Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer

With the assistance of experienced Illinois mesothelioma lawyers, asbestos victims are fighting back and demanding justice. Illinois has a long history of companies associated with asbestos use, including timber, power generation, manufacturing, oil refining, and others.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to significant compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Illinois, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.

We offer help in all cities and towns in Illinois, including:

Chicago, Aurora,  Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Champaign, Bloomington, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Schaumburg, Decatur, Bolingbrook, Palatine, Skokie, Des Plaines, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Berwyn, Mount Prospect, Normal, Wheaton, Hoffman Estates, Oak Park, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glenview, Lombard, DeKalb, Moline, Belleville, Buffalo, Grove, Urbana, Plainfield, Bartlett, Quincy, Crystal Lake, Carol Stream, Streamwood, Romeoville, Rock Island, Hanover Park, Carpentersville, Wheeling, Park Ridge, Addison, Calumet City, Glendale Heights, Pekin, Northbrook, Elk Grove Village, Woodridge, St. Charles, Danville, Oswego, Galesburg, Mundelein, Gurnee, Algonquin, Chicago Heights, North Chicago, Niles, Highland Park, Granite City, Burbank, O’Fallon, Lake in the Hills, Lansing ,Oak Forest, Round Lake Beach, Glen, Ellyn, West Chicago, Wilmette, Alton, Kankakee, McHenry, East St. Louis, Batavia, Carbondale, Vernon Hills, Melrose Park, Harvey, Belvidere, Huntley, Woodstock, Collinsville, Freeport, Lockport, Elmwood Park, Westmont, New Lenox, Edwardsville, Zion, Homer, Glen, Rolling Meadows, and more.

Why Should I Sue for Mesothelioma?

You didn’t just get mesothelioma because of bad luck. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by negligent asbestos exosure, usually in the workplace. The company you worked for or asbestos companies that supplied your workplace failed to warn you of the risks or to protect you.

All of this means that negligent asbestos companies can and should be held accountable for the harm they caused you.

More practically, people with mesothelioma file a lawsuit or make an asbestos claim to get compensation. Mesothelioma treatment is expensive. Compensation covers medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Do I Need an Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer?

For the best chance of a successful claim that leads to compensation, you need legal representation. Top-rated Illinois mesothelioma lawyers are available to help you with one or more actions:

• Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit
• Asbestos trust fund claim
• Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit
• Veteran benefits

Select an asbestos attorney who is part of a large firm that can operate in multiple states. Asbestos cases are too complicated and resource-intensive to settle for less. Large firms can dedicate money and time to complicated mesothelioma lawsuits.

How Will a Lawyer Prove My Asbestos Exposure?

One reason that asbestos cases are so complex is that they require a chain of evidence from companies that provided asbestos to your diagnosis of a related illness. An experienced asbestos law firm can prove your case by:

• Exploring your work history
• Investigating companies you worked for or that supplied your workplaces
• Getting medical experts to confirm your diagnosis and its connection to asbestos
• Determining all the costs associated with your diagnosis

In addition to these crucial steps, Illinois asbestos attorneys leverage their local expertise to delve deeper into each case. This local knowledge allows them to:

• Identify Liable Companies: Pinpointing which companies are responsible for asbestos exposure is critical for building a strong case.

• Build Strong Cases: Armed with evidence and expert testimony, these attorneys craft persuasive legal arguments.

• Navigate Complex State Laws: Expertise in Illinois-specific asbestos litigation ensures they can adeptly manage legal proceedings, crucial for securing compensation.

Through a combination of meticulous investigation and in-depth legal knowledge, Illinois asbestos attorneys work tirelessly to achieve favorable outcomes for their clients, ensuring that every aspect of your case is handled with precision and care.

How Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Illinois?

Asbestos exposure most often occurs in the workplace. Many industries used asbestos in the past, including several that employed thousands of people in Illinois. This legacy exposure is particularly troubling in older buildings where asbestos was heavily utilized. Notable sites in Illinois where asbestos exposure has been a concern include the Chicago Nuclear Powerhouse and the Illinois Central Railroad in Peoria. The Kentile Floors plant in Chicago is another location where asbestos was prevalent, posing risks to workers and nearby communities.

These sites highlight how the remnants of asbestos use continue to impact individuals today, emphasizing the importance of awareness and safety measures, especially in industries with a history of asbestos application.

The Johns Manville Corporation

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Johns Manville Corporation in Waukegan is a Superfund site, a designation that refers to a huge amount of toxic contamination.

Over 3 million cubic yards of products and waste, including asbestos products, were dumped at the site. The most significant health threat at the site was airborne asbestos fibers.

The site shut down in 1998. Since then, investigators found seven locations outside the site’s fenced area contaminated with asbestos. The EPA cleaned one of the areas in 2000, and the rest were cleaned up in the following years. In addition, several wastewater treatment ponds shut down in 2005. The clean-up is ongoing.

