New York asbestos lawyer Joseph W. Belluck with Belluck Law, PLLC, can help you pursue the money you need for medical bills, lost wages and other losses you incurred because of your illness. Joe Belluck has secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for injured people. He knows what it takes to get you the accountability and justice you’re owed.
Schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation with Joe and the compassionate legal team at Belluck Law, PLLC, today to learn more about your rights and options. Even if you don’t know how you came in contact with asbestos, Joe will review your work and family history to help you determine how you were exposed to asbestos and the companies that should be held liable for your illness.
What Occupations Put Workers Most at Risk for Asbestos Exposure in New York?
New York is a large and diverse state that’s long been known as one of the most industrious in the nation. Unfortunately, some of its industries were not well regulated in the past, causing countless New York workers to suffer asbestos exposure.
The following occupations have historically put workers at higher risk for asbestos exposure:
- Asbestos workers– The H.W. Johns Manufacturing Company in New York City was the first company to market and use asbestos in construction, a practice common in the industry well into the 1980s. Many workers involved in the production of asbestos products were unwittingly exposed to this deadly substance.
- Mining workers– Not only are there dedicated asbestos mines in New York, but asbestos is also present in many talc deposits and other mineral sources in the state. As a result, miners and other workers involved in mining, extraction and refining have been and continue to be at especially high risk for asbestos exposure.
- Construction workers– New York has many older buildings that contain asbestos. For years, many construction workers who built these structures were exposed to asbestos as a regular part of their daily jobs. Today, construction workers who demolish, replace or refurbish existing asbestos-containing structures risk toxic exposure. Because the United States remains one of the few industrialized nations in the world with no asbestos ban, the dangerous substance is still used today to make common construction materials, including roof and floor tiles.
- Firefighters– Asbestos became a popular construction material in the early to mid-1900s because it is lightweight, fireproof, and an outstanding insulator. However, fire can still damage asbestos fibers and cause them to become airborne. That means New York firefighters are frequently exposed to toxic asbestos fibers in the air when they respond to emergencies. In the past, asbestos was used to make protective gear for firefighters, such as fireproof clothing, boots and helmets. As these garments wore down, they exposed both firefighters and their families to the asbestos they contained.
- First responders and 9/11 workers– A staggering amount of asbestos was released into the atmosphere after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Many of the first responders who rushed to the scene had to wade through piles of debris and clouds of dust full of toxic asbestos particles. That includes workers like firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, police officers, cleanup volunteers and healthcare professionals. Many employees of the World Trade Center buildings and surrounding structures also suffered from extremely high levels of asbestos exposure.
- Industrial workers– Industrial workers are also commonly exposed to asbestos particles in a wide range of products, such as brake pads, gaskets, insulators and textiles. Some industrial workers at heightened risk for asbestos exposure include mechanics, supervisors, chemical technicians, power plant workers and machinists.
- Shipyard workers– New York City is a prominent port of call for domestic and international shipping, with key installations like the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In the west, Buffalo was long the gateway port to the Great Lakes. In the past, many service members in the Navy and other workers who built ships were exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Today, many veterans are experiencing asbestos-related health issues, and shipyard workers continue to risk asbestos exposure when they demolish or repair old ships.
