Mesothelioma Representation for Hackensack and Bergen County
Our attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg represent people in Hackensack and Bergen County who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases linked to asbestos exposure from our Hackensack office. We serve clients and their families across Bergen County and North Jersey, and our national reach allows us to handle cases wherein exposure occurred in other states.
Mesothelioma cases are complex and require attorneys who understand the specific products, industries and exposure history involved. We work directly with clients through every stage of the process, from the initial case evaluation through resolution.
Get a Free Case ReviewAsbestos Exposure in Bergen County and North Jersey
Decades of industrial activity in Bergen County and the rest of North Jersey put many workers in regular contact with asbestos-containing materials. Those engaged in manufacturing, construction, power generation and many other trades or who worked in older buildings may have handled those materials for decades, often without knowing the risks.
Common Exposure Sites in Bergen County
- Heavy manufacturing and industrial plants across North Jersey, including GAF Corporation in nearby Wayne, which manufactured roofing, siding and building products using chrysotile asbestos across manufacturing and distribution roles.
- Power generation facilities in the region, including PSE&G stations in nearby Hudson County, where workers handled asbestos blankets, block insulation and cement during turbine overhauls and repairs.
- Construction trades across Bergen County, where insulators, pipefitters, electricians and boilermakers worked in mid-century buildings that relied heavily on asbestos materials.
- Schools and buildings that were constructed before 1980, where asbestos appeared in insulation, flooring and other materials.
- Secondary exposure to family members of workers who brought asbestos fibers home on clothing, tools and vehicles is a recognized cause of mesothelioma and can be the basis for a legal claim.
Mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to develop after asbestos exposure, which means a diagnosis today can often be traced to work performed a generation ago. You can still seek compensation if you were exposed to asbestos years ago.
Do You Need a National Hackensack Lawyer?
For a mesothelioma case in Bergen County, local presence and national experience both matter. Meirowitz & Wasserberg’s Hackensack lawyers have experience in asbestos litigation, and that makes a difference. Our New Jersey-licensed attorneys provide the local presence and familiarity with our state’s courts that an asbestos case in North Jersey calls for.
Though our Hackensack office offers hometown experience, our national firm has resources that allow us to handle cases involving asbestos exposure that occurred in other states. This can help us identify responsible manufacturers across industries and access the expert networks and records these complex cases require.
Free case evaluation, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.New Jersey Mesothelioma Claims: Deadlines and How to Start
After a mesothelioma diagnosis in New Jersey, the state generally sets a limited window of time, known as a statute of limitations, for filing a claim. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations on a mesothelioma diagnosis or wrongful death case is usually two years.
New Jersey generally follows the discovery rule, which means that the statute of limitations starts when you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, not when you were exposed. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop.
Speak to a New Jersey asbestos attorney as soon as possible after your mesothelioma diagnosis or after a family member’s passing calls for a wrongful death suit. Not only is the typical statute of limitations short, but certain exceptions can impact the deadline. For example, a claim may be filed in another state, such as where the exposure occurred or where the defendant operates. Further, asbestos trust fund deadlines run separately from lawsuit deadlines.
Compensation for New Jersey Mesothelioma Clients and Families
New Jerseyans and families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis may be able to recover compensation through lawsuits, asbestos trust funds and VA benefits. Compensation can help cover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses. The amount recovered depends on the specifics of each case, and no outcome is guaranteed.
- Lawsuits: Filed against the manufacturers that made or sold the asbestos-containing products responsible for the exposure.
- Asbestos trust funds: Separate claims filed against funds established by many bankrupt companies. You may qualify for more than one.
- VA benefits: Could be available to veterans with a diagnosis related to asbestos exposure that occurred in the military, and they may be used in addition to a lawsuit or trust fund claim.
Firm-wide, our attorneys have recovered more than $500 million for clients, and we ranked third in the country for asbestos lung cancer filings in the KCIC Asbestos Litigation Report 2024. We have taken on cases other firms declined and secured results for clients facing some of the remarkably complex exposure histories.
