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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in New York

New York ranks among the highest states in the nation for mesothelioma deaths. For decades, the state's shipyards, massive construction industry, power plants, and manufacturing facilities exposed hundreds of thousands of workers to deadly asbestos fibers. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Brooklyn Navy Yard alone employed over 70,000 workers at its peak during World War II. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, New York families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

70,000+ Brooklyn Navy Yard Peak Workers
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
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Mesothelioma Compensation for New York Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in New York, you are not alone — and compensation may be available. Below are actual amounts received by real clients of our firm, after attorneys’ fees and expenses, in mesothelioma cases involving asbestos exposure. Our attorneys represent families nationwide, including in New York.

$30B+ Available in Asbestos Trust Funds
$1M – $1.4M Average Mesothelioma Settlement
$2.4M Average Trial Verdict
$2B+ Recovered for Our Clients
$6,142,500 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 68, who developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos through assisting her husband in his general contracting work and through contact with asbestos fibers on her husband's clothes.

$5,939,010 Construction / Demolition

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 46, who was exposed to asbestos while repairing boats and while doing demolition and repair of buildings damaged by fire and flooding.

$4,750,000 U.S. Navy Veteran

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 49, who was exposed to asbestos through his career in the Navy.

$3,600,450 Navy / Contractor

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 67, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a construction contractor on commercial and residential projects.

$3,403,890 Navy / HVAC Mechanic

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 57, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic.

$3,185,280 Paper Mill / Carpenter

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at a paper mill and as a carpenter.

$2,727,900 Navy / Telecom

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 61, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a telephone installer and repairman.

$1,988,910 Oil Field Worker

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 50, who was exposed as an oil field worker.

$1,886,580 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 62, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her husband, who worked as an electrician at a shipyard.

$1,181,250 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 33, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her father, who worked at an auto plant.

All amounts shown are received by clients after attorneys’ fees and expenses. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and compensation depends on individual circumstances including exposure history, diagnosis, and jurisdiction.

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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Industrial records, asbestos litigation databases, OSHA reports

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in New York

New York consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for mesothelioma deaths. The state's industrial history created one of the most extensive asbestos exposure landscapes in the country, spanning shipbuilding, large-scale construction, power generation, manufacturing, and port operations. From the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, from the steel mills of Buffalo to the power plants that electrified the state, asbestos was woven into the fabric of New York's industrial infrastructure for most of the 20th century.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Brooklyn Navy Yard employed over 70,000 workers at its peak during World War II. These workers built, repaired, and maintained naval vessels that were insulated throughout with asbestos-containing materials. After the war, New York's construction boom — driven by massive infrastructure projects including highways, bridges, tunnels, and high-rise buildings — continued to expose tradespeople to asbestos in insulation, fireproofing, floor tiles, and building materials.

New York City's unique density amplified the problem. Construction and renovation of buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx disturbed asbestos-containing materials in older structures while simultaneously installing new asbestos products in new construction. Power plants operated by Con Edison and other utilities used asbestos in boilers, turbines, and steam distribution systems that heated millions of square feet of commercial and residential space.

The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period

Mesothelioma does not appear immediately after asbestos exposure. The disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning workers exposed in New York's shipyards, construction sites, and power plants during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A steamfitter who installed asbestos-insulated pipe in a Manhattan high-rise in 1968 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why New York continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

New York's diverse industrial base also means that many workers were exposed at multiple job sites over the course of a career. A construction electrician might have worked on dozens of buildings over 30 years, each one adding to the cumulative asbestos burden. This multi-site exposure history is important for legal claims because it can connect a patient to multiple asbestos trust funds and multiple defendants, increasing the total compensation available. For city-specific information, see our New York City mesothelioma page.

New York's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

New York ranks among the top five states for mesothelioma deaths in the United States. The Brooklyn Navy Yard alone employed over 70,000 workers at peak wartime production. Con Edison operated dozens of power plants and steam distribution facilities across the five boroughs. The state's construction industry — the largest in the Northeast — installed asbestos-containing materials in tens of thousands of buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects over several decades. If you worked at any New York shipyard, construction site, power plant, or industrial facility, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in New York

Asbestos was embedded in New York's industrial and construction infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure across the state.

