Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive and dangerous form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. In New Jersey, there are hundreds of known asbestos exposure sites that have exposed thousands of workers, veterans, and residents to this potentially deadly substance over the course of the 20th century. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have lost a family member to this illness, you need to seek legal representation immediately. You may be entitled to significant compensation through mesothelioma litigation and asbestos trust funds, and The Williams Law Firm is here to help you through this process.
Attorney Joseph P. Williams has dedicated more than 30 years to handling asbestos and mesothelioma cases throughout New Jersey and New York. He has represented over 1,000 families affected by asbestos exposure, recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation, and has never lost a mesothelioma case. When you contact The Williams Law Firm, you will work directly with Attorney Williams from the first consultation through resolution of your case. Our firm takes all mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — New Jersey Law Limits Your Window to File
Diagnosed with mesothelioma in New Jersey? You have 2 years from your diagnosis date to file — not from your exposure date.
Over 1,000 families represented. Hundreds of millions recovered. Joseph P. Williams has never lost a mesothelioma case. No fees unless we win.
When you are facing a mesothelioma diagnosis or have lost a family member to this disease, you need a skilled and experienced New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer on your side. At The Williams Law Firm, you gain access to over 30 years of experience in asbestos and mesothelioma litigation, a track record of never having lost a mesothelioma case, and an attorney who personally handles your case from start to finish.
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“The Joseph Williams Law Office has been very kind, professional, and knowledgeable. They have helped our family through a very difficult time and I would recommend their services to anyone that needs help.”
— Lindsta Ann
New Jersey is one of the hardest-hit states in the country for asbestos-related disease. Approximately 120 to 140 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in New Jersey every year. From 2015 through 2018, nearly 500 New Jersey residents received a mesothelioma diagnosis. The statewide average asbestos-related death rate is 6.8 per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the nationwide average of 4.9 per 100,000. Several New Jersey counties see rates more than double or triple the national average.
The counties with the greatest estimated number of asbestos-related deaths in New Jersey between 1999 and 2017 include Ocean County (1,190 deaths), Camden County (1,113), Somerset County (1,057), Bergen County (1,053), and Middlesex County (994). Cape May, Gloucester, and Salem counties also record death rates far above the national average. These numbers reflect the state’s deep industrial history and the scale of occupational asbestos exposure that took place across New Jersey throughout the 20th century. For regulatory information specific to New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Labor Asbestos Program maintains current guidance on worker protections and abatement requirements.
Asbestos was once known as the “magic mineral.” Thanks to the low cost of mining asbestos, its heat resistance, and its versatility, this mineral was heavily used in construction and manufacturing until the late 1970s, with continued use through the 1980s and into the 1990s. Asbestos was most commonly found in the following construction and industrial products:
Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health issues including asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Learn more about products containing asbestos and how exposure occurred across a wide range of industries and consumer products.
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. There are approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year in the United States, with many occurring in New Jersey given the state’s industrial history. In most cases, mesothelioma is not diagnosed until 20 to 50 years after initial asbestos exposure, and by that time it has often progressed to an advanced stage. There are four recognized types of mesothelioma, classified by location in the body:
Learn more about the types of mesothelioma and available treatment options for each form of this disease.
The overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases are linked to occupational asbestos exposure, meaning workers encountered asbestos on the job, often for years or decades, without adequate protection or warning. New Jersey’s industrial economy throughout the 20th century — including its shipyards, oil refineries, chemical plants, and construction industry — created widespread and prolonged exposure for hundreds of thousands of workers.
Family members of these workers also faced significant risk. Asbestos fibers carried home on work clothing, in hair, and on skin could expose spouses and children to dangerous levels without their knowledge. This secondary or take-home exposure is a recognized cause of mesothelioma and is fully compensable through litigation. The Williams Law Firm has represented many New Jersey families in secondary exposure cases throughout the state.
