Xerox Asbestos Lawsuit [2025 Update]

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Former Xerox workers, contractors, and copier technicians are filing lawsuits after being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma. Many workers came into contact with asbestos while working in factories and servicing Xerox’s products.

Additionally, Xerox buildings (like Xerox Tower and the Webster campus) were made and insulated with asbestos-containing components. People say Xerox did not give them the training and tools to protect themselves from on-the-job asbestos exposure.

On this page, you will learn about Xerox’s history of asbestos use, asbestos exposure at Xerox, which Xerox sites are contaminated with asbestos, and how Xerox workers are getting asbestos-related diseases.

This article also explains how asbestos exposure at Xerox can harm your health, who is eligible to file a lawsuit, and what compensation may be available. We also explore the steps involved in filing a Xerox asbestos lawsuit and how a reputable asbestos law firm, like King Law, can help.

About the Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuit Updates

June 16, 2010: Remediation Plan Continues for Xerox Building in Henrietta

An environmental firm has submitted a Site Management Plan about the contamination levels and cleanup efforts at Xerox’s Building 801 in Henrietta, New York. Xerox Building 801 was built using asbestos-containing cement, piping, joint compound, ceiling tiles, and other materials. Remediation efforts are underway to identify and remove the contamination, helping to keep people safe. However, people who worked at Xerox were already exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos, and they are being diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and related illnesses.

March 21, 2005: Watchdog Group Intends to Sue Xerox for Not Warning Public About Products’ Cancer Risks

Consumer Defense Group Action is holding Xerox accountable for not telling California consumers about the carcinogens in its products. Some of the problematic chemicals include carbon black, benzene, and styrene oxide. California’s Proposition 65 requires Xerox to put a warning label on its products if something in them can cause cancer. Meanwhile, Xerox is also under fire because it subjected its workforce to asbestos and did not take proper steps to warn or protect them.

July 25, 1991: Technician Develops Mesothelioma from Asbestos in Heat Fuser in Xerox Machines

Bernard Mendelowitz sued Xerox, the company that made the copiers he would work on for the US Government. Bernard claims that the asbestos in the heat fuser devices in Xerox copiers contained asbestos. He also believes that Xerox was aware that asbestos caused cancer and should have warned him or created a safer product. Bernard died before his Xerox asbestos lawsuit ended, so his widow, Joyce, continued the lawsuit to recover compensation because of his death.

April 12, 1980: Chemical in Xerox Copier Causes Cancer, Asbestos Risks Rise

A report published in the New York Times discovered that a chemical used in some Xerox copiers may cause cancer. These chemicals (which include benzene and carbon black) can increase someone’s cancer risk if they are exposed to them over a long period of time. Xerox workers also have a higher chance of developing cancer because of exposure to asbestos in the machines and their work environments.

February 26, 1967: Xerox Builds Xerox Tower in Rochester, New York

Xerox is constructing the Xerox Tower in Rochester, New York, and it is slated to be the largest poured concrete building in the city. Xerox Tower stands 30 stories tall, and it is constructed using steel, pipes, drywall, and other components that contain asbestos. Construction workers are also spraying asbestos fireproofing material directly onto steel and installing asbestos insulation, putting them at risk of breathing in the fibers.

Xerox’s History of Asbestos Use

Xerox buildings were constructed in the mid-20th century and were made from materials that contained asbestos. For example, steel beams were sprayed with asbestos fireproofing material, and asbestos-containing joint compound and ceiling tiles lined the rooms. Asbestos insulation was also installed in the walls and around pipes. Some of Xerox’s early copiers contained asbestos as well.

Xerox Timeline: Asbestos, Abatement, and Substitutions

Xerox’s use of asbestos peaked in the 1950s through the 1970s when the company ramped up production and expanded its factories and offices. At those times, using asbestos was standard practice, even though many companies were aware of the dangers.

Here is a timeline of notable events in Xerox’s history:

• 1949: Haloid releases its first copier, the “Model A,” which may have contained asbestos parts in its fuser
• 1958: Haloid changes its name to Haloid Xerox.
• 1959: Xerox releases the 914 xerographic copier, which may have also contained asbestos parts in its fuser
• 1961: Haloid Xerox changes its name to Xerox Corporation.
• 1960: Xerox opens the Wilson Center for Research and Technology in Webster, New York.
• 1960s: Xerox creates several new facilities for production and research, exposing many people to asbestos through construction.
• 1981: Xerox introduces electronic memory typewriters, the Memorywriter.

Once OSHA passed its first set of asbestos regulations in 1971 , Xerox and other businesses started phasing out asbestos products in favor of safer alternatives. However, this shift was too late to protect the Xerox workers who had already been exposed to asbestos. Moreover, many Xerox workers were still not told about the risks of asbestos or given tools to protect themselves from the harmful fibers.

Which Xerox Facilities Had Asbestos Exposure?

Many Xerox facilities contained asbestos, including the Webster Manufacturing Campus, Xerox Tower, and Xerox Building 801. These Xerox buildings contained asbestos in the walls, ceilings, pipes, electrical wiring, insulation, and equipment. Xerox workers at these sites breathed in asbestos fibers that they or other colleagues released into the air.

