Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyer

Helping Victims of Asbestos Exposure in Chicago Recover Financial Compensation

Thousands of workers have developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure in Chicago’s industrial corridors, including shipyards, railways, and construction sites. An experienced Chicago mesothelioma lawyer from our legal team will help you get justice from the companies responsible for this rare and aggressive cancer, which can be challenging due to the disease’s long latency period. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options during a free consultation.

Mesothelioma Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

$3,750,000: Navy machinist’s mate Albert served his country for 20 years before dying from mesothelioma. We secured millions for his family members after proving that the Great Lakes Naval Station knew workers were at risk but did nothing.

$2,220,000: Lupe, a construction worker, was working on a factory expansion project in the Pullman neighborhood, regularly exposed to construction materials with asbestos. After he died of mesothelioma, our firm recovered a fair settlement for his family.

$1,800,000: Chris was a Chicago Public Schools maintenance worker who regularly cleaned floors that contained asbestos fibers. After years of exposure to asbestos products, he developed mesothelioma and passed away. This settlement came from an asbestos trust fund set up to compensate mesothelioma victims and their families.

Why Choose Chicago Injury Center

Chicago Injury Center is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having secured over $450 million in settlements for 5,000 clients nationwide. Our firm is actively involved in the American Association for Justice. More than that, our mesothelioma lawyers are contributing authors to the National Law Review, sharing our legal knowledge to help other attorneys more effectively represent injury victims.

Types of Mesothelioma Cases We Handle

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds most major organs. Our experienced attorneys handle cases arising from all types of asbestos exposure, including the following.

Pleural Mesothelioma: This form of cancer is in the lining around the lungs and chest wall, often causing patients to develop symptoms similar to lung cancer. It is the most common form, as many victims breathed asbestos fibers at work.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Cancer may form in the lining around the abdominal organs. This is the second-most common type of mesothelioma behind the pleural form.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: This is an extremely rare cancer of the heart’s lining. It is found in only 0.7% of cases, and treatment options are limited due to the location around the heart.

Testicular Mesothelioma: This cancer of the tissue surrounding the testicles is difficult to diagnose, as it does not have distinct clinical signs. There have been fewer than 300 cases reported worldwide since 1957.

What Causes Mesothelioma in Chicago?

Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. This naturally occurring mineral has been used for thousands of years for its fireproofing and insulating properties. Many industries have used asbestos in their products because it is light, water-resistant, and non-flammable. Companies like Owens Corning, General Motors, CertainTeed Corporation, and U.S. Gypsum integrated asbestos into products like roofing shingles, floors, insulation, and firefighting equipment.

However, asbestos is carcinogenic. Its tiny fibers are breathed into the lungs, where they lodge and begin mutating cells. The disease has a long latency period, making it difficult to screen for. While lung diseases are the most commonly known form of cancer related to asbestos exposure, asbestos can cause problems in all major organs, including the abdominal lining and the lining around the heart.

Railroad companies, shipbuilding companies, power plants, and the United States military all exposed thousands of their Chicago-area employees to this dangerous substance. Former pipefitters, naval officers, railroad workers, and construction workers may all be eligible for asbestos litigation.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose, as its symptoms are not always distinctive and may be dismissed as a less serious issue.

Common signs of pleural mesothelioma, the most common form, include:

• Chest pain
• Painful coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Lump under the skin on the chest
• Tiredness and extreme fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the next most common form, affecting the lining of the abdominal wall and organs. Symptoms include:

• Belly pain and swelling
• Nausea
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Unintentional weight loss

Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam, medical history, tissue biopsy, and diagnostic imaging.

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has one of the largest mesothelioma treatment programs in the world, offering treatments like HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion) to patients. This process involves surgery and heated chemotherapy injected directly into the affected tissue.

Sadly, even advanced treatments can cause significant pain for patients, requiring chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Patients may experience respiratory failure, severe pain, and post-surgical complications. The five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma is less than 25%, with survival rates dropping the further that the cancer has spread.

What Damages Can Victims Exposed to Asbestos Recover?

Your mesothelioma claim may include both economic and non-economic damages that encompass the many ways this disease has impacted your life. These can include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Palliative care
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death benefits for families

What Is the Average Mesothelioma Payout in Chicago?

The average mesothelioma payout in Chicago is $66,881,296. Payouts range from $5,601,417 to $250,000,000. Every settlement is different, and these numbers are only averages. Your specific payout will depend on the source of asbestos exposure, clarity of evidence, the victim’s age and occupation, and prognosis.

Example Mesothelioma Cases in Chicago

Bruce Torgerson worked as a “pump man,” responsible for operating and maintaining liquid cargo operations, from 1963 to 1980, in sites throughout the United States. During that time, he was unknowingly exposed to asbestos through John Crane Inc. chrysotile asbestos-containing gaskets and packing. Torgerson died of mesothelioma in 2019, less than a year after being diagnosed. A jury for the Circuit Court of Cook County awarded his family $40,750,000.00.