New Jersey has hundreds of documented asbestos contamination sites across the state. Workers at the following types of facilities faced particularly high rates of exposure:
Power Stations: PSE&G Linden Station, AC Electric Deepwater and Beesleys Point, JCP&L South Amboy and Sayreville, PSE&G Harrison and Hudson, Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Salem Nuclear Power Plant, Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station
Refineries: Bayway Refinery (Linden), Humble Oil (Linden), Exxon Mobil (Paulsboro), Citgo Petroleum (Deptford), Texaco (West Deptford), Delmarva (Pennsville)
Manufacturing Sites: Johns-Manville (Manville), Campbell Soup Company (Camden), American Steel (Trenton), Owens Corning Fiberglas (Berlin), DuPont (Pennsville), Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill (Delair)
Chemical Companies: Hooker Chemical (Burlington), Allied Chemical, American Cyanamid (Bound Brook), Thiokol Chemical (Trenton), JT Baker Chemical (Philipsburg), Harshaw Chemical (Gloucester)
Shipyards: NY Shipbuilding Corporation (Camden), Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Camden Shipyard, Hoboken Shipyard, repair docks in Bayonne and Kearny
Military Installations: McGuire Air Force Base, Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, and various Naval weapons and logistics facilities throughout the state
Other Known Sites: Texaco Refinery, Chubb Insurance Company, St. Francis Hospital, Hess Oil Chemical Division, Faculty Housing (Princeton University), Socony Mobil Oil Co., Newark Airport, Essex County Technology Center, Tomkins Tidewater Terminal, Christ Hospital
This list represents a partial inventory of known New Jersey exposure sites. If you worked at a facility not listed here, your claim may still be viable. Contact The Williams Law Firm to discuss your specific exposure history.
Workers in certain New Jersey industries faced disproportionately high asbestos exposure due to the nature of their work and the materials they handled daily. Occupations with elevated mesothelioma risk in New Jersey include:
Beyond occupational settings, asbestos is also present in many New Jersey homes built before 1980. Homeowners, renovation contractors, and family members can all be at risk when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during repairs or remodeling. Common locations for asbestos in older New Jersey homes include:
There are several routes available to secure compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis in New Jersey, and an experienced attorney will understand how to navigate each one to maximize your recovery. A skilled New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer will investigate your occupational and exposure history, identify all potentially liable defendants, gather the medical and documentary evidence needed to prove causation, and handle all filings and court appearances on your behalf. The available routes for compensation include:
Filing a mesothelioma claim in New Jersey involves a structured process that an experienced attorney will manage on your behalf. Here is what to expect when you work with The Williams Law Firm:
1. Free Case Evaluation. Contact our office for a free, confidential consultation. Attorney Williams will review your medical records, occupational history, and exposure history to determine whether you have a viable claim and which legal routes are available to you.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering. The firm will investigate your case thoroughly, identifying the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure, locating historical records from your former employers and work sites, and working with medical and industrial experts to establish causation.
3. Filing Your Claim. Your attorney will file your lawsuit in the appropriate New Jersey Superior Court and pursue any applicable asbestos trust fund claims simultaneously. If you are a veteran, VA benefit claims may also be filed at this stage.
4. Discovery and Depositions. Both sides exchange evidence and take depositions. Attorney Williams handles all aspects of this process so you can focus on your health and your family.
5. Settlement Negotiation or Trial. Most New Jersey mesothelioma cases resolve through settlement, often within 12 to 18 months. If a fair settlement is not offered, The Williams Law Firm is prepared to take your case to trial.
New Jersey law imposes strict deadlines for filing mesothelioma claims, and missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to seek compensation entirely. In New Jersey, mesothelioma victims generally have two years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. For families who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is also two years, beginning from the date of death.
New Jersey follows the discovery rule, which means the clock starts when you knew or reasonably should have known that your illness was caused by asbestos exposure, not from the original date of exposure. This rule is critical given mesothelioma’s latency period of 20 to 50 years. Because every situation is unique and some exceptions may apply, contacting an experienced New Jersey mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis is essential to protecting your rights and ensuring no deadlines are missed.
New Jersey has developed a specific legal framework governing asbestos liability that differs in important ways from other states. In the landmark 2022 decision Fowler v. Akzo Nobel Chemicals, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that manufacturers have a duty to warn not just primary purchasers of their asbestos-containing products, but also foreseeable users downstream in the chain of commerce. This “dual warning” requirement strengthens the legal position of workers and others injured by asbestos-containing products in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Department of Labor maintains a comprehensive asbestos safety program that governs abatement contractors, worker certifications, and air monitoring requirements under New Jersey’s occupational health standards. New Jersey courts also handle asbestos cases through a designated statewide litigation program that streamlines case management while preserving each victim’s individual right to trial. The Williams Law Firm is deeply familiar with New Jersey’s asbestos litigation landscape and has navigated these courts on behalf of clients throughout the state.
New Jersey mesothelioma victims and their families may be entitled to recover several categories of compensation.
Past and future medical costs related to mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, medications, and ongoing care, calculated using existing bills and expert projections of future medical needs.
Income the victim has lost due to mesothelioma and its treatment, as well as lost future earning potential if the victim cannot return to work. These damages are calculated based on work history, age, and projected career trajectory.
Non-economic damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by mesothelioma and its treatment. These damages include:
Family members who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover:
Dozens of asbestos manufacturers that operated in New Jersey and elsewhere have declared bankruptcy over the past several decades. As part of their reorganization, these companies were required to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future victims. There are currently over 60 active asbestos trust funds holding billions of dollars specifically for mesothelioma and asbestos disease claimants.