Shipyards

New York's shipyards were among the most intensive asbestos exposure environments in the nation. Workers who built, repaired, and maintained ships were exposed to asbestos insulation in engine rooms, boiler rooms, pipe systems, and throughout ship superstructures. Below-deck work created especially concentrated exposure due to poor ventilation and confined spaces.

  • Brooklyn Navy Yard (New York Naval Shipyard) — According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Brooklyn Navy Yard employed over 70,000 workers at its peak during World War II; asbestos used extensively in ship construction and repair across the 300-acre facility
  • Staten Island Shipyard (Bethlehem Steel) — Ship repair and construction facility with documented asbestos use in all vessel insulation and repair work
  • Todd Shipyards (Brooklyn) — Commercial ship repair with asbestos in insulation, gaskets, and boiler lagging throughout the facility

Construction Sites

New York's massive construction industry — particularly in New York City — was one of the largest sources of asbestos exposure in the state. Asbestos was used in virtually every type of building material: insulation, fireproofing spray, floor tiles, roofing, joint compound, cement board, and pipe insulation. Construction workers on high-rise buildings, public infrastructure, and residential projects were all exposed.

  • New York City high-rise construction — Skyscrapers and office towers built from the 1940s through the 1970s used asbestos fireproofing throughout structural steel, floor systems, and mechanical spaces
  • NYC subway and tunnel construction — Asbestos in tunnel insulation, station construction, and equipment rooms throughout the transit system
  • Bridge and highway projects — Major infrastructure including the Verrazano Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, and highway expansion projects used asbestos in bridge decking, expansion joints, and construction materials

Power Plants

New York's power generation facilities used asbestos extensively in boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Con Edison operated a vast network of power plants and steam distribution systems across New York City, all built with asbestos-containing materials.

  • Con Edison power plants — Multiple generating stations across NYC including the 14th Street, East River, and Astoria facilities; asbestos in boilers, turbines, pipe insulation, and steam systems
  • Niagara Mohawk (now National Grid) plants — Upstate New York power generation facilities with asbestos in boiler insulation and turbine housings
  • New York Power Authority facilities — Hydroelectric and fossil fuel plants across the state with asbestos in equipment insulation and building materials

Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities

New York's manufacturing sector, including steel production in Buffalo, auto manufacturing, chemical processing, and general industrial operations, used asbestos in facility insulation, equipment, and production processes.

  • Bethlehem Steel (Lackawanna/Buffalo) — One of the largest steel mills in the nation; asbestos used in furnace linings, pipe insulation, and building materials throughout the facility
  • General Motors (Tarrytown, Tonawanda) — Auto manufacturing with asbestos in brake production, facility insulation, and equipment gaskets
  • Kodak (Rochester) — Photography and chemical manufacturing with asbestos in process equipment insulation and building materials
  • Port of New York facilities — Warehouse, cargo handling, and port infrastructure with asbestos in building insulation and equipment
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Brooklyn Navy Yard Naval Shipyard Ship insulation, boiler lagging, pipe covering 1940s–1970s
NYC Construction Sites Commercial/Residential Fireproofing, insulation, floor tiles, joint compound 1940s–1980s
Con Edison Plants Power Generation Boilers, turbines, steam pipes, electrical insulation 1940s–1980s
Bethlehem Steel (Buffalo) Steel Manufacturing Furnace linings, pipe insulation, building materials 1940s–1980s
Staten Island Shipyard Ship Repair Vessel insulation, boiler work, pipe covering 1940s–1970s
NYC Subway System Public Transit Infrastructure Tunnel insulation, station materials, equipment rooms 1940s–1970s
General Motors Plants Auto Manufacturing Brake production, facility insulation, gaskets 1940s–1970s
Kodak (Rochester) Chemical/Manufacturing Process insulation, building materials 1940s–1980s