Free Case ReviewOur New Jersey Mesothelioma Results
Our attorneys have secured significant verdicts and settlements in asbestos and mesothelioma cases, including cases that other firms declined to take. Results of past cases may not indicate your case’s outcome, as all situations are unique.
Past case verdicts include:
- $2.3 million: Recovered for a school custodian who contracted mesothelioma
- $3.4 million: Recovered for a Navy boiler tender who was unable to testify on his own behalf before passing
- $4 million: Recovered for a client whose case another asbestos litigation firm declined
- $32 million: Recovered in a secondhand asbestos exposure case
There is no upfront cost to work with our firm, and you will not owe us anything unless we recover compensation for your case. Our attorneys are ready to help you with the mesothelioma litigation process through local exposure history, compensation options and New Jersey filing deadlines.
Why Meirowitz & Wasserberg
Meirowitz & Wasserberg is a nationally recognized asbestos and mesothelioma firm with a Hackensack office and attorneys licensed in New Jersey. Samuel Meirowitz and Daniel Wasserberg founded the firm in 2011, with a mission to represent mesothelioma cases. We built the firm around personal attention to each client’s case, and that approach extends to every mesothelioma case handled out of our Hackensack office.
Samuel Meirowitz has been a Super Lawyer every year since 2016 and ranks among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Daniel Wasserberg leads the firm’s national asbestos practice and is licensed in New Jersey, New York, Texas and Illinois. He has been selected to the New York Metropolitan Super Lawyers list every year since 2013 and was named a Top 100 Civil Litigator by the National Trial Lawyers in 2017. Our firm holds a BBB A+ rating and carries a 4.9-star rating on Google.
We at Meirowitz & Wasserberg offer services in Spanish, Russian, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Portuguese and more than a dozen other languages. There is no fee unless we win, and a free asbestos case evaluation is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a local Hackensack mesothelioma lawyer, or can a national firm handle my case?
Both local presence and national experience matter in a mesothelioma case, and Meirowitz & Wasserberg has both. Our Hackensack office and New Jersey-licensed attorneys provide local accessibility, while our national resources allow us to identify responsible manufacturers, access decades-old exposure records and handle complex multi-defendant cases.
What is the statute of limitations for a mesothelioma lawsuit in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally allows two years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim and two years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim. The state follows the discovery rule, so the clock starts at diagnosis, not at exposure. Trust fund deadlines are separate, and filing in another state may also be possible depending on where exposure occurred.
Where were people exposed to asbestos in Bergen County or elsewhere in North Jersey?
Workers in Bergen County and the rest of North Jersey may have encountered asbestos in manufacturing plants, power generation facilities, construction trades and older buildings and schools. Many trades handled asbestos with little to no warning of the dangers.
What compensation is available to New Jersey mesothelioma clients and families?
Compensation may be available through lawsuits against responsible manufacturers, claims against asbestos trust funds, and VA benefits for veterans. Recoverable damages can include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and wrongful death damages. Amounts vary by case, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Can I file a claim if my asbestos exposure was decades ago or the company is now bankrupt?
Yes. Mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to develop, so decades-old exposure does not prevent a claim. If the responsible company filed for bankruptcy, it may have established an asbestos trust fund, and claims against those trusts remain available regardless of when the exposure occurred.
How long does a New Jersey mesothelioma case take?
A mesothelioma case’s timeline depends on several factors, including the number of defendants, the complexity of the exposure history and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Most cases resolve within 12 to 18 months, though some take longer. Our attorneys work to reach the best possible outcome as efficiently as circumstances allow.
What should I bring to a first meeting with a mesothelioma lawyer?
If possible, bring work history and medical records to your first meeting with a mesothelioma lawyer. You don’t need to know or have proof of everything, as any information about your work history and where you believe you were exposed to asbestos may be useful. If records are incomplete or hard to locate, our attorneys can help obtain them. The first consultation with one of our attorneys is free, and there is no obligation to proceed.
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.
