Is your family facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in New York? Whether you’re dealing with your own diagnosis or helping a loved one navigate this difficult time, know that you’re not alone. With over $4 billion recovered nationwide, our mesothelioma lawyers in New York understand and are here to help.
A mesothelioma diagnosis can leave patients, families, and caregivers searching for clarity and support. In New York, legal help is designed to ease that burden. Whether you’re the patient or standing beside a loved one, a New York mesothelioma lawyer’s role is to protect your rights while guiding you through the process. Most NYC mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you’ll pay nothing unless your case is successful.
Here’s what you can expect when you file a mesothelioma claim:
Mesothelioma has impacted the lives of different communities across New York, leaving families and caregivers searching for answers and support. Between 1999 and 2017, more than 24,000 New Yorkers died from asbestos-related illnesses (Asbestos Nation). Behind each number is a family story, often tied to the state’s industrial past.
Counties with the highest asbestos death totals include:
| County | Estimated Deaths (1999–2017) |
| Erie | 1,700+ |
| Nassau | 1,500+ |
| Suffolk | 1,500+ |
| Queens | 1,400+ |
| Kings (Brooklyn) | 1,300+ |
Other impacted areas include Westchester, Monroe, Niagara, Manhattan (New York County), and Onondaga.
Across the state, mesothelioma rates are closely tied to New York’s history of shipbuilding, manufacturing, and construction. Workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Long Island shipyards, Buffalo power plants, and New York City high-rise construction sites were often surrounded by asbestos without warning. Even first responders at Ground Zero faced exposure to asbestos-laden dust.
For generations, New Yorkers built ships, powered factories, and constructed the city’s skyline, often without knowing that asbestos was part of the job. Understanding where asbestos was commonly used can help patients and caregivers connect the dots and explore their legal options with a New York mesothelioma lawyer.
Once one of the busiest shipbuilding centers in the country, the Navy Yard employed thousands of New Yorkers. Asbestos was widely used in boilers, pipes, and engine rooms, where shipbuilders, machinists, and sailors worked on a daily basis. Many Navy veterans and their families have since sought guidance from a mesothelioma lawyer or other local attorneys to understand their rights.
The collapse of the World Trade Center released a dust cloud that carried asbestos fibers throughout Lower Manhattan. First responders, police officers, construction crews, and community volunteers were exposed as they worked tirelessly in the aftermath. Years later, some have turned to asbestos attorneys in NYC for help with claims related to 9/11 asbestos exposure.
Across Buffalo, Rochester, Long Island, and beyond, asbestos was used to insulate turbines, boilers, and other equipment. Workers in utilities, refineries, and manufacturing plants often encountered asbestos without being warned of the risks. A New York asbestos exposure lawyer can review employment records and job sites to help families understand possible sources of exposure.
Asbestos wasn’t limited to industrial facilities. Thousands of public schools, housing complexes, and government buildings built before 1980 included asbestos in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and insulation. Teachers, staff, and students may have been exposed during routine use or renovation projects. Today, NYC mesothelioma attorneys frequently assist families who believe they were affected by asbestos in public buildings, even with New York State asbestos regulations now in place to manage removal and abatement.
Asbestos wasn’t only present in buildings; it was part of everyday work for thousands of New Yorkers. Many trades carried a higher risk of exposure, leaving workers and their families vulnerable decades later. If you experienced occupational exposure in one of New York’s high-risk jobs, you may have important legal rights to pursue compensation and support.
High-risk occupations in New York include:
Notable exposure sites in New York include:
For many New Yorkers who spent years in high-risk jobs, a mesothelioma diagnosis can feel like the final chapter in a long story of hard work and sacrifice. The good news is that the legal system recognizes what happened to workers and their families, and there are different ways to pursue justice.
It is important to note that the statute of limitations is the legal deadline for taking action. If these time limits pass, you may lose your right to compensation. An experienced New York mesothelioma attorney can make sure your claim is filed on time.
Even if your former employer went out of business, you may still be eligible for mesothelioma compensation in New York through asbestos trust funds. These funds were created to make sure workers, veterans, and families are not left without recourse after decades of exposure. An experienced asbestos attorney NYC families trust can help identify which trusts you qualify for by reviewing your work history and linking it to specific asbestos companies. They will also handle the filing process on your behalf, working to maximize your recovery. For many families, trust fund payouts arrive faster than trial verdicts and can provide crucial support for medical care, lost income, and long-term needs.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in New York, you likely have many questions about your legal rights and options. From understanding where asbestos is in New York to how the claims process works, our team is here to provide clear, straightforward answers. These frequently asked questions are designed to guide you through the most common concerns and help you take the next steps with confidence.
Asbestos has only recently been banned in the U.S., and New York follows the same federal standards. While many uses were phased out in the late 1970s and 1980s, asbestos still appears in certain places today. NYC asbestos regulations now set strict rules for how asbestos must be identified, removed, handled, and disposed of. These rules require certified contractors, detailed safety plans, and inspections to help prevent future exposure. An experienced asbestos attorney NYC residents trust can help explain how past violations of these rules may affect a legal claim.
Unfortunately, asbestos remains in thousands of schools, subway tunnels, and public housing complexes across New York City. Many of these buildings were constructed before 1980, when asbestos was widely used in insulation, floor tiles, and ceiling materials. Because asbestos is only dangerous when disturbed, much of it remains in place under “manage in place” policies. However, when renovations, demolitions, or natural wear and tear occur, fibers can be released into the air. City and state agencies oversee abatement projects, but the sheer number of older buildings means asbestos is still a widespread concern.
When you begin a claim, your attorney will first review your medical records and work history to understand where exposure may have occurred. They will then identify likely asbestos job sites and link those sites to the companies responsible.
From there, your lawyer will recommend whether to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death claim, or an asbestos trust fund claim. Most cases in New York resolve through settlements or trust payouts rather than trial, which can allow families to receive compensation sooner. Throughout the process, your legal team will handle the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations so you can focus on your health and family.
Choosing a mesothelioma law firm in NYC matters. Local attorneys are familiar with the state’s asbestos litigation history, its courts, and exposure hotspots, including the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Long Island factories, and 9/11 cleanup zones. They also understand how mesothelioma has affected New York families and how to pursue mesothelioma compensation in New York that can help with medical care, lost income, and long-term stability.
If you lived or worked in New York and were exposed to asbestos, schedule a free consultation today. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can review your case, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.
Lauren is a copywriter dedicated to producing clear and trustworthy content for patients and their families. With a focus on accuracy and accessibility, Lauren works to make complex medical information easier to navigate and understand.
EWG Action Fund. (2018). Asbestos Nation. Retrieved on September 23, 2025, from https://www.asbestosnation.org/