How Meirowitz & Wasserberg Helps Brooklyn Mesothelioma Families
Meirowitz & Wasserberg represent Brooklyn clients diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. We investigate exposure that may have happened decades ago, identify the companies responsible and pursue every compensation option available to you.
Founding partner Daniel Wasserberg leads our nationally recognized asbestos practice. We rank among the top 10 national filers of asbestos cases. Our attorneys have handled more than 300 mesothelioma cases and more than 650 asbestos-related cases.
We have trial experience in New York City Asbestos Litigation, a coordinated court docket that handles asbestos cases from all five boroughs. This experience means we know how Brooklyn cases move through New York’s courts.
We work on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay us up front. You only pay a fee if we obtain compensation.
Request a Free ConsultationThe Brooklyn Navy Yard: Brooklyn’s Largest Asbestos Exposure Site
The Brooklyn Navy Yard exposed thousands of shipbuilders, repair workers and Navy personnel to asbestos throughout more than a century of shipbuilding. It is Brooklyn’s largest single source of asbestos-related disease claims. The federal government established the Brooklyn Navy Yard as one of the nation’s first naval shipyards. Workers at the Yard built and repaired ships during the Civil War, both World Wars and later conflicts.
Asbestos use increased as the Yard prepared for World War II. The Yard produced its own asbestos-containing insulation products. Asbestos also appeared in gaskets for machinery and piping, fireproofing for bulkheads, pipe lagging and protective gear like gloves and welding aprons.
Mesothelioma can take 20 to 60 years to develop after asbestos exposure. Doctors are still diagnosing individuals who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard decades ago.
Brooklyn Navy Yard at a Glance
- Years of Operation: 1801 to 1966
- Scale: Up to 70,000 workers at the height of World War II
- Primary Asbestos-Containing Systems: Boilers, insulation, pipe lagging, pipes, gaskets and shipboard spaces
- Trades Most Exposed: Boilermakers, insulators, pipefitters, electricians, machinists and laborers
Other Brooklyn Asbestos Exposure Sites
Asbestos exposure in Brooklyn also occurred at waterfront industrial sites, power plants, public housing, schools and construction jobs across many neighborhoods. The risk of exposure extended to residents, not just workers.
Older buildings across Brooklyn still contain asbestos in insulation, flooring and fireproofing. Disturbing those materials during repairs or renovations can release dangerous fibers into the air.
Brooklyn Exposure Sites
| Location or Area | Industry or Exposure Context |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn public schools built before the 1980s | Older construction, including insulation, floor tile and pipe coverings |
| Building trades borough-wide | Insulators, pipefitters, electricians and boilermakers working in older buildings |
| Con Edison power plants in Brooklyn | Boiler, turbine and pipe insulation |
| NYCHA public housing developments | Ongoing maintenance, renovation and abatement work |
Secondhand and Household Asbestos Exposure in Brooklyn
Family members of Brooklyn workers who encountered asbestos could experience secondary exposure. Workers may bring toxic fibers home on their clothing, hair and tools. Spouses who laundered contaminated work clothes and children who lived in the household may have valid mesothelioma claims.
Our firm has experience with secondhand exposure cases, including a verdict of more than $32 million for a client who developed mesothelioma after regularly laundering a family member’s contaminated work clothes.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Brooklyn and the NYCAL Court
Brooklyn mesothelioma lawsuits typically go through NYCAL, a coordinated court docket that handles asbestos cases from all five boroughs. NYCAL is designed to move quickly and handle large volumes of mesothelioma lawsuits.
NYCAL separates cases into two tracks:
- Accelerated: Deals with individuals who are currently living with mesothelioma or another serious asbestos-related illness. This track can move a case toward resolution in as little as a year.
- Standard: Manages other cases in the order they are filed. This structure means Brooklyn residents with a mesothelioma diagnosis often see their cases move faster than typical civil lawsuits.
The legal process looks similar across most Brooklyn cases. Your attorney gathers your work and exposure history, investigates every company connected to your exposure and files your lawsuit. Most cases resolve through a negotiated settlement, but some go to trial if the defendants do not offer fair compensation.
Families who lost a loved one to mesothelioma also have options. You can file a wrongful death claim if your family member has passed away.
Start Your Free Case ReviewCompensation for Brooklyn Mesothelioma Clients
If you live in Brooklyn and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may seek compensation using asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and wrongful death claims. Your potential compensation depends on your exposure history, your specific diagnosis and which companies played a role in your asbestos exposure.
Compensation Options
- Asbestos trust funds: Asbestos trust funds were established by companies that caused asbestos exposure but are now bankrupt. They compensate individuals with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. More than 60 asbestos trust funds hold more than $30 billion for individuals living with asbestos-related illnesses.
