/or supervision for the safe handling and removal of materials containing asbestos.”

The suit does not indicated that Rose has been diagnosed with any asbestos-related illness.

Rose claims he now has to undergo medical monitoring for asbestos and “has endured, and will continue to endure, mental anguish as a result to his exposure of asbestos” because he fears he may develop cancer from the exposure.

Rose is asking for past and future medical expenses and compensatory damages for pain and suffering, among others. He has requested a jury trial.

Lynn Swann, communication director for The Greenbrier, was unable to comment because of the pending litigation.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach @register-herald.com