Mesothelioma in New Jersey

Asbestos Exposure in New Jersey

There are 55 sites of naturally occurring asbestos in New Jersey, mostly in the north. Despite this, there was limited historical asbestos mining in the state. Most asbestos exposure in New Jersey is linked to its status as a national hub for chemical production, plastics manufacturing, and other industries that relied heavily on asbestos. 

In addition to heavy industrial use, the widespread inclusion of asbestos-containing construction materials in structures built from the 1940s through the late 1970s contributed to New Jersey’s consistent ranking in the top 10 states for mesothelioma incidence. 

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma due to exposure in New Jersey, you may qualify for multiple forms of compensation.

Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in New Jersey

Mesothelioma treatment is expensive and often debilitating, and many patients cannot work during treatment, worsening financial strain. Compensation can help victims cover the costs of care and create a secure financial future for themselves and their loved ones.

On average, eligible claimants may receive over $1 million in total compensation, but this funding often comes from multiple sources. The amount of compensation claimants receive also varies significantly depending on the individual circumstances of their claim, including age, the number of companies involved, and the types of compensation pursued. 

For example, victims who pursue an out-of-court settlement can generally expect $1 million to $1.4 million, while claimants who pursue a trial verdict typically recover $5 million to $11.4 million. 

Our expert patient advocates can help you determine your eligibility for compensation and identify all available options, helping you maximize your total award amount through a free, fast case consultation.

Common Options for Mesothelioma Compennsation in New Jersey

Eligibility Requirements for Compensation in New Jersey

To access compensation in New Jersey, victims of asbestos exposure must meet certain eligibility criteria. The precise requirements vary depending on the type of compensation the victim chooses to pursue, but there are a few overarching eligibility requirements.  

• Proof of Exposure: Documentation showing exposure to specific asbestos-containing products or presence at work sites where asbestos was used.
• Medical Eligibility: Diagnosis with an asbestos-related illness backed by documentation and testing that links the condition to the patient’s exposure history.
• Statute of Limitations: The deadline to file personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in New Jersey is 2 years from the date of diagnosis or death. Claims must be filed within this deadline, or the right to collect compensation expires.  

When seeking compensation through asbestos trusts, lawsuits, workers’ compensation, and the VA, the burden of proof is on the victim. Claims must be supported by documentation and evidence. 

Examples of documents used to prove eligibility:

• Medical records
• Proven diagnosis
• Death certificate
• Employment records
• Eyewitness account
• Paystubs

Finding the evidence needed to build a strong claim can be challenging, especially for mesothelioma victims who may have been exposed decades before they were diagnosed. Asbestos litigation experts have the knowledge and resources to help their clients find critical documentation.

If you or a family member has been injured by asbestos exposure in New Jersey and you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements above, we encourage you to reach out. We can help determine your eligibility with a free, fast case assessment. 

Some claimants may be eligible to pursue compensation in more than one state. If you were exposed to asbestos in a state other than New Jersey, we can help you determine which one offers the best filing environment.

Mesothelioma Settlements in New Jersey

As one of the top 10 states in the U.S. for mesothelioma incidence, it’s no surprise that New Jersey is a major site of asbestos litigation. Although claimants face significant challenges pursuing compensation, they also have many opportunities to secure the money they need and deserve.

Top New Jersey settlements and verdicts:

The Top Asbestos Exposure Risks in New Jersey

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. However, the people at the highest risk for developing asbestos-related illnesses are those who experienced regular occupational exposure. 

In New Jersey, these risks affected workers in its thriving plastic manufacturing, chemical processing, and construction industries, particularly those whose jobs required direct contact with asbestos-containing materials. 

Chemical Plant Worker

Chemical plants used asbestos-containing materials in their facilities, equipment, and protective clothing due to its resistance to heat, fire, and chemical corrosion. 

Anyone working in these facilities may have been exposed to asbestos, but the highest risks fall on chemical engineers, insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, mechanics, and maintenance workers. 