Webster Manufacturing Campus

The Webster Manufacturing Campus was built in the 1960s and 1970s and served as Xerox’s research and engineering center. The complex was constructed using joint compounds containing asbestos, contaminated ceiling tiles, fireproof asbestos insulation, and asbestos-cement piping. Xerox workers at the Webster location routinely encountered asbestos when they were building, testing, and using on-site equipment.

Xerox Tower

Xerox Tower was built in the 1960s and is 30 stories high. Workers constructing the Xerox building used asbestos-containing materials. For example, fireproofing insulation made with asbestos was sprayed onto the steel and stuffed into walls. Oftentimes, people were working with the asbestos fibers by hand, with little to no face coverings or gloves.

Other Xerox Buildings Containing Asbestos (Building 801 in Henrietta, etc.)

Other Xerox buildings were made from or housed equipment that contained asbestos. For example, Building 801 in Henrietta, New York, was built in 1965 and 1971, and was made from asbestos-based materials. Xerox Building 801 was also the subject of a 2010 investigation about other types of widespread contamination. Xerox workers and construction workers were exposed to asbestos at this facility, and they are developing mesothelioma and other cancers because of it.

Which Xerox Employees Had the Highest Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Many Xerox employees and contractors were at high risk of asbestos exposure. People who constructed or demolished buildings and research facilities may have been exposed to asbestos.

Xerox workers who may have been exposed to asbestos include:

• Pipefitters
• Steamfitters
• Plumbers
• Insulators
• Boilermakers
• Electricians
• Sheet-metal workers
• Carpenters
• Drywallers
• Bricklayers
• Laborers
• Custodial workers
• Maintenance mechanics and workers
• Contractors
• Fireproofers
• HVAC technicians
• Copier and printer technicians

Xerox copier technicians and people who used the early models of Xerox copiers were also exposed to asbestos within the units themselves. Family members of Xerox workers came into contact with asbestos that was brought home on work clothes.

How Were Xerox Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Xerox workers were exposed to asbestos in the following ways:

• Cutting, removing, and installing asbestos-containing pipe (like transite pipe) and pipe coverings
• Mixing, spraying, scraping, and manipulating asbestos fireproofing material and insulation (like friable insulation)
• Using, opening, moving, and repairing asbestos-containing pumps, valves, gaskets, pipes, packing, and other components
• Servicing, building, and using copiers that were insulated with asbestos
• Drilling, cutting, and attaching equipment to fireproofed walls and steel (especially common during renovations and installations)

Before OSHA enacted asbestos regulations in the 1970s, Xerox employees were given little to no personal protective equipment to prevent them from inhaling asbestos fibers.

Even after OSHA passed asbestos regulations, many companies, including Xerox, were slow to adopt the policies. Workers at Xerox were still exposed to asbestos fibers in their work environments. There is no safe level of asbestos in the human body , so even small amounts of asbestos pose health risks.

Asbestos Exposure for Xerox Office Workers

Because so many of Xerox’s facilities contained asbestos, anyone who worked in buildings that contained asbestos is at risk of developing an asbestos disease. Office workers and administrative personnel may have been exposed to asbestos during times of construction, demolition, remodeling, or repair.

Are Current Xerox Workers At Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

There are ongoing asbestos concerns at Xerox. As of 2025, Xerox still employs about 1,500 workers in the Rochester area. If those workers are present in older buildings, they could be exposed to asbestos. The risk of exposure increases if old building materials are disturbed or renovated. People who work in older Xerox buildings should be mindful of any renovations or deteriorating facilities.

Health Risks Linked to Xerox Asbestos Exposure

The health risks linked to Xerox asbestos exposure include mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural plaques. These diseases often appear years or decades after the Xerox worker inhaled asbestos. That means that people who were exposed from the 1950s on may not have developed the disease, but they could in the future.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases typically have a long latency period. This means that it can take years for a disease to develop after exposure to asbestos. For example, according to the CDC, it can take 20 to more than 70 years for mesothelioma to develop  after asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining (mesothelium) of the lungs and internal organs . Typically, mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, but it can appear in other locations in the body. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, and even a small amount of asbestos can cause mesothelioma to develop years later.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include a dry, painful cough, chest tightness or pain, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. Many Xerox workers developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos-containing fireproof insulation in the Webster Campus and Xerox Tower.

Lung Cancer

Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer. Small amounts of asbestos can enter the lungs and cause inflammation and other changes that allow cancer to develop. A 2024 study noted that asbestos-related lung cancer may be up to six times higher than the asbestos-related mesothelioma rate. That same study explained that, while lung cancer is commonly associated with smoking, about 25% of people with lung cancer have never smoked.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a long-term form of lung disease that is caused by breathing in large amounts of asbestos fibers. These tiny, microscopic asbestos particles enter the lungs and damage the delicate lung tissue. Over time, this can cause scarring to develop, which can show up as shortness of breath, a dry cough, abnormally wide fingers or toes, and chest tightness.

