New Jersey Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits

Asbestos was used in New Jersey due to the state’s history of industrialism. It had been a hub for asbestos-product manufacturers and shipyard operations. As a result, employees in the state’s oil refineries, power plants and chemical factories may have been exposed to asbestos. Some common asbestos products include:

• Blown-in attic insulation
• Boiler lagging
• Corrugated or flat paper HVAC duct insulation
• Fiber cement siding
• Floor tile glue (mastic)
• Heavy-duty panels (corrugated)
• Hot water pipe insulation
• Plaster
• Roofing and siding materials
• Some types of linoleum
• Textured ceilings
• Vinyl 9”x9” floor tiles
• Window caulking or glazing

Although asbestos use has largely stopped, exposure risks may still exist in older buildings and with older products. For example, from 1912 to 1980, the largest asbestos-manufacturing plant in North America operated in Manville (Somerset County), New Jersey. The plant employed as many as 3,500 workers and made asbestos products for more than seven decades.

Asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it’s a material known to cause cancer. Exposure can lead to severe asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Between 1999 and 2017, in New Jersey there were:

• 11,367 asbestos-related deaths
• 8,148 deaths from asbestos-related lung cancer
• 1,912 deaths from mesothelioma

In 1997, research concluded that the residents of Somerset County were 25 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than others living in the state. From 1999 to 2021, there were 2,964 cases of mesothelioma in New Jersey.

People exposed to asbestos who later develop asbestos-related diseases could be eligible to file a New Jersey asbestos lawsuit for damages. To qualify for an asbestos lawsuit, claimants typically must provide:

• Medical documentation confirming a diagnosis of mesothelioma or some other asbestos-related condition
• Exposure history identifying where, when and how they came into contact with asbestos
• Timely filing within the applicable statute of limitations, which varies by state and may start upon diagnosis or discovery of the illness

An asbestos attorney might be able to help you establish a connection between your illness and a specific product, employer or job site.

Timeline for filing an asbestos lawsuit in New Jersey

Statutes of limitations are laws establishing deadlines for filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations for asbestos lawsuits in New Jersey is two years from asbestos-related diagnosis or death.

This time limit generally starts to run from the date of diagnosis or the date the individual knew (or should have reasonably known) of their injury and its connection to asbestos exposure. For wrongful death claims linked to asbestos exposure, the statute of limitations in New Jersey is two years from the person’s death.

Potential claimants should reach out to the toxic tort attorneys at Motley Rice to help avoid missing critical deadlines.

Important evidence in New Jersey asbestos claims

To successfully prove a New Jersey asbestos claim, certain evidence is typically required, such as:

• Causation evidence: Occupational history, product ID and expert testimony to prove the disease resulted from asbestos exposure
• Company documents: Construction records, invoices and purchase orders linking products used or produced at the plaintiff’s workplace to their asbestos exposure
• Employment or military service records: Evidence of potential exposure connected to a specific product or workplace
• Expert testimony: Opinions given by medical experts specializing in asbestos-related diseases
• Medical records and pathology: Diagnoses of an asbestos-related disease to help support the claim

Patients diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may receive a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, depending on their diagnosis. This is a difficult time for people affected by asbestos diseases. However, numerous resources are available for New Jersey cancer patients and families through the New Jersey Department of Health.

Other resources for cancer patients

Other resources for patients and their families in New Jersey include:

• Support groups: CancerCare offers free online and live support groups for New Jersey residents undergoing cancer treatment.
• Transportation services: The American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery program provides free rides to and from cancer-related medical appointments.
• Cancer rehabilitation services: The American Cancer Society provides information on cancer rehabilitation services throughout New Jersey.
• Extended stay housing: Joe’s House provides housing resources for cancer patients and their families who must travel to obtain medical care.

Motley Rice attorneys have been pioneers in asbestos litigation for decades, representing thousands of individuals and families harmed by asbestos exposure. Our legal team helped uncover corporate knowledge of asbestos dangers and holds companies accountable through personal injury, wrongful death and product liability claims.

We continue to litigate asbestos cases nationwide, often taking them all the way to trial when necessary. Whether filing an asbestos lawsuit or trust claims, our team brings deep experience and dedication to each asbestos case. Our firm understands the long-term toll asbestos exposure can take not just on the individual but on entire families.

Read more about our toxic exposure experience.