This is not an exhaustive list. Thousands of additional construction sites, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings across New York used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any New York shipyard, construction site, power plant, or industrial facility before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of New York exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in New York Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in New York carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in confined spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated, or were present during activities that disturbed existing asbestos insulation. If you or a family member held any of these positions at a New York facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Steamfitters & Pipefitters

Steamfitters and pipefitters are among the most heavily exposed occupations in New York. In NYC alone, these tradespeople installed and maintained steam heating systems, high-pressure piping, and process piping in thousands of commercial and residential buildings. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation, gaskets, and packing materials were standard components on every job. The Con Edison steam distribution system — one of the largest in the world — relied on asbestos insulation throughout its underground network.

Insulators & Asbestos Workers

Insulators in New York worked directly with asbestos-containing insulation materials, applying and removing lagging from pipes, boilers, and equipment in buildings, power plants, and ships. They mixed raw asbestos with bonding agents, cut asbestos blankets to size, and sprayed asbestos fireproofing on structural steel in high-rise construction. This occupation had the most direct and sustained contact with asbestos materials of any trade in the state.

Electricians & Maintenance Workers

Electricians in New York's buildings, power plants, and industrial facilities worked near and around asbestos-insulated equipment daily. Running conduit and wiring through areas with deteriorating asbestos insulation released fibers into the breathing zone. Building maintenance crews performed general repairs that frequently disturbed asbestos-containing materials in walls, ceilings, pipe insulation, and mechanical rooms.

Shipyard Workers

Workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Staten Island Shipyard, and Todd Shipyards performed a wide range of tasks involving asbestos exposure. Ship fitters, welders, painters, and general laborers all worked in environments where asbestos insulation was being installed, removed, or disturbed. Below-deck work in engine rooms and boiler rooms created especially concentrated exposure conditions. At its peak, the Brooklyn Navy Yard employed over 70,000 workers, making it one of the largest single-site asbestos exposure locations in U.S. history.

Construction Tradespeople

Construction workers who built New York's skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, and infrastructure handled asbestos-containing building materials including fireproofing spray, floor tiles, roofing materials, cement board, joint compound, and insulation. Demolition and renovation of older buildings released accumulated asbestos fibers from decades of material deterioration. Ironworkers, laborers, carpenters, and painters were all at risk across thousands of job sites statewide.

Power Plant Workers

Operators, mechanics, and maintenance workers at New York's power plants spent entire shifts surrounded by asbestos-insulated equipment. Con Edison's generating stations and steam distribution facilities used asbestos in boilers, turbines, pipe insulation, gaskets, and electrical components. Upstate plants operated by Niagara Mohawk and the New York Power Authority similarly relied on asbestos throughout their operations.

Documenting Your New York Work History

If you held any of these positions at a New York facility, documenting your complete work history is essential for building a mesothelioma claim. Our attorneys help clients reconstruct their employment timeline, identify every site where exposure occurred, and connect that exposure history to specific asbestos product manufacturers and their trust funds. Even if your records are incomplete, we can use union records, Social Security earnings statements, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case. For New York City-specific exposure information, see our dedicated NYC page.

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Based on your New York work history, you may be connected to multiple asbestos trust funds and legal claims.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in New York

Mesothelioma develops when inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers become embedded in the lining of internal organs, causing cellular damage that leads to malignant tumor growth over decades. New York's diverse industrial exposure profile produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact that shipyard, construction, and industrial workers experienced.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in New York patients. This type develops in the pleura — the thin membrane surrounding the lungs — when inhaled asbestos fibers migrate to the pleural lining and cause chronic inflammation and eventual malignancy. New York construction workers, steamfitters, and shipyard workers who inhaled asbestos dust over months or years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk for pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms typically include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion).

