New York City’s iconic skyline rose during an era when asbestos saturated virtually every construction material. Construction workers who built, renovated, and maintained the city’s infrastructure from the 1950s through the 1980s handled asbestos-containing products daily, often without proper warnings or protective equipment. Decades later, these workers face devastating diagnoses of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases directly linked to their work on landmarks, office towers, housing projects, and public buildings across the five boroughs.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we represent New York construction workers whose dedication to building this city has cost them their health. Founding partner Joseph P. Williams brings 30 years of experience and an undefeated track record in mesothelioma cases, understanding the unique exposure patterns of construction workers throughout New York’s building boom. We meet clients in their homes and handle each case individually, fighting aggressively for the compensation these workers deserve while they focus on their health and families.
The construction industry consumed asbestos at unprecedented levels during the mid-20th century. Builders prized the mineral for its fireproofing capabilities, insulation properties, and structural reinforcement qualities. Spray-on asbestos fireproofing coated steel beams in high-rises, asbestos cement formed exterior panels and roofing materials, and asbestos insulation wrapped pipes and boilers throughout buildings.
New York City experienced explosive growth during this period, with massive construction projects transforming the urban landscape. The post-war building boom created thousands of office towers, apartment complexes, schools, hospitals, and public facilities, nearly all containing asbestos materials. Construction codes actually required certain asbestos applications for fire safety, mandating the very exposures that would later sicken workers.
Different trades encountered asbestos in varying forms and concentrations. Insulators worked directly with asbestos pipe covering and block insulation, cutting and fitting materials that released clouds of fibers. Drywall installers handled joint compound and wallboard containing asbestos. Electricians drilled through asbestos-containing materials and worked around asbestos electrical components. Even carpenters, bricklayers, and general laborers encountered asbestos regularly on job sites.
The Empire State Building contained extensive asbestos fireproofing and insulation throughout its structure. Workers involved in its construction and subsequent renovations faced significant exposure risks. The building’s age and the era of its construction meant asbestos permeated multiple building systems.
The Chrysler Building similarly incorporated asbestos materials in its iconic Art Deco structure. Maintenance workers, elevator mechanics, and renovation crews working in this landmark dealt with asbestos insulation, fireproofing, and building materials for decades. The original World Trade Center construction exposed thousands of workers to asbestos before the complex’s tragic destruction.
Other notable NYC structures with documented asbestos exposure include:
These landmark projects attracted thousands of construction workers over decades of building and renovation cycles, creating widespread exposure across multiple trades and generations of workers.
Mesothelioma represents the signature disease of asbestos exposure, affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. This aggressive cancer rarely appears until 20 to 50 years after initial exposure, meaning construction workers exposed in the 1960s and 1970s are being diagnosed today. The disease progresses rapidly and remains difficult to treat despite medical advances.
Construction workers exposed to asbestos face several serious health conditions:
The combination of asbestos exposure and tobacco use multiplies lung cancer risk by a factor of 50 compared to the general population. Symptoms often mirror other respiratory conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
New York construction workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases have strong legal rights to pursue compensation. Personal injury lawsuits target the manufacturers of asbestos products used on job sites rather than employers or contractors. These companies knew about asbestos dangers but failed to warn workers, making them liable for resulting illnesses.
Asbestos trust funds provide another compensation avenue. Many asbestos manufacturers filed for bankruptcy and established trusts to pay current and future claims. Construction workers typically qualify for multiple trust claims based on the various asbestos products they encountered throughout their careers. Our firm has extensive experience identifying all applicable trusts and maximizing trust fund recoveries.
Union members may have access to additional resources and benefits. New York construction unions maintain detailed records that can help establish work history and exposure. Attorney Williams has represented members from virtually every New York construction union, understanding the specific exposure patterns associated with different trades and job sites.
Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondhand exposure can also pursue compensation claims. Construction workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their work clothes, exposing spouses and children to dangerous levels of asbestos. These secondary exposure cases require specialized legal knowledge to prove the connection between the worker’s occupation and the family member’s illness.
If you worked in New York City construction during the asbestos era and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you deserve experienced legal representation that understands the unique challenges of construction exposure cases. At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., founding partner Joseph P. Williams has never lost a mesothelioma case in 30 years of dedicated advocacy. We know the job sites, the products, and the exposure patterns that affected New York construction workers throughout the building boom.
Our team investigates every aspect of your work history, identifies all responsible parties and applicable trust funds, and fights aggressively for maximum compensation while you focus on your health and family. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Schedule your free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help secure the financial relief you deserve for building the city that failed to protect you.
As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.