Vermiculite Processing in Chicago

A vermiculite processing facility in Chicago received hundreds of thousands of tons of asbestos-contaminated material in the 1970s and 1980s. The vermiculite came from the W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana.

W.R. Grace operated the mine and shipped tons of vermiculite tainted with asbestos to facilities nationwide. Workers in those facilities were unknowingly exposed to asbestos.

Where Else in Illinois Are People Exposed to Asbestos?

People who worked in oil refineries, steel plants, and power plants in Illinois run the highest risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. All standard oil refineries in Illinois have been a part of lawsuits, and almost all power generation plants used asbestos. As a result, some of these workers now suffer from malignant mesothelioma.

Specific Sites of Concern

<A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company’s facility> in Decatur is one such site where workers have faced asbestos exposure. An evaluation in 1989 highlighted excess cases of related diseases. Additionally, veterans at in Rantoul were exposed, although an asbestos removal project in 2015 aimed to mitigate this risk.

is another critical site due to its proximity to a large disposal area contaminated with asbestos and other toxins. Studies indicate airborne asbestos here poses significant risk, affecting nearby areas including Lake Michigan.

Widespread Industrial and Educational Risk

Many old pre-1980s schools, public buildings, and homes were built using asbestos. Teachers, administrators, other employees, students, and residents in these buildings risk exposure. As the structures age, the chance of developing mesothelioma cancer increases. This risk is compounded by Illinois’ history of using asbestos in shipbuilding, manufacturing, and construction.

Jobs With Higher Risks of Asbestos Exposure

• Factory workers
• Farmworkers
• Manufacturing workers
• Military veterans
• Oil refinery workers
• Power generation workers
• Railway workers
• Teachers

The presence of asbestos in various industries led to secondhand exposure, as workers often carried fibers home, affecting their families. Furthermore, Illinois is home to numerous locations that processed asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, intensifying the risk for those near these sites.

By understanding the specific sites and the historical context of asbestos use in Illinois, we can better appreciate the pervasive risks and ongoing challenges in addressing asbestos exposure.

Illinois Businesses and Buildings with Asbestos:

Plants

• Laclede Steel Plant
• Owens-Illinois Plant
• Argo Corn Products Power Plant
• Caterpillar Plant
• Forty-Eight Insulations Plant
• Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Plant
• Humko Oil Plant
• Armour Manufacturing Plant
• Campbell’s Soup Plant
• Continental Can Plant
• Crawford Station Power Plant
• Dresden Nuclear Power Plant
• General Electric Appliance Plant
• Procter & Gamble Plant
• Reynolds Metals Plant
• Southwest Incinerator Plant
• Thomas A. Edison Nuclear Power Plant
• Roth Rubber Plant
• Quad City Nuclear Plant
• Baldwin Power Plant
• Staley Corn Products Plant
• Petro Chemical Plant
• Gainesburger Plant
• Dresden Nuclear Power Plant
• Duck Creek Power Plant
• Peoria Power Plant
• Allis-Chalmers Assembly Plant
• State of Illinois Power Plant
• Buick Jet Engine Plant

Schools

• Alton School District
• Belleville Area College
• Belleville East High School
• University of Illinois
• Loyola University
• University of Chicago
• Belvidere Senior High School
• Southern Illinois University
• Hillsboro High School
• Green Street School
• Champaign High School
• University of Illinois
• Waterloo High School
• Newman Grade School
• Milton Elementary School
• Thebes High School (demolished in 2005)
• Magnolia School (demolished in 2005)
• Cairo School (demolished in 2007)

Oil Companies

• Humko Oil Plant
• Mobil Oil Refinery
• Clark Oil and Refining Co.
• Pure Oil Refinery
• Shell Oil Co.
• Standard Oil
• Ohio Oil
• Clark Oil

Power Companies (For additional power companies, see also: Plants)

• Baldwin Powerhouse
• Clinton Powerhouse
• Illinois Power Co.
• Jacksonville Powerhouse
• Joliet Power House Tool Inc.
• REA Power House
• Southern Illinois Power Co-Op
• Abbott Power Station
• Bechtel Power
• Edison Powerhouse
• Lakeside Powerhouse
• Waterloo Powerhouse
• Argonne Powerhouse
• Wood River Powerhouse

How Much Compensation Can an Illinois Asbestos Attorney Help Me Get?

Compensation amounts are different in any case. Your lawyer can provide a reasonable estimate of what you can expect based on the particulars of your situation. They cannot guarantee you a certain amount.

These are just a few examples of the amounts Illinois mesothelioma lawyers have won for their clients:

• $250 Million. The largest-ever asbestos verdict was handed out in Illinois in 2003. Plaintiff Roby Whittington worked for U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana but won his lawsuit in Madison County, Illinois.
• $23 Million. Cynthia Cowger developed asbestos lung cancer after working at Qualitex Company. A Cook County jury awarded her $23 million.
• $3.4 Million. Richard Worthley worked for Johns Manville in Illinois and died from mesothelioma. His family won their wrongful death lawsuit.