Asbestos chemical companies in New Jersey:

• Allied Chemical Corp (Edgewater, Haledon, Hopewell, Linden, Morristown, Newark, Trenton) 
• Exxon (Bayonne)
• Hess Oil & Chemical (Bayonne, Little Ferry, Port Reading, Pennsauken, Perth Amboy)
• Merck (Rahway)
• Monsanto (Bridgeport, Camden, Gibbstown, Kearny, Trenton)

Plastic Manufacturing Employee

Plastic manufacturers used asbestos insulation and components in their facilities and equipment. Many also added asbestos to products such as Bakelite, molding compounds, PVC, and other types of reinforced plastic to increase durability, heat resistance, and electrical nonconductivity. 

Molders and finishing workers who poured compounds into hoppers, removed molded parts, and sanded or ground off excess material face the highest risks from airborne asbestos fibers. 

Asbestos plastic companies in New Jersey:

• Celanese (Belvidere, Newark)
• Owens-Illinois (Glassboro)
• Union Carbide (Bound Brook, Morris Township)

Construction Worker

Buildings across New Jersey began incorporating asbestos materials as early as the 1920s, although use of asbestos-containing construction materials peaked between the 1940s and the late 1970s. Construction workers who interacted closely with these materials often inhaled or ingested hazardous, cancer-causing particles.  

Construction workers in New Jersey still face risks from asbestos today when working on structures built before 1980, where asbestos may still be present.

Common asbestos-containing construction materials:

• Adhesives
• Caulk
• Ceiling tiles
• Cement
• Drywall
• Floor tiles
• Glazing compound
• HVAC components
• Insulation
• Joint compound
• Lagging
• Mastic
• Plaster
• Putty
• Roofing felt
• Shingles
• Spackling
• Transite board

Family Members & Loved Ones

Asbestos workers frequently brought fibers home on their hair, skin, and clothing, unknowingly exposing family members to contaminated work clothes, tools, or vehicles. 

Chores such as laundry could result in secondary exposure, leading to serious illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer decades later. 

Top Exposure Sites in New Jersey

New Jersey has 4,412 known asbestos exposure sites statewide, evidence of the mineral’s importance to the local economy. A wide variety of New Jersey companies used asbestos in their products, facilities, and machinery for decades. 

These companies knew that asbestos was hazardous, but continued using it despite the dangers, exposing thousands of workers and residents. Injured people and their loved ones have multiple options for seeking compensation depending on the status of the companies involved.

Common Solvent Companies That Used Asbestos in New Jersey

Many New Jersey asbestos companies still choose to handle their liability through the civil court system. These companies are solvent, meaning they haven’t sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection nor established asbestos trust funds to compensate their victims. 

Victims seeking to hold these companies accountable must do so through a mesothelioma lawsuit. Lawsuits offer higher average compensation than trusts, but can take years to resolve. 

Solvent asbestos companies in New Jersey:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Exxon
• Celanese 
• Monsanto
• Union Carbide

Common Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims in New Jersey

Many asbestos companies declared bankruptcy when their liabilities became too heavy to manage. To emerge from bankruptcy, these companies must establish trust funds to compensate all current and future victims of their negligence.

There are over 60 active asbestos trust funds in the U.S. These trusts have paid out over $20 billion to victims and their loved ones and hold over $30 billion in remaining funds. Many trusts pay out within 90 days.

Examples of asbestos trust funds available to New Jersey residents:

• Johns Manville
• Owens Corning (Fibreboard)
• Owens-Illinois
• W.R. Grace

How to File for Mesothelioma Compensation in New Jersey

Starting the compensation process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Most victims seek the help of mesothelioma lawyers who specialize in navigating the complexities of asbestos litigation. 

A skilled mesothelioma attorney can help your claim proceed smoothly, easing the burden while ensuring the best possible outcome. Claimants represented by asbestos litigation specialists not only receive guidance and support through every stage of the compensation process, but they also recover higher average awards. 