- Lawsuits: A mesothelioma lawsuit targets solvent companies still in business today. Most cases settle before trial, though a strong trial record tends to produce stronger settlement offers.
- Wrongful death claims: Families can seek compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost income and loss of companionship after losing a loved one to mesothelioma. Surviving spouses, children and estate representatives can typically file these claims. Wrongful death claims exist separately from any personal injury case the patient may have already started.
Meirowitz and Wasserberg are proud to take on any cases that other firms declined to take. Our attorney’s results range from $2.3 million to more than $32 million in individual mesothelioma cases.
New York Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations
New York imposes statute of limitations deadlines for filing a mesothelioma claim, so it’s important to speak with an attorney soon after a diagnosis. If you are worried the deadline has passed, you may not have missed your opportunity to file a claim.
The deadline to file a claim generally starts on your diagnosis date rather than the date you encountered asbestos. You may also be able to file where you experienced exposure or where a responsible company has its main office, even if that’s outside New York. Asbestos trust fund deadlines are separate from lawsuit deadlines. Each trust sets its own filing window.
How To Choose a Brooklyn Mesothelioma Law Firm
Choose a firm with asbestos litigation experience, resources to pursue a national list of defendants and clear contingency terms. Meirowitz & Wasserberg have a track record in NYCAL and Brooklyn exposure cases, and the hands-on experience to secure results for your case.
Firm Selection Checklist
- Asbestos litigation experience with verifiable, documented results
- Clear, no upfront cost terms
- Free consultation, with no pressure or obligation
- Multilingual accessibility for you and your family
- NYCAL and Brooklyn or shipyard case experience
- Willingness to represent clients across Brooklyn and the wider NYC area, including traveling to meet you
Daniel Wasserberg leads our national asbestos practice and holds licenses in New York, New Jersey, Texas and Illinois. Samuel Meirowitz spent four years as a Bronx District Attorney prosecutor before turning his trial experience toward asbestos cases.
Our Mesothelioma Case Results
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has secured millions of dollars for mesothelioma and asbestos clients. However, past results do not guarantee future outcomes because every mesothelioma case is different.
Notable Case Outcomes
- $32+ million in a secondhand exposure case
- $5.5 million for a Navy boiler tender and power company employee
- $5.1+ million for a Navy machinist’s mate turned civilian mechanic
Every mesothelioma case has its own exposure history, diagnosis and defendants. A free consultation is the fastest way to find out what your specific circumstances may be worth.
Brooklyn Mesothelioma FAQ
Do I need a Brooklyn mesothelioma lawyer, or can any personal injury attorney help?
Asbestos litigation involves specialized rules, deadlines and defendants that differ from typical personal injury cases. A law firm with mesothelioma and NYCAL experience knows how to trace decades-old exposure and pursue every available source of compensation.
How much does a mesothelioma lawyer cost?
Meirowitz & Wasserberg works on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay anything up front. We only collect a fee if we obtain compensation for you.
What is the average mesothelioma settlement?
There’s no single “average” that applies to every case. Settlement amounts vary based on your diagnosis, exposure history and the companies that caused your exposure.
Where were individuals exposed to asbestos in Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn Navy Yard represents the borough’s largest known exposure site. Individuals also faced exposure at power plants, public housing, schools built before the 1980s and construction jobs across Brooklyn.
How do I file a mesothelioma lawsuit in New York?
Most Brooklyn mesothelioma cases move through NYCAL, which coordinates a court docket for asbestos claims in New York City. Your attorney investigates your exposure history, identifies responsible companies and files your case.
How long do I have to file a mesothelioma claim in New York?
New York sets strict deadlines that generally run from your diagnosis date. Separate deadlines apply to wrongful death claims and asbestos trust fund claims. Since deadlines are strict and case-specific, speak with an attorney as soon as possible to make sure you do not lose your right to seek compensation.
Can I file a claim if my Brooklyn asbestos exposure happened decades ago?
Yes. Mesothelioma can take 20 to 60 years to develop after exposure. New York’s filing deadline generally runs from your diagnosis date rather than your exposure date. Decades-old exposure at the Brooklyn Navy Yard or another site does not rule out a valid claim.
Can I file a claim for a family member who has passed away from mesothelioma?
Yes. Surviving spouses, children and estate representatives can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who passed away from mesothelioma.
Free Brooklyn Mesothelioma Consultation
Contact Meirowitz & Wasserberg for a free, confidential consultation about a Brooklyn mesothelioma or asbestos claim. We are available 24/7, and we do not charge a fee unless we win.
Our team offers services in 14 languages. Our nearest office is at 1040 6th Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
Whether you worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard decades ago or you are caring for a family member with a recent diagnosis, we are here to talk through your options.
Call 212-897-1988 or complete our online form for a free consultation.
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.