Early detection significantly affects treatment options and prognosis. If you worked at a New York shipyard, construction site, or industrial facility and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your occupational asbestos exposure history. New York is home to several leading mesothelioma treatment centers, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. Visit our diagnosis and treatment page for more information.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum — the lining of the abdominal cavity — and accounts for approximately 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Research has identified a correlation between peritoneal mesothelioma and certain occupational exposures, including those common among New York's construction and industrial workers. Asbestos fibers can reach the peritoneum through ingestion or through the lymphatic system. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, unexplained weight loss, bowel changes, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma has advanced significantly, with cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showing improved survival rates. Regardless of the type of mesothelioma diagnosed, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits for veterans — are available to New York patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in New York

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in New York have access to some of the nation’s leading cancer treatment facilities. These centers offer specialized thoracic oncology programs, access to clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care teams experienced in treating asbestos-related cancers. Early evaluation at a specialized center can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

MSK is one of the world's oldest and most respected cancer centers, with a dedicated mesothelioma program and extensive clinical trial portfolio.

NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center

New York City, NY NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone offers comprehensive thoracic oncology services and is recognized for innovative surgical approaches to mesothelioma.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Buffalo, NY NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

One of the first cancer centers in the country, Roswell Park provides specialized thoracic oncology care and participates in national mesothelioma research collaboratives.

Need Help Finding a Specialist?

Our attorneys work with leading mesothelioma specialists nationwide and can help connect you with the right treatment team. Call 1-800-400-1805 for a referral.

New York Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

New York has one of the largest veteran populations in the country, and many of these veterans carry asbestos exposure histories from their military service. The state's naval shipyards — particularly the Brooklyn Navy Yard — were central to military ship construction and repair, creating massive asbestos exposure among both military personnel and civilian shipyard employees.

Navy Veterans and New York Shipyards

The U.S. Navy used asbestos extensively in ship construction from the 1930s through the 1970s. Engine rooms, boiler rooms, mess halls, sleeping quarters, and virtually every compartment of naval vessels contained asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Veterans who served aboard ships built or repaired at the Brooklyn Navy Yard were exposed during their service. The yard, which built battleships, aircraft carriers, and other vessels, was one of the most prolific asbestos exposure sites in American military history.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Construction Work

A pattern seen frequently in New York mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs in New York's construction or industrial sector after their discharge. The skills that made these veterans effective in the military — pipefitting, electrical work, mechanical maintenance, and general trades — were directly transferable to civilian employment. This resulted in decades of cumulative asbestos exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.

The legal significance of dual exposure is substantial. Veterans with this history may be entitled to multiple sources of compensation:

  • VA Disability Compensation — Monthly tax-free benefits for service-connected mesothelioma
  • VA Healthcare — Treatment at VA medical centers at no cost for service-connected conditions
  • Special Monthly Compensation — Additional VA benefits for veterans requiring aid and attendance
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against trust funds of companies whose products were used in both military vessels and New York construction
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers and employers

Veterans: Filing VA Claims Does Not Affect Civil Claims

VA disability claims and civil mesothelioma lawsuits are separate legal processes. Filing for VA benefits does not reduce or prevent compensation from asbestos trust funds or personal injury lawsuits. Our attorneys help New York veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is critical — both the New York statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in New York

Asbestos exposure in New York did not stop at the shipyard gate, the construction site perimeter, or the power plant fence. For decades, workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families to the same deadly material they encountered at work. This pattern, known as secondary or take-home exposure, has been documented extensively across New York's industrial communities and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never set foot on a job site.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

New York construction workers, shipyard employees, and power plant workers typically arrived home covered in dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, standard practice was for spouses to shake out, brush off, and launder contaminated work clothes at home. This process released asbestos fibers into the household air, where family members inhaled them. Children who greeted parents at the door, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In densely populated New York City neighborhoods, even apartment buildings where many tradespeople lived could accumulate asbestos contamination from multiple residents' work clothes.

Legal Rights of New York Families

New York courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home asbestos exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. These claims can be filed against the companies that manufactured the asbestos products, the employers who failed to prevent fibers from leaving the workplace, and the asbestos trust funds established through bankruptcy proceedings.

If a spouse, child, or other family member of a New York industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous New York secondary exposure cases and understand the specific evidence required to establish the connection between a worker's occupational exposure and a family member's diagnosis.