Xerox workers were often in poorly ventilated environments, which meant they inhaled high concentrations of asbestos fibers during their workdays. Xerox workers who sprayed insulation or worked directly with insulation that contained asbestos are at significantly higher risk of developing asbestosis.

Pleural Plaques and Other Cancers

Asbestos exposure is also associated with thickening of the lining of the lungs or chest cavity (called pleural plaques). Pleural plaques are not cancerous, but they can signal previous asbestos exposure. Asbestos is also linked to throat and ovarian cancers. Hundreds of Xerox workers encounter asbestos every day, and their risk of developing an asbestos-related disease or cancer is higher than that of other professions.

Who Qualifies to File a Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

Anyone who worked at Xerox and developed mesothelioma may be eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit. People whose loved one worked at Xerox and died from mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Additionally, people who inhaled asbestos on their loved one’s Xerox work clothes could receive a payout if they develop mesothelioma. If someone who worked at Xerox is unable to file a mesothelioma lawsuit on their own, a family member may pursue an asbestos lawsuit on their behalf.

You do not need to prove that Xerox was responsible for your disease. In fact, most claims will be filed against asbestos manufacturers who made products used at Xerox’s facilities.

What Are the Recoverable Damages in a Xerox Asbestos Lawsuit?

The recoverable damages in a Xerox asbestos lawsuit include the following:

• Past and future medical costs of treatments, chemotherapy, imaging studies, surgeries, long-term care, and check-ups
• Reimbursement of lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Wrongful death damages (funeral and burial costs, loss of consortium, loss of support, etc.)

In some Xerox asbestos cases, the judge may order the at-fault businesses to pay punitive damages to punish them for egregious conduct. Former Xerox employees may also be eligible for payments from an asbestos trust fund or other forms of mesothelioma compensation.

How to File a Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Depending on how you were exposed to asbestos, you may not file your lawsuit against Xerox. Instead, your attorney may file claims against the companies that supplied asbestos products to Xerox and its contractors.

Filing a Xerox asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuit requires following a formal set of steps, including:

• Step 1: Book a Complimentary Case Review — Speak with a seasoned Xerox asbestos lawyer to learn about your potential exposure history and available legal options.
• Step 2: Gather Records — Collaborate with your lawyer to find your residential, employment, and medical records to support your Xerox mesothelioma lawsuit.
• Step 3: Identify Liable Companies — Your lawyer will determine which asbestos manufacturers are responsible for your asbestos exposure at Xerox. Your lawsuit may not be filed against Xerox. Instead, it could be filed against the companies that supplied products to Xerox.
• Step 4: Write and File Legal Complaint — Your asbestos attorney will open your lawsuit by writing the legal complaint and filing it with the appropriate court and against the appropriate companies.
• Step 5: Negotiate Settlement or Go To Trial — Your lawyer will negotiate a settlement of your Xerox mesothelioma claim or go to trial.

King Law has moved dozens of asbestos patients’ cases through these legal steps, and we are prepared to do the same for you. We understand the special requirements involved in bringing Xerox asbestos exposure lawsuits. And, we have a carefully selected suite of resources at our disposal to help us track your Xerox asbestos exposure and determine all possible compensation avenues.

Is There a Deadline to File a Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuit

The due date to file a Xerox asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuit depends on your unique situation. Some asbestos patients have to file their New York-based Xerox lawsuit within three years after they realize they got sick from asbestos exposure at Xerox. However, the filing deadline rules are technical, and factors can push this deadline back or move it forward. A knowledgeable Xerox asbestos attorney can review your situation and tell you what your personalized filing dates are.

Estimated Xerox Asbestos Lawsuit Settlements and Payouts

Settlements for Xerox asbestos lawsuits may reach $1,000,000 or more in some cases. However, each asbestos payout is calculated on a case-by-case basis.

Final Xerox asbestos settlement amounts depend on the Xerox worker’s diagnosis, the impact of their condition on their life, and other factors. Attorneys can help prepare and file strong Xerox mesothelioma lawsuits on behalf of patients and their families.

King Law Is Accepting Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Claims

King Law is now accepting new Xerox asbestos and mesothelioma claims, and we are taking these cases on a contingency basis (no upfront legal costs to hire us). We are well-positioned to help Xerox workers and their surviving family members bring strong asbestos exposure cases involving the Webster plant, Xerox Tower, and Xerox copiers.

King Law has the tools to file a traditional Xerox lawsuit, as well as an asbestos trust fund claim, if possible. We find that taking a dual approach to securing compensation maximizes the potential asbestos payouts for Xerox workers. Our asbestos lawyers and partners will work hard to understand your circumstances, pinpoint your exposure, and file a successful case.

Contact a Xerox Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawyer Today

Get in touch with us today by dialing (585) 496-2648 or filling out an online contact form. We are available to take your call, and our intake specialists can help guide you through the onboarding process. Our firm is accepting personal injury, wrongful death, asbestos trust fund, and other related Xerox asbestos claims.

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