Nassau County’s industrial heritage spans decades of shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing, industries where asbestos use was commonplace and worker safety often took a backseat to profit. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma after working in Nassau County or living near industrial sites where asbestos was present, you have the right to hold responsible companies accountable for their negligence.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we represent mesothelioma victims throughout Nassau County and Long Island. Founding partner Joseph P. Williams has dedicated 30 years to fighting for asbestos exposure victims, maintaining an undefeated record in mesothelioma cases while recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for clients. We understand the urgency your diagnosis creates, and we’re prepared to meet you in your home to discuss your case and begin building your claim immediately.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the protective lining surrounding the lungs, abdomen, or heart. This disease results from inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers, which become lodged in tissue and cause cellular damage over time. The latency period for mesothelioma typically ranges from 20 to 50 years, meaning workers exposed decades ago are only now receiving diagnoses.
Nassau County’s economic development throughout the mid-20th century created numerous asbestos exposure sites. The county’s proximity to New York City made it a hub for manufacturing, construction, and transportation industries that relied heavily on asbestos products. Workers who built homes in Levittown, one of America’s first mass-produced suburban developments, handled asbestos siding, roofing materials, and insulation. Construction crews who worked on the Long Island Expressway and other major infrastructure projects encountered asbestos in paving materials and construction equipment.
Nassau County industries created dangerous exposure conditions across multiple trades. Maritime workers who commuted to Brooklyn and Manhattan shipyards brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, creating secondary exposure risks for family members. Construction workers installing ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and insulation in schools and commercial buildings faced daily exposure during the county’s building boom.
Power plant workers at Long Island Lighting Company facilities encountered asbestos in electrical equipment, boilers, and insulation throughout their careers. Carpenters, insulators, roofers, electricians, and maintenance workers all handled asbestos materials regularly, often without adequate protective equipment or warnings about the dangers these products posed to their health.
A successful mesothelioma claim requires establishing where, when, and how you were exposed to asbestos. We begin by conducting a detailed investigation of your work history, documenting every job site, employer, and project where you may have encountered asbestos. For Nassau County workers, this often involves reviewing records from construction projects, industrial facilities, and commercial developments throughout the county.
Attorney Williams uses specialized resources that many firms don’t have access to, including naval archive records with complete equipment lists from ships. These historical documents prove invaluable when representing Navy veterans and maritime workers who lived in Nassau County but worked at nearby shipyards. The records establish exactly which asbestos products were present on specific vessels and during what time periods.
Mesothelioma cases often involve multiple defendants, including product manufacturers, negligent employers, and property owners. We identify every company that manufactured, distributed, or used asbestos products at your work sites by reviewing building records, purchasing documents, and historical databases to establish which specific products you encountered.
Medical evidence forms another critical component of your case. We work with your treating physicians and consulting medical experts to establish the connection between your asbestos exposure and your mesothelioma diagnosis. Expert testimony helps juries understand the science behind asbestos-related disease and why your specific exposure history caused your illness.
Mesothelioma victims may recover multiple types of damages through litigation and asbestos trust fund claims. Economic damages address the financial costs of your illness, including past and future medical expenses. Mesothelioma treatment often involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and ongoing monitoring, creating substantial medical bills that defendants must cover. You can also recover lost wages for time missed from work due to your illness, along with compensation for diminished earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous occupation.
Non-economic damages compensate for the physical and emotional toll of mesothelioma. This includes payment for the pain and suffering caused by the disease and its treatment, the emotional distress and anxiety that accompanies a serious cancer diagnosis, and the loss of enjoyment of life that results from your illness. These damages recognize that mesothelioma affects every aspect of your daily existence and your relationships with loved ones.
In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, New York courts may award punitive damages. These damages punish defendants who showed conscious disregard for worker safety and help deter similar conduct by other companies. Evidence that a company knew about asbestos dangers but concealed this information from workers strengthens claims for punitive damages.
Many companies that manufactured or used asbestos products have filed for bankruptcy due to overwhelming litigation. As part of their bankruptcy proceedings, these companies established trust funds to compensate future victims. More than 60 asbestos trusts currently hold billions of dollars for qualified claimants. We identify all relevant trusts based on your exposure history and file comprehensive claims to maximize your total recovery. Trust fund claims proceed independently from lawsuits against solvent defendants, providing multiple paths to compensation.
Grumman Aerospace Corporation facilities in Bethpage represent one of Nassau County’s most significant asbestos exposure sites. For decades, Grumman manufactured military aircraft using asbestos in insulation, gaskets, brakes, and heat shields. Thousands of workers faced daily exposure to asbestos dust and fibers, often without adequate respiratory protection. Machinists, welders, electricians, and assembly line workers all encountered dangerous asbestos products throughout Grumman’s operations.
The Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow, constructed in the 1930s and expanded through the 1970s, used asbestos extensively in its original construction and subsequent renovations. Maintenance workers, electricians, and contractors who worked on the facility’s heating systems, electrical systems, and structural renovations disturbed asbestos materials during repair and upgrade projects.
The post-World War II housing boom created countless exposure sites throughout Nassau County. Levittown’s construction in the late 1940s and early 1950s involved asbestos products in virtually every home built. Workers who constructed more than 17,000 houses in this development handled asbestos siding, insulation, floor tiles, and roofing materials. The rapid pace of construction meant workers faced concentrated exposure over relatively short periods.
Shopping centers, office buildings, and schools constructed throughout Nassau County during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s also incorporated asbestos materials. The Roosevelt Field shopping center, Garden City commercial districts, and countless other developments used asbestos fireproofing, ceiling tiles, and floor tiles. Workers who built and maintained these facilities faced ongoing exposure risks.
Joseph P. Williams has spent 30 years exclusively focused on representing mesothelioma victims, giving him deep knowledge of the asbestos products, work sites, and industries that created exposure risks throughout Nassau County. His experience representing members of nearly every New York union means he understands the specific challenges faced by workers in different trades and can effectively present your case to juries.
Our firm’s undefeated record in mesothelioma cases reflects our commitment to thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy. We investigate every aspect of your exposure history, identify all responsible parties, and build compelling cases that insurance companies and corporate defendants take seriously. When settlement negotiations don’t produce fair offers, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial.
We provide personalized service that recognizes your unique circumstances. Attorney Williams meets clients in their homes, understanding that travel to a law office may be difficult when dealing with a serious illness. This individualized approach ensures your case receives the attention it deserves rather than assembly-line treatment.
A mesothelioma diagnosis demands immediate action due to New York’s statute of limitations and the progressive nature of the disease. The Williams Law Firm, P.C., is ready to begin working on your case right away, conducting the investigation and building the evidence needed to pursue maximum compensation from all responsible parties.
With 30 years of experience and an undefeated record in mesothelioma cases, Attorney Williams provides the proven representation you need during this challenging time. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our commitment to personalized service ensures your case receives individual attention focused on your specific circumstances and needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue justice and compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Joe was a true professional and was great to work with. He brings expert knowledge to every step of the process. Joe got my father excellent results.
– Andrew Opel
