New York State reports approximately 195 mesothelioma diagnoses per year, concentrated particularly in New York City and surrounding areas. The Brooklyn Navy Yard — one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in American history — alone employed over 70,000 workers during World War II, virtually all of whom were exposed to asbestos. Beyond the shipyards, New York's vast construction industry, Con Edison power plants, chemical facilities, and heavy manufacturing in Buffalo and upstate areas all contributed to the state's significant asbestos exposure legacy.
Asbestos Exposure History in New York
The Brooklyn Navy Yard stands as perhaps the single most notorious asbestos exposure site in the United States. At its WWII peak, the yard employed 70,000 workers building warships under conditions of extreme asbestos contamination. Workers in hull spaces, engine rooms, and insulation shops were exposed to asbestos fiber concentrations that far exceeded any safe level. New York City's massive construction industry also contributed significantly — the World Trade Center complex, built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, used spray-on asbestos fireproofing on its structural steel until the practice was banned in 1971. Consolidated Edison's network of power plants in the New York area exposed thousands of workers to asbestos boiler and turbine insulation.
Key Asbestos Exposure Sites in New York
- Brooklyn Navy Yard (Brooklyn)
- Staten Island Shipyard
- Indian Point Energy Center (Buchanan)
- Buffalo Steel (Lackawanna)
- Consolidated Edison power plants (NYC area)
- Port of Albany industrial facilities
Documented Sites with Detailed Records
One of the most important shipyards in American history. At its WWII peak, over 70,000 workers built battleships and aircraft carriers here. Asbestos was used extensively in insulation, engine rooms, and hull construction.
Once one of the largest steel mills in the world, employing 20,000+ workers at its peak. Steelworkers were exposed to asbestos in furnace linings, pipe insulation, and protective equipment throughout the facility.
Con Edison operated multiple generating stations throughout NYC including the iconic Hell Gate plant. Utility workers and maintenance crews encountered asbestos in boilers, turbines, and underground steam lines citywide.
Manufacturer of the F-14 Tomcat, Lunar Module, and E-2 Hawkeye. Aerospace engineers and production workers were exposed to asbestos in aircraft insulation, heat shields, and gasket materials.
A large steam generating plant supplying power to upstate New York. Maintenance workers, pipefitters, and boilermakers were exposed to asbestos insulation in boilers, turbines, and heat exchangers.
Top Industries for Asbestos Exposure in New York
- Shipbuilding & Naval Facilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Power Generation
- Chemical Plants
New York Mesothelioma Laws & Filing Deadlines
New York has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury mesothelioma claims, running from the date of discovery — which courts have typically interpreted as the date of diagnosis. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years of death. New York City has a specialized asbestos litigation program (the New York City Asbestos Litigation, or NYCAL) that handles mesothelioma and asbestos cases in consolidated fashion, allowing cases to move more efficiently through the courts. New York is generally considered a favorable jurisdiction for asbestos plaintiffs.
* Filing deadlines are based on state law at time of publication. Always verify current deadlines with a licensed mesothelioma attorney in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mesothelioma in New York
NYCAL (New York City Asbestos Litigation) is a specialized court program that handles mesothelioma and asbestos cases in New York City in a consolidated system. Cases filed in NYCAL typically move through the court system faster than in other jurisdictions, and the program has extensive experience with asbestos claims. If your exposure was in the New York City area, filing in NYCAL is likely advantageous.
Yes, significantly. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is one of the most extensively documented asbestos exposure sites in US litigation history. There are extensive records of specific manufacturers' products used at the yard, documented fiber exposure levels, and a long history of successful lawsuits arising from Brooklyn Navy Yard exposure. An attorney experienced with NYCAL cases will be familiar with this site.