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Overview: Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in New York
Key Facts: New York Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Counties Served
- 0
- Communities Covered
- 25
- GBP Office Locations
- 4
- Key Industries
- Occupational, Mixed
- Statute of Limitations
- 3 years from date of discovery (CPLR 214-c). Wrongful-death: 2 years from date of death (EPTL 5-4.1).…
- Consultation Cost
- Free — No Fee Unless We Win
Our New York Office Locations
Visit one of our Google-verified offices for an in-person consultation or call for immediate assistance.
Asbestos Exposure History in New York
Asbestos Exposure in New York
New York ranks #3 nationally in cumulative mesothelioma deaths. The state's asbestos exposure history is unmatched: the Brooklyn Navy Yard built warships from 1801 to 1966; pre-1980 skyscraper construction across Manhattan used spray-applied asbestos fireproofing on landmarks like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and the original World Trade Center; Bethlehem Steel's Lackawanna plant employed 20,000+ workers; GE Schenectady has built electrical equipment since 1886; Long Island's Grumman Bethpage built F-14s and Lunar Modules with 23,000 workers at peak.
NYCAL — New York City Asbestos Litigation
New York operates a specialized asbestos-litigation court — the New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL) — within the Supreme Court of New York County. NYCAL has its own case-management protocols, expert-witness discovery rules, and trial scheduling. Cases involving NYC exposure are typically filed there. Our attorneys have experience with NYCAL procedures.
New York Mesothelioma Lawyers — How We Help
Whitman Mesothelioma Law Firm represents New York mesothelioma victims and their families across all 62 NY counties — from NYC's five boroughs to Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, and Western New York (Buffalo, Lackawanna). Reviewed by Michelle Whitman, Lead Mesothelioma Attorney.
Compensation Available to NY Victims
- Lawsuits — NY settlements and verdicts among the highest in the country, especially in NYCAL. Settlements average $1.0–$1.8 million; verdicts can exceed $10 million.
- Asbestos trust funds — 60+ trusts, $30B+ in compensation. NY workers exposed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, NYC construction, or major industrial sites typically qualify for 10+ trusts.
- VA disability — mesothelioma rated 100%. NY has a large Navy-veteran population from Brooklyn Navy Yard service and Long Island shipyards.
NY-Specific Legal Considerations
CPLR 214-c — Discovery Rule
New York's CPLR 214-c is a 3-year statute of limitations running from the date of discovery of the asbestos injury, not the date of exposure. This is plaintiff-friendly given mesothelioma's 20-50 year latency.
NYCAL Filing
NYC-exposure cases are typically filed in the NYCAL part of New York County Supreme Court. Cases from upstate, Long Island, or Western NY may be filed in the home county or NYCAL depending on facts.
NY Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — World-renowned thoracic oncology mesothelioma program.
- Mount Sinai Hospital / Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health — Pioneering asbestos research center.
- NYU Langone Health — Comprehensive thoracic oncology.
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo) — Western NY option.
Your Legal Rights in New York
Understanding the legal landscape is critical when pursuing a mesothelioma or asbestos claim. Below is a summary of relevant legal information for cases involving exposure in New York.
New York Statute of Limitations
New York Court System Overview
Legal Options for New York Asbestos Victims
Mesothelioma victims and their families in New York may be entitled to pursue compensation through several legal avenues:
- Personal injury lawsuits — filed against the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure
- Asbestos trust fund claims — over $30 billion remains in trust funds established by bankrupt asbestos companies
- Wrongful death claims — filed by surviving family members when a loved one has passed from mesothelioma
- Veterans benefits — additional compensation for veterans exposed to asbestos during military service
- Workers' compensation — benefits for occupational asbestos exposure, which may be pursued alongside other claims
Our attorneys handle cases involving New York exposure sites and can identify all available sources of compensation. Call 1-800-875-3000 to discuss your case.
Top Asbestos Exposure Sites in New York
The following facilities across New York have been identified as locations where workers and residents may have been exposed to asbestos. This is a representative sample — visit individual county and community pages for complete local listings.
Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna Plant
Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna was Western New York's largest steel mill, employing over 20,000 workers at peak. Built starting in 1900, the integrated mill produced steel until 1983. Asbestos was used pervasively for furnace and boiler insulation, pipe lagging, and gaskets. The plant closed in 1983 and was demolished. Lackawanna and Buffalo-area mesothelioma cases frequently trace to this facility.
Bethpage Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (Grumman/Northrop Grumman)
The Bethpage facility built F-14 Tomcats, Lunar Modules, and many other aircraft for the Navy and NASA. The 600-acre site employed 23,000 workers at peak. Asbestos was used in aircraft insulation, gaskets, and brake materials. The site is now an EPA Superfund site due to TCE groundwater contamination, but asbestos exposure for former workers is well-documented.
Brooklyn Navy Yard
Brooklyn Navy Yard built and repaired U.S. Navy vessels from 1801 to 1966, employing over 70,000 workers at WWII peak. Battleships USS Arizona, USS Missouri, and USS Iowa were built or major-repaired here. Asbestos was used extensively in boiler insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, and protective gear. Generations of New York City pipefitters, insulators, and shipfitters were exposed. The yard is now a redeveloped industrial campus.
New York City Construction Trades — Manhattan Skyscrapers
New York City's pre-1980 skyscraper construction relied on spray-applied asbestos fireproofing — most infamously, the original World Trade Center towers contained extensive asbestos fireproofing. Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and dozens of other landmarks contained asbestos. Insulators (Local 12, Local 17 — UA), ironworkers, plumbers, and drywall finishers handled asbestos daily. Today's renovation and demolition projects continue to expose construction workers.
Niagara Falls Power Industrial Corridor
Niagara Falls hosted Hooker Chemical (Love Canal), Carborundum, OxyChem, and dozens of chemical plants using cheap hydroelectric power. Asbestos used pervasively. Niagara County mesothelioma cases trace to chemical plant work.
Republic Aviation Farmingdale
Republic Aviation built P-47 Thunderbolts and F-105 Thunderchiefs at Farmingdale (Long Island) from 1931 to 1987. Closed 1987. Suffolk County mesothelioma cases trace to Republic.
If you or a family member worked at any facility in New York and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact our attorneys for a free case evaluation.
Next Steps for New York Mesothelioma Victims
You have options. Our attorneys are ready to help you understand them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in New York
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in New York?
New York imposes a 3-year statute of limitations from the date of discovery of the asbestos injury (CPLR 214-c). For wrongful-death claims, 2 years from date of death (EPTL 5-4.1). NY's discovery rule is among the most plaintiff-friendly in the country.
What is NYCAL and should my case be filed there?
NYCAL — New York City Asbestos Litigation — is a specialized asbestos-litigation court within New York County Supreme Court. Cases involving NYC exposure (Brooklyn Navy Yard, NYC construction, etc.) are typically filed there. Cases from Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, or Western NY may be filed in the home county or NYCAL depending on the facts.
Where in New York were workers exposed to asbestos?
Major sites include Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Manhattan/Bronx/Queens skyscraper construction industry pre-1980, Grumman Bethpage on Long Island, GE Schenectady, Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna in Buffalo, Indian Point in Westchester, and shipyards across Long Island and the Hudson River. Hundreds of additional NY employers also used asbestos products.
How much can a New York mesothelioma case be worth?
NY settlements and verdicts are among the highest in the country, especially in NYCAL. Settlements average $1.0–$1.8 million; verdicts can exceed $10 million. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Do I need to travel to your office to file a NY mesothelioma case?
No. Whitman attorneys travel to NY clients. Most case work — discovery, trust claims, settlements — can be done remotely. Depositions can be conducted from home.
I worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Can I file a claim?
Yes. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is one of the most heavily-litigated asbestos exposure sites in U.S. history. Workers were exposed to crocidolite, amosite, and chrysotile asbestos in shipboard insulation, boiler rooms, and protective gear. Brooklyn Navy Yard workers and their family members (secondary exposure) typically qualify for 10+ asbestos trust funds plus product liability lawsuits.
Have additional questions? Call 1-800-875-3000 to speak with an attorney, or submit a free case evaluation.
Cities & Communities in New York
Complete directory of every city and community page served by Whitman Mesothelioma Law Firm in New York, grouped by county area. 25 locations across 13 areas.
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