Support Groups & Resources for New York Families

A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family. These organizations provide support, education, counseling, and practical assistance for patients and caregivers.

National Organizations

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Research & Patient Support

Leading mesothelioma research foundation providing patient support, education, and peer-to-peer networking for patients and families.

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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

Advocacy & Education

National advocacy organization dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, providing support for those affected, and driving a global ban on asbestos.

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American Cancer Society

Patient Services

Comprehensive cancer support including patient navigation, local support groups, transportation assistance, lodging programs, and 24/7 helpline.

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CancerCare

Counseling & Support

Free professional counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and financial assistance programs for cancer patients and caregivers.

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New York Resources

New York State Cancer Consortium

State Resources

State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting New York families with local support services, financial assistance, and treatment information.

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Personalized Resource Recommendations

Our team can connect your family with support resources tailored to your specific situation — including local support groups, financial assistance programs, and caregiver resources. Call 1-800-400-1805.

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Is Your Family Still Eligible to File?

Statutes of limitations can be as short as 1 year. Find out if your family’s filing window is still open.

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Every state has strict deadlines for filing mesothelioma claims. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to compensation entirely. Answer three quick questions to understand where your family stands.

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Free Guide: New York Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked in New York's shipyards, construction industry, power plants, or industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • New York shipyard, construction, and power plant exposure sites
  • New York statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to New York cases
  • How to document your New York work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for dual-exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for New York workers' families

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Steps New York Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. There is a great deal to process emotionally and medically, and legal considerations add another layer of urgency. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for New York families facing this diagnosis. None of these steps require you to have all the answers right away — an experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide you through each one.

  1. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. New York is home to several leading treatment centers, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and NYU Langone Health, both of which have specific expertise in mesothelioma treatment.
  2. Document your New York work history. Write down every job you held, every site where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at New York shipyards, construction sites, power plants, or industrial facilities. Include dates, job titles, employer and contractor names, and names of coworkers who can confirm your presence at these sites.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: insulation work, pipe fitting, fireproofing application, demolition, or proximity to these activities. If you served in the military, include your service branch, duty stations, and MOS or rating. This timeline will be used to identify which companies and trust funds are connected to your exposure.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. The New York statute of limitations gives you 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim and 2 years from the date of death for wrongful death. Building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and handles all cases on a contingency basis.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather and safeguard any records that support your exposure history: old tax returns showing employers, union membership cards, Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), medical records, and photographs from job sites. These documents strengthen your case.
  6. Understand your compensation options. New York mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources, including personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans. Your attorney should evaluate every option and pursue all applicable claims simultaneously.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped families across New York through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We handle every aspect of the legal case so you can focus on your health and your family. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Request a free case review or call 1-800-400-1805.

Portrait of Paul Danziger, Co-Founder and Lead Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
Co-Founder & Lead Attorney

Paul Danziger

Texas Bar #00788880 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Paul Danziger has spent over 30 years representing mesothelioma patients and their families across the United States. He co-founded Danziger & De Llano, LLP with the mission of providing personal attention and aggressive advocacy that asbestos victims deserve.

Before law school, Paul earned his B.B.A. and a Master's degree in Tax Accounting from the University of Texas and worked as a CPA and tax consultant in New York. His financial and legal background gives him a distinctive ability to evaluate complex mesothelioma cases and maximize compensation for his clients.

Paul has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple times (2006–2009, 2014–2016, 2024) and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. He is also the executive producer and co-writer of the film Puncture (starring Chris Evans), based on a real product liability case.

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Portrait of Rod De Llano, Co-Founder and Senior Trial Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
Co-Founder & Senior Trial Attorney

Rod De Llano

Texas Bar #00786666 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Rod De Llano brings over 30 years of complex litigation experience to every mesothelioma case he handles. A Princeton University graduate with a degree in economics, Rod combines analytical rigor with a deep commitment to justice for asbestos victims and their families.