The team at Meirowitz & Wasserberg has worked with mesothelioma patients and their families for over a decade in New Jersey and across the U.S., enabling them to offer clients a predictable, low-stress experience.

1. Meet With a Mesothelioma Attorney
   1. Your initial consultation allows you the opportunity to ask your prospective lawyer questions. The goal is to help you understand your options, the potential value of your case, and what you can expect from the compensation process. 
2. Gather Evidence & Documentation
   1. If you choose to move forward, your legal team will handle gathering the evidence needed to build a strong case. Even if you’re unsure where to find certain records, an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help track down employment histories, medical records, and more to support your claim.
3. File Claims
   1. Next, your attorney will file your claim with the appropriate court, asbestos trust fund, or other compensation program. Because many victims qualify for compensation from multiple sources, your legal team may pursue several claims at the same time to help secure the maximum recovery available.
4. Claim Discovery or Review
   1. Once your lawyer files your claim, the defendant(s) will review the information. They may conduct their own investigation or request additional supporting evidence. Your lawyer will handle all communication during this stage. 
5. Settlement, Trial, or Liquidation
   1. Often, a strong claim results in an offer of payment, either through the trust liquidation process or through a negotiated out-of-court settlement. In some cases, your claim may proceed to trial, where your attorney will represent you and your case until it is resolved.

For many victims, applying for trust fund compensation is a critical part of the compensation process, offering victims a fast, stress-free way to pursue compensation without ever setting foot inside a courtroom.

Changes to Asbestos Litigation in New Jersey

Every state has unique laws and regulations governing asbestos litigation. In New Jersey, 92% of asbestos claims are handled through the Multicounty Litigation program (MCL) in Middlesex County.  

This program centralizes discovery and pretrial motions, creating a single point of case management for defendants and plaintiffs. There are currently over 1,300 pending claims.

New Jersey has also recently tightened asbestos abatement regulations through the Asbestos Control and Licensing Act and Regulations (ACLA), which requires state licensing for abatement companies and state-issued permits for every worker engaged in abatement work. 

Seeking Treatment for Mesothelioma in New Jersey?

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that local cancer doctors may not be prepared to treat. 

Seeing a mesothelioma specialist gives patients and their loved ones access to the cutting-edge treatment options and clinical trials that form a critical part of many mesothelioma care plans. 

Top mesothelioma treatment center in New Jersey:

• Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (New Brunswick)
• Carol G. Simon Cancer Center (Morristown)
• Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care (Paramus)
• Regional Cancer Care Associates and RWJBarnabas Health

Mesothelioma treatment can be expensive, costing an average of over $400,000 annually. Many patients also need to travel to receive care, adding travel expenses and lodging costs to the already significant financial burden.

Compensation from lawsuits, trust funds, the VA, and more can help cover the costs of care and provide for living expenses during a difficult time. Our team can help you start the compensation process for free, in just a few minutes, with a complimentary case assessment. 

Once you know your eligibility status, we can connect you to additional resources, such as our Doctor Match program, which connects patients to over 500 top mesothelioma care providers nationwide, helping you get the diagnosis, second opinion, or care you need without spending crucial time on a wait list. 

Contact us today to unlock free access to compensation support, connect with specialist medical care, and get legal help. 

How We Can Help

For over a decade, the Mesothelioma Fund has helped victims and their families access critical services free of charge. We can help you determine your eligibility for compensation, learn more about the potential value of your claim, connect you with top-quality care through our Doctor Match program, and help you secure specialized legal assistance with a partner law firm.

Meirowitz and Wasserberg is a nationally ranked asbestos litigation firm, with experience in the New Jersey court system. Their expertise and structured system for handling asbestos claims keep clients’ cases moving smoothly, providing every claimant with the resources and aggressive representation of a major firm, along with the customer service of a local business.

Their expert team has helped claimants secure over $500 million in total compensation, helping patients and their families cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and more.

If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos in New Jersey and you are injured, we want to help you start your compensation journey today. Contact us to get your free case assessment.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

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