Nassau Coliseum Workers Exposed to Asbestos Will File Lawsuits

More than 100 workers are alleging that long-term exposure to asbestos at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, N.Y., has made them seriously ill.

The plaintiffs represent current and former employees of the county-owned arena. They include electricians and carpenters who worked as independent contractors.

Attorney Joseph Dell tells Newsday that 140 people have filed notices of claim, the first step toward filing a lawsuit. He says they’ll name the county, the New York Islands and facility manager SMG.

The lawsuits will claim they failed to protect them from asbestos exposure throughout the arena.

The lawsuits will likely be consolidated into a class action. They’ll seek between $500 million to $1 billion.

The county’s lawyer said “there is no substance behind these claims.”

SMG declined to comment.

The Islander’s didn’t return calls for comment.