Rod and Paul Danziger have worked together since law school at Northwestern, building one of the most experienced mesothelioma practices in the country. Rod's expertise in complex litigation — including multi-district asbestos cases, trust fund claims, and trial proceedings — ensures that every client receives the strongest possible representation.

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Find Out What Your New York Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at a New York shipyard, construction site, power plant, or industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience with New York asbestos exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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Nationwide Representation Our attorneys handle mesothelioma cases across all 50 states, including New York shipyard and construction cases.
Over 30 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast Results Trust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.

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Cities & Towns in New York

Select a city below for detailed local asbestos exposure site information, New York-specific legal resources, and free case evaluations.

Albany

The Capital District's asbestos legacy spans the Port of Albany, the GE Schenectady industrial complex, Niagara Mohawk power plants, railroad yards, and state government buildings with decades of asbestos abatement.

View Albany Resources

Buffalo

Buffalo's Rust Belt industrial heritage includes the Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna plant, Republic Steel, Donner-Hanna Coke Corporation, and Niagara Mohawk power plants — all of which relied on asbestos-containing materials for decades.

View Buffalo Resources

New York City

NYC is one of the most significant asbestos exposure sources in the country. The Brooklyn Navy Yard employed over 70,000 workers at its peak, and the city's massive construction industry and Con Edison power plants exposed thousands more.

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FAQ answers reviewed by legal team:

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in New York

Why does New York have elevated mesothelioma risk?

New York has one of the highest mesothelioma death rates in the nation due to decades of industrial asbestos use across shipyards, construction sites, power plants, and manufacturing facilities. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Brooklyn Navy Yard alone employed over 70,000 workers at its peak during World War II. New York City's massive construction industry used asbestos in buildings, bridges, tunnels, and subway infrastructure for decades. The 20-to-50-year latency period means these historical exposures continue to produce new diagnoses today.

What is the Brooklyn Navy Yard's connection to mesothelioma?

The Brooklyn Navy Yard was one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the United States. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the yard employed over 70,000 workers at its peak during World War II. These workers built, repaired, and maintained naval vessels insulated throughout with asbestos-containing materials. Ship fitters, welders, insulators, and pipefitters worked in confined below-deck spaces where asbestos fiber concentrations were extreme. Many of these workers later developed mesothelioma decades after their exposure. For more on NYC exposure, see our New York City page.

Can New York construction workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. New York construction workers who were exposed to asbestos on building sites, renovation projects, or demolition jobs and later diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through multiple channels: personal injury lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, claims against asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), and workers' compensation. Because many New York construction workers were exposed on dozens of different job sites over the course of a career, they may qualify for claims against multiple trust funds.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in New York?

New York allows 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. New York applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. Given mesothelioma's 20-to-50-year latency period, this distinction is critical. Do not wait to explore your legal options — evidence and witnesses can become unavailable over time.

Do New York veterans qualify for additional mesothelioma benefits?

Yes. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service — including at the Brooklyn Navy Yard or aboard ships built or repaired at New York shipyards — may qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation in addition to civil lawsuits and trust fund claims. Many New York veterans experienced dual exposure: first during military service, then in civilian construction or industrial employment. Our attorneys help veterans pursue all available compensation simultaneously.

Can family members of New York workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. New York shipyard workers, construction tradespeople, and power plant employees frequently carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing spouses and children who handled contaminated work clothes. New York courts recognize these secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements.

This page was last reviewed and updated on by the legal team at Danziger & De Llano, LLP.

Sources & References

  1. NCI SEER Program — Mesothelioma Cancer Stat Facts
  2. ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Asbestos
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Asbestos
  4. OSHA — Asbestos Standards and Regulations
  5. National Cancer Institute — Mesothelioma Treatment (PDQ)
  6. American Cancer Society — Malignant Mesothelioma
  7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Asbestos Exposure
  8. RAND Corporation — Asbestos Litigation Costs and Compensation

New York Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at a New York shipyard, construction site, power plant, or industrial facility, do not wait. The New York statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis for personal injury and 2 years for wrongful death. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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