Occupations with a High Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Many workers across New York City lived with asbestos risks throughout their careers. If you worked in one of these industries, contact us to assess your eligibility for a claim.
Higher Risk Jobs
- Automobile Mechanics: Brake and clutch dust contained asbestos. Mechanics inhaled fibers when servicing older vehicles.
- Construction Workers: Asbestos was used in insulation, drywall, roofing and cement until the 1980s.
- Factory Workers: Asbestos was widely used in manufacturing, both in facilities and the products they produced.
- Firefighters: Older buildings still contain asbestos. Firefighters battling blazes in these spaces face high exposure risk.
- Insulation Installers: Asbestos pipe and boiler insulation released fibers during cutting and installation.
- Maritime Workers: Marine vessels and shipyards contained asbestos components throughout the 20th century.
- Military Veterans: Asbestos was used in military applications through the 1980s. Navy veterans face a particularly high risk.
- Miners: Workers who extracted asbestos or worked in mines with asbestos-containing materials can face long-term health consequences.
- Plumbers and Pipefitters: Cut, fit and removed asbestos-wrapped pipes in commercial buildings, refineries and ships.
- Power Plant Workers: Insulation materials used in power plants often contained asbestos.
- Railroad Workers: Older trains and train stations contained asbestos materials and infrastructure.
- Refinery Workers: Asbestos was used in protective clothing and safety gear, exposing workers who wore it.
- Shipbuilders: Shipyard construction relied heavily on asbestos for fire resistance throughout the 20th century.
- Textile Workers: Some heat-resistant and insulating fabrics contained asbestos fibers. Workers who made these textiles may have been exposed.
Asbestos was a daily reality for generations of American workers. Exposure was rarely visible and almost never disclosed. Mechanics, insulators, shipbuilders and firefighters spent entire careers breathing contaminated air before a diagnosis revealed the damage done years or decades later. If you were among them, we want to hear from you.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Diseases in NYC Workers
Because New York City’s industrial, maritime and construction history made asbestos exposure a routine part of many jobs throughout the 20th century, the city’s workers have faced a significant risk of asbestos-related diseases. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health classifies asbestos as a known human carcinogen. The primary cause of mesothelioma cancer is asbestos exposure.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets a permissible exposure limit of 0.1 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of air over an 8-hour workday. Before these limits were codified, asbestos levels on jobsites often far exceeded this amount and workers weren’t provided with protective equipment or properly notified about the dangers. Mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 60 years to develop after first exposure, which means workers exposed decades ago are still receiving diagnoses today.
Approximately 3,000 people receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure also causes lung, laryngeal and ovarian cancers. It also causes serious chronic conditions like asbestosis.
Reflecting the region’s long industrial and construction history, New York sees some of the highest volume of asbestos lawsuit filings. The New York City Asbestos Litigation docket was created to manage this volume efficiently and today it handles one of the highest concentrations of mesothelioma cases in the country.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg Occupational Asbestos Claim Results
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has secured significant compensation for workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Our record of success reflects decades of exposure that employers and manufacturers knew about and never disclosed.
Our National Occupational Settlement Results
- $5.4M: Journeyman pipefitter, Houston ship channel refinery
- $5.1M+: Navy machinist’s mate turned civilian mechanic
- $3.6M: Navy boiler tender, CIA headquarters boiler rooms
- $3.15M+: Painter and taper with limited product exposure
- $2.3M+: School custodian, unable to identify manufacturers
Our cases span pipefitters and Navy veterans, painters and school custodians. Some clients had heavy industrial exposure over entire careers. Others had limited contact with asbestos-containing products and still received a serious diagnosis. Meirowitz & Wasserberg has built successful cases across that full spectrum. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, and each case is evaluated on its own facts.
What To Do If You Were Exposed to Asbestos at Work in NYC
If you received an asbestos-related diagnosis, it’s important to act quickly. New York generally has a three-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis for personal injury claims and two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims. We can determine the statute or any exceptions that may apply to your specific case, and if the details of your exposure mean you should file in a different jurisdiction.
Steps To Take If Exposed at Work
- See a doctor and get a diagnosis. A physician can evaluate you for mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis and refer you to a specialist.
- Document your work history. Write down your employers, job titles, work sites and dates of employment. This information helps attorneys build your case.
- Contact a NYCAL-experienced lawyer for a free case review. An attorney familiar with the New York City Asbestos Litigation docket and with a record of success in asbestos litigation can assess your options and help you file on time.
