New York Bricklayer Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Bricklayers, like others in the skilled building trades, are at an increased risk of asbestos exposure that may lead to mesothelioma and other serious health conditions. For decades, bricklayers across New York worked directly with or around asbestos-containing materials while installing fireplaces, laying fire-retardant brick, and handling mortar mixed with asbestos fibers. Asbestos exposure was also common when working with or around kilns and furnaces, particularly those built before the 1980s. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), heavy asbestos exposures tend to occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos materials due to renovation, repairs, or demolition. OSHA has set the permissible exposure limit at just 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air, and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is often found in:

• Electrical insulation: wiring and components in older buildings frequently contained asbestos for heat resistance
• Mortar and cement: asbestos was mixed into dry compounds to add strength and prevent cracking
• Fire-retardant brick: bricks designed for high-heat environments often include asbestos fibers
• Spray-on insulation: Buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1980s commonly used asbestos-based spray insulation

Bricklayers and masons who worked in the New York building trades beginning in the 1950s and through the 1980s may have been directly exposed to asbestos in new building materials. During this period, it was common practice to spray asbestos insulation in brick buildings, significantly increasing the risk of inhaling asbestos dust and fibers. Families of bricklayers were also at risk through secondhand asbestos exposure when fibers were carried home on work clothing.

Know Your Rights After Bricklayer Asbestos Exposure

Whether you were exposed to asbestos during new construction or inhaled dust and particles during renovation and demolition work, you may be entitled to compensation if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related illness. The first step toward pursuing the compensation you deserve is consulting with an asbestos exposure attorney who has the knowledge and dedication to fight for your rights. Being entitled to compensation and actually recovering it are two different things. Asbestos exposure lawsuits in New York are notoriously difficult to navigate, requiring the attention of a dedicated and aggressive attorney who understands how to hold negligent companies accountable. Bricklayers who were exposed to asbestos may be able to pursue compensation through personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death claims, or asbestos trust funds established by manufacturers that filed for bankruptcy. These financial recoveries can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering caused by asbestos-related diseases.