Illinois Laws That Affect Asbestos Litigation

The process of filing asbestos lawsuits depends on state laws. In Illinois, several laws and regulations impact how and when you file and how much compensation you can get.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is a deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. For personal injury asbestos cases, you have two years from the time of diagnosis to file. If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you have two years from when your loved one passed away.

Fast-Track Filing

Illinois allows some plaintiffs to be fast-tracked through the system due to terminal illness. Mesothelioma qualifies for this rule. It allows a case to be tried in six months or less. A case can take years to resolve in the courts without a fast track.

Mesothelioma patients in Illinois benefit from this expedited process because their condition is terminal. This designation ensures their cases reach trial swiftly, often within six months, unlike in other states where litigation can drag on for years. This fast-tracking is crucial, given the urgency and severity of the patients’ medical circumstances.

By prioritizing these cases, the state acknowledges the critical need for timely legal resolutions, providing a more efficient path to justice for those affected.

Limits on Compensation

Illinois does not cap non-economic damages as many other states do, but some rules might limit your compensation amount. For instance, if you received compensation from an asbestos trust, any award you receive in a lawsuit can be reduced by that amount.

Illinois also follows comparative fault. This means that you must show that the defendants are at least 51% liable for the harm caused to you. You might carry some of the blame, but you can still recover damages if it is less than half.

In Illinois, the liability rules are structured to ensure a fair distribution of responsibility among defendants:

• 51% Liability Threshold: Plaintiffs must demonstrate that the defendants’ combined liability is at least 51% to be eligible for any compensation. This threshold is crucial for the recovery of damages.
• Severally Liable Defendants: If a defendant is found to be less than 25% at fault, they are considered severally liable. This means they are responsible only for their portion of the damages.
• Joint and Several Liability: Defendants who are more than 25% at fault are held jointly and severally liable. This implies they may be responsible for the entire amount of damages, not just their share, allowing plaintiffs to recover full compensation even if some defendants cannot pay their portion.

These rules ensure that while you may have a part in the blame, as long as it’s less than half, you still have the chance to recover damages from those primarily responsible.

Illinois Asbestos Safety Laws

The Illinois EPA Asbestos Unit, along with the Illinois Department of Health, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the public and workers from the hazards of asbestos exposure. Their responsibilities stretch beyond enforcement to include oversight of permits and safety assurance during removal projects.

These departments are guided by laws such as the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which include stringent asbestos handling standards. Among the key regulations they enforce are:

• Notification and Fees: Homeowners must notify the state within 10 business days of beginning an abatement project and pay all applicable NESHAP fees.
• Certification Requirements: Any individual working on an asbestos abatement project must be certified to handle asbestos safely. This ensures that only qualified professionals manage these hazardous materials.
• Professional Assistance: It’s strongly recommended that homeowners contact certified asbestos professionals rather than attempting to remove asbestos themselves. This minimizes health risks and ensures compliance with regulations.
• Project Monitoring: Buildings and facilities must be properly monitored at all times during an asbestos abatement project. Large, visible warning signs are required to alert individuals of the presence of asbestos.
• Air Quality Testing: Air samples must be taken to determine the amount of asbestos in the air for every asbestos project, ensuring that exposure levels remain within safe limits.

While these state regulations apply universally to anyone working around asbestos, it’s important to note that different areas in Illinois, such as Cook County and the city of Chicago, have their own specific set of rules that must also be adhered to.

By understanding the comprehensive role that local and state departments play in regulating asbestos, individuals and businesses can better navigate the complexities of compliance and contribute to a safer environment.

For more detailed information, contact the Illinois EPA Asbestos Unit at 217-524-0229.

Getting Medical and Legal Help in Illinois

Located off Maryland Avenue in Chicago, the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCC)  is a renowned medical center that treats cancer patients with the most advanced mesothelioma treatments.

With cutting-edge technology and new equipment, UCCC is one of the best places for mesothelioma patients to get treatment. It has consistently ranked highly in the U.S. News and World Report’s poll for “Best Hospitals.”

Several cities in Illinois have become well-known for lawsuits against companies that used asbestos. For example, Madison County has handled masses of nationwide asbestos lawsuits. From 1994 until 2009, thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits have been filed in Madison County, and the number continues to grow today.

Madison County’s prominence in asbestos litigation is partly due to its reputation as one of the nation’s top jurisdictions for these types of cases. Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the volume of asbestos legal claims led to a significant backlog. In response, the county’s judicial system implemented crucial reforms aimed at processing cases more efficiently, setting a precedent for handling large volumes of litigation.

These reforms not only helped manage the existing caseload but also attracted more filings from across the country, further cementing Madison County’s role in the national landscape of asbestos litigation. As a result, the county continues to see a steady influx of new cases, maintaining its significant position in this specialized area of law.

This firm was extremely professional and responsive. If you have any meso questions, I’d highly recommend them

-Michael L.

Getting Legal Assistance in Illinois

If you’ve been a victim of asbestos exposure and suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may qualify for considerable compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area.