If you lost a loved one to an asbestos-related disease, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. An experienced attorney can help you understand your options and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs.
Why Hire Meirowitz & Wasserberg for Your NYC Occupational Asbestos Claim
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit isn’t simple. Proving that an exposure decades ago caused your current diagnosis requires thorough investigation, experience with the NYCAL docket and the ability to identify liable parties.
Reasons to Hire Meirowitz & Wasserberg
- 30+ years of combined attorney asbestos experience
- 300+ mesothelioma cases handled
- $500M+ in total firm recoveries
- Top-10 filer of asbestos cases nationally
- 15+ languages spoken, including Spanish, Russian, Polish, Cantonese, Tagalog and Bengali
- 24/7 availability with no fee unless we win
Our attorneys have represented workers, veterans and their families across New York City and beyond, securing compensation from the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one has received an asbestos-related diagnosis, contact us for a no-obligation case review.
Occupational Asbestos Exposure FAQs
What is the Latency Period for Asbestos-Related Diseases?
Latency periods for asbestos-related diseases vary. For example, one study found that mesothelioma has a latency period of 33.7 years and that lung cancer has a latency period of 40.1 years.
Can I Be Exposed to Asbestos at Home or in Public Buildings?
It’s possible to be exposed to asbestos in your home or a public building, especially if they are older. However, the presence of asbestos isn’t always hazardous. The risk rises when the asbestos-containing material is in poor condition or disturbed, which may cause it to release dangerous asbestos fibers.
How Much Compensation Can People Diagnosed With Mesothelioma Receive in NYC?
Compensation varies widely depending on diagnosis, exposure history and which defendants are involved. Verdicts and settlements in occupational asbestos cases range nationally from the low six figures into the multi-millions. Our firm has secured recoveries including $5.4M for a journeyman pipefitter and $5.1M+ for a Navy machinist. Asbestos trust fund claims may also be available at the same time as lawsuit recoveries. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes. Contact us for a case-specific review.
Does a Single Exposure Put Me at Risk of Developing an Asbestos-Related Disease?
No amount of asbestos exposure is safe. That said, the risk goes up the more you are exposed. As a rule of thumb, remember that any amount of asbestos exposure and inhalation increases the risk of developing serious illnesses down the road. Avoid it.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Exposed to Asbestos at Work?
If you think you were exposed to asbestos at work, wash your body and clothes as soon as possible, as this will help minimize the spread. After washing yourself thoroughly, talk to your employer about your concerns. Discuss the potential exposure with your doctor, and always seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing.
How Can I Find Out if a Product Contains Asbestos?
For the most part, it is difficult to tell whether a product or material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Some products are labeled, especially newer ones, making it easy to determine whether they contain asbestos. However, it can be difficult to detect in older products, especially those installed in buildings and infrastructure decades ago.
What Precautions Should Be Taken When Renovating an Old Building?
The Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of asbestos in most products. However, older buildings may still contain asbestos, so it’s important to be careful when renovating them. Ideally, have a qualified professional take a sample of potential asbestos-containing materials before starting. If asbestos is found, it’s best to leave the removal process to professionals.
Can I Get Tested for Asbestos-Related Diseases?
Testing for asbestos-related diseases can be tricky, as symptoms may present similarly to other unrelated respiratory conditions. That said, if you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos and want to be tested, your doctor can help you figure out your options.
Contact Meirowitz & Wasserberg to Talk About Your Asbestos Exposure Today
Asbestos was widely used in homes and workplaces throughout the United States for decades. Over time, however, it was discovered that the fibers released by this heat-resistant mineral can cause serious illness, including various forms of cancer. Today, millions of people continue to suffer the effects of asbestos exposure. Often, the illnesses they develop are fatal.
Our knowledgeable asbestos lawyers are dedicated to helping affected families and victims take legal action and hold responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Meirowitz & Wasserberg can help. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
CONTACT USOur NYC Personal Injury Attorneys
Samuel Meirowitz
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Perry Shusterman
Partner
Kush Shukla
Partner
Bonnie Steinwolf
Partner
Jason Yampolsky
Associate
Neidra Wilson
Associate
Melissa Ryan Reitberg
Associate
Clark Rosengarten
Associate
Danny Kraft
Of Counsel
Jason Hodrinsky
Senior Associate
Frank M Ortiz
Of Counsel
About The Author
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is a Best Lawyers-recognized and Super Lawyers-rated mesothelioma attorney with over 20 years of experience. Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 10 Asbestos-Mesothelioma Lawyer, he leads the firm's national asbestos practice.