Filing claims against multiple trust funds simultaneously with civil litigation against solvent defendants can significantly increase the total compensation available to a New Jersey family. The Williams Law Firm has extensive experience identifying applicable trusts based on a client’s specific exposure history and filing claims efficiently to maximize recovery. Learn more about asbestos trust funds and how they can work alongside your New Jersey mesothelioma lawsuit.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming, but taking the right steps promptly can protect both your health and your legal rights.
1. Seek a specialist immediately. Mesothelioma requires treatment from physicians with specific expertise in this cancer. A specialist can also document the diagnosis in a way that will support your legal claim.
2. Document your work and exposure history. Write down every job, employer, and worksite where you may have encountered asbestos, along with the names of any products or materials you remember working with. This information forms the foundation of your legal case.
3. Contact an attorney as soon as possible. New Jersey’s two-year statute of limitations begins at diagnosis. Acting early allows your attorney to investigate while evidence and witnesses are still available.
4. Preserve all relevant records. Keep copies of medical records, employment records, union documents, and any correspondence from former employers or insurance companies related to your illness.
5. Do not speak to insurers alone. If you are contacted by a company or its insurer, do not give a recorded statement or accept any offer before consulting with an attorney.
The Williams Law Firm, P.C., led by founding attorney Joseph P. Williams, has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families in New Jersey and across the country. Attorney Williams has never lost a mesothelioma case, has represented over 1,000 affected families, and has recovered hundreds of millions in compensation. The firm has the investigative resources, medical expert network, and litigation experience necessary to take on the largest asbestos defendants in New Jersey courts.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in New Jersey, the statute of limitations is running from the date of diagnosis. Contact The Williams Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you. You can also review the various types of compensation available to mesothelioma victims in New Jersey. Contact us online or call (855) 575-6376 today.
The Williams Law Firm, P.C.
245 Park Ave. 39th Floor, Suite 71
New York, NY 10167
Local: (855) 575-6376
Toll Free: (855) 575-6376
The most important factors are experience specifically in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation, a demonstrated record of results in New Jersey courts, and a commitment to personal attention. A firm that handles your case directly, rather than referring it to other attorneys or assigning it to case managers, will have a stronger command of the facts and a more personal investment in the outcome. The Williams Law Firm is led by Joseph P. Williams, who personally handles every mesothelioma case and has never lost one in over 30 years of practice.
Asbestos trust funds were established by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers as part of their reorganization plans and are specifically designed to compensate mesothelioma victims and their families. There are over 60 active trusts holding billions of dollars for current and future claimants. An experienced attorney can identify which trusts apply to your exposure history and file claims on your behalf, often simultaneously with any civil litigation against solvent defendants. This combination approach can significantly increase the total compensation your family receives.
New Jersey’s statute of limitations gives mesothelioma victims just two years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim, and two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims. Missing this deadline typically bars all recovery. Filing promptly also allows your attorney to investigate while witnesses are still available, employment records are accessible, and evidence is intact. The sooner you contact an attorney after a diagnosis, the more options remain open to your family.
A mesothelioma attorney manages every aspect of your case, including investigating your exposure history, identifying all liable defendants, working with medical and industrial experts, filing all court documents, negotiating with insurance companies, and trying the case if settlement is not achieved. In New Jersey, asbestos cases are handled through a statewide litigation program with a designated asbestos judge and special master, and an attorney with experience in this specific system provides a significant advantage.
When a New Jersey resident dies from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, surviving family members may file both a survival action on behalf of the estate and a wrongful death claim in their own right. The survival action seeks damages the deceased would have recovered had they survived, including pre-death pain and suffering. The wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the family’s own losses, including loss of financial support, companionship, and funeral expenses. Both claims can be filed simultaneously, and The Williams Law Firm has extensive experience handling these cases for New Jersey families.
✓ Legally Reviewed By
Founding Attorney & Lead Trial Lawyer, The Williams Law Firm, P.C.
Joseph P. Williams is a New York native and nationally recognized mesothelioma attorney who has represented over 1,000 asbestos exposure victims and their families, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation. He earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1992, served as an Assistant District Attorney from 1992 to 1996, and has focused exclusively on asbestos and mesothelioma litigation since entering private practice. Attorney Williams has never lost a mesothelioma case and has personally tried hundreds of cases before New York juries, including over a dozen consolidated trial groups of up to ten mesothelioma cases at a time.
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This page was legally reviewed by Joseph P. Williams on May 7, 2026. Content is reviewed for legal accuracy and updated regularly to reflect current New Jersey mesothelioma law.
