Mesothelioma in Manhattan, New York

Compensation can help people with asbestos-related diseases and their families secure the funds they need to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and travel costs.

Successful asbestos lawsuits in Manhattan include:

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04. Asbestos Use in Manhattan

Asbestos Use in Manhattan, New York

New York’s Manhattan is one of the most densely populated cities in the country. Manhattan has various industries that have used a significant amount of asbestos. Many workers and residents in the city are at risk of asbestos exposure, which may lead to the development of asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The prosperous construction industry in Manhattan resulted in iconic skyscrapers that form the popular skyline today. The construction of these skyscraper office buildings, department stores, apartment complexes and schools put numerous workers at risk because of asbestos.

Before 1980, common materials used during the construction of these buildings contained asbestos. Fireproofing, insulation, roofing materials, ceiling and floor tiles, cement products and heat- and corrosion-resistant products all contained asbestos and were used extensively during the construction process. Because it is still present, asbestos can be released during demolition, remodeling, repair and maintenance in these buildings.

Asbestos has also been found in the city’s steam pipes. Below Manhattan’s city streets lies a vast network of steam pipes that spans miles. Asbestos material was commonly used for the thermal insulation in the steam pipe network. Workers who installed and repaired these pipes were often exposed to the asbestos contained in the insulation. Authorities also detected asbestos in steam that escaped into the air from underground piping that ruptured in Manhattan. Issues arising from these steam pipes may present a threat to residents exposed to the asbestos-contaminated steam.

Asbestos in Skyscrapers in Manhattan, New York

Before regulations were enacted in the 1980s, asbestos was widely used during the construction of buildings in Manhattan. Some of the most famous Manhattan buildings constructed at this time included the Pan Am Building, the World Trade Center and Madison Square Garden. Asbestos was used to insulate, soundproof and fireproof the buildings.

In 1971, Mount Sinai School of Medicine reported that asbestos fire-proofing materials had been sprayed in many of the large buildings constructed in Manhattan during the 1950s and 1960s. A spokesperson for the New York Public Interest Research Group explained that the protective materials binding the asbestos were deteriorating. Worn or damaged asbestos products can release dangerous fibers into the air in the ventilation systems.

Asbestos dangers became known to builders in the early 1970s. That new knowledge stopped the use of asbestos in subsequent construction. The World Trade Center was partially completed when the dangers of asbestos became known. Because the use of asbestos had halted, only the lower floors of the towers had asbestos in them.

The attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, caused the collapse of the twin towers and surrounding towers and buildings. This resulted in large amounts of toxins, including hundreds of tons of asbestos, being expelled in a dust cloud. First responders, workers in the buildings, residents in nearby apartment buildings and individuals who assisted with the cleanup efforts were exposed to high doses of asbestos fibers and other toxins. Individuals who were present at Ground Zero are at risk of developing mesothelioma from this asbestos exposure.

Additional pollution problems threatened lower Manhattan in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Debris and dust accumulated from the fallen towers in nearby offices and residences. Many of these buildings were not properly cleaned and remained a threat to individuals inhaling the polluted air.

More than 111,000 people are enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. This program gives free medical care to people with health problems associated with their exposure to the toxic dust from the attacks. The U.S. has spent $11.7 billion on care and compensation for individuals exposed to these toxins. Individuals who worked or lived in lower Manhattan are eligible for free care under this program if they develop certain illnesses. Continuous, long-lasting exposure to asbestos can lead to various asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma. Two decades have passed and individuals are still coming forward to report illnesses that are related to these attacks on 9/11.

An experienced law firm can assist Manhattan mesothelioma victims in attaining the compensation they deserve.