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Asbestos exposure has long been linked to serious health conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. While many people know that individuals who worked directly with asbestos may have legal grounds to seek compensation, fewer are aware that those who experienced secondhand exposure—often called “take-home” exposure—may also have valid claims under New Jersey law.
Secondhand asbestos exposure happens when someone comes into contact with asbestos fibers carried home on the clothing, skin, hair, or personal items of a family member or household member who worked around asbestos-containing materials. In the past, workers in industries such as shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, and insulation often unknowingly brought asbestos dust home, putting their loved ones at risk.
Common examples of secondhand exposure include:
Secondhand exposure can cause the same dangerous diseases as direct exposure. Because asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop, it can be difficult to connect current illnesses to past exposure without expert medical and legal assistance.
Conditions linked to secondhand asbestos exposure include:
Yes. New Jersey courts recognize that companies involved in manufacturing, distributing, or using asbestos had a duty to warn not only their employees but also individuals who could be foreseeably harmed by take-home exposure. Legal precedents in New Jersey and nationwide have held employers and manufacturers accountable for asbestos-related injuries caused by secondhand exposure.
Yes. New Jersey law imposes statutes of limitations on asbestos claims. Typically, the clock starts ticking from the date of diagnosis rather than the date of exposure, which is important given the long latency period of asbestos diseases. Consulting an experienced New Jersey asbestos attorney promptly is critical to ensure your claim is filed within the legal deadlines.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and believes it resulted from secondhand exposure, start by gathering information about the work history of the person who handled asbestos. This includes employer details, job duties, locations, and timelines involving asbestos exposure.
Our compassionate New Jersey asbestos lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler have represented numerous clients affected by direct and secondhand asbestos exposure. For a free consultation, call our Philadelphia office at 215-569-4000 or complete our online form. We proudly serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.