'Sick' courthouses spur suits.

From coast to coast, workers are blaming courthouses laden with asbestos, mold, poor ventilation systems, and other health hazards for ailments that range from headaches and nausea to serious respiratory problems and cancer. As workers' compensation claims pile up, trial attorneys in states from California to Massachusetts are joining justice system employees in taking private companies and government officials to court over "sick" courthouses.

Sometimes the problems stem from the buildings' old age; other times, from renovations meant to improve the facilities. In the Salinas, California, courthouse in Monterey County, asbestos-abatement work has been conducted with people in the building. Last September, the entire courthouse was temporarily shut down due to asbestos contamination. Its north wing had been closed previously on several occasions for the same reason.

In October, Monterey County Superior Court Judge Albert Maldonado, his former bailiff, and a courthouse maintenance worker filed lawsuits against the two contractors overseeing renovation of the north wing for injuries resulting from exposure to asbestos and other toxic chemicals. All three plaintiffs are suffering from similar respiratory problems, said their attorney, James Spiering of Monterey.

"When you release those types of toxic substances and they are micro in size, you're in effect poisoning people who are in that area without protective gear," Spiering said.

The lawsuits seek medical expenses and exemplary damages against contractors Skanska USA Building and Nova Partners, as well as their respective project managers. Noting that the effects of asbestos exposure may not be fully known for 10 …