James O’Reilly, a former pipe fitter, died of mesothelioma only 33 days after being diagnosed with the disease in February 2020. He was exposed to asbestos at two United States Steel Corp. locations in Illinois and Indiana, specifically from valves and gaskets that were coated with the substance. Thirty defendants were named in the suit, including companies like Cargill, 3M, Union Carbide Corporation, and Honeywell International. After deliberation, the court awarded his family $7,217,656.00.

Why You Need a Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos claims are some of the most challenging for several factors. First, mesothelioma has a long latency period of around 33.7 years, making it hard to connect the disease back to occupational exposure. Under Illinois law, a wrongful death claim must make a conclusive link between the person’s death and the defendant’s liability.

Many of these cases have multiple, or even dozens, of defendants, as a variety of companies may have played a role in exposure to asbestos. This significantly complicates the discovery phase, where all parties to the suit share information. Attorneys must review decades of documentation, identify all liable manufacturers and employers, and manage expert testimony.

Our law firm has over 100 years of combined legal experience in securing compensation for patients and their grieving families. We have a strong network of industrial hygiene experts who can assist us in holding these companies accountable for their negligence. With our assistance, you have a higher chance of a fair settlement.

How Common Is Mesothelioma in Illinois?

From 1999 to 2017, there were 12,067 asbestos-related deaths in Illinois. This also includes approximately 9,332 non-mesothelioma lung cancers related to asbestos. Cook County had the highest incidence, with 3,863 deaths between 1999 and 2017. The state average death rate is slightly higher than the nationwide rate, at 5.0 versus 4.9.

A study of Chicago career and volunteer firefighters found that they were at a significantly higher risk of developing mesothelioma than the general population due to insulated firefighting equipment. Even children are at risk of mesothelioma due to exposure in schools. A 2013 report by the Chicago Public Schools district found that 1,174 locations throughout the Chicago area had friable asbestos, meaning it had the potential to become airborne. Despite this, only 11 schools pursued asbestos abatement.

Where Do Mesothelioma Exposures Happen Most in Chicago?

Many industries extensively used asbestos throughout the 20th century, meaning that thousands of workers are at risk of this disease. Common locations for mesothelioma exposure include:

• Construction sites in Pullman, Kinzie, and McKinley Park
• Refineries in Joliet, Chatham, and Burnham
• Steel mills in Chicago Heights and South Chicago
• Shipyards along Lake Michigan
• The Great Lakes Naval Station
• Older office buildings, schools, and warehouses in Pilsen, Bridgeport, and West Chicago

What Illinois Laws Govern Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Cases?

The Illinois Commercial and Public Building Asbestos Abatement Act requires proper licensing for any company or individual involved in asbestos removal, encapsulation, or abatement in public and commercial buildings (225 ILCS 207/).

Not only must these companies be licensed and certified to work on such dangerous products, but there are also mandatory pre-abatement notifications and controls for safely handling the material (77 Ill. Admin. Code § 855.220). All asbestos materials must be safely contained, and air circulation systems must be shut off until the work is complete. Only when air quality has been measured and determined can HVAC systems be turned back on (Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, § 855.240).

Chicago imposes its own rules on asbestos abatement that are equal to, or stricter than, Illinois statutes. These include wetting all materials to ensure fibers do not float freely, notifying all residents and neighbors of the potential risks, and testing paint to ensure it does not contain any contaminants (City Code 11-4-2150 – 11-4-2190).

What Is the Time Limit to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Illinois?

Mesothelioma lawsuits must be started within two years of diagnosis (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For wrongful death claims, families of the deceased have two years from the date of death (740 ILCS 180/2) to file a claim with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer.

Due to the disease’s long latency period, Illinois has permitted a 25-year statute of repose for asbestos claims under the Workers’ Occupational Disease Act (820 ILCS 310/1(f)). There is an exception for civil suits under Section 1.1, meaning you can file a personal injury claim more than 25 years after (820 ILCS 310/1.1). The state Supreme Court upheld this in the 2025 case Martin v. Goodrich Corp.

Who Is Legally Liable for Mesothelioma in Chicago?

Potentially liable parties can include:

• Asbestos product manufacturers
• General contractors and subcontractors
• Employers
• Locomotive companies
• Shipbuilders
• Industrial unions
• Property owners of buildings constructed before 1980

Common Defenses in Asbestos Litigation

Mesothelioma cases are challenging due to the strong defenses that defendants may use. Our skilled mesothelioma lawyers are familiar with these common defenses and can counter them using powerful evidence.

Exposure from Unknown Sources: Because mesothelioma may only develop decades after initial exposure, the defendant may state that the exposure was due to something else, such as living in a home with asbestos insulation. We will use chemical and air quality testing, employment records, and expert testimony to demonstrate otherwise.

Intervening Causes: If the worker left that position decades prior, the defendant could argue that something else resulted in the diagnosis. Medical professionals can testify that exposure in the occupational setting was the likely cause of the disease.

Lack of Documentation: Key evidence may have been destroyed or lost since the initial exposure. However, employment records, site assessments, and business documentation can demonstrate that workers suffered from exposure to asbestos as a result of the work environment or the products being manufactured.

Comparative Negligence: Illinois uses modified comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), which defendants can use to diminish their responsibility. We can show that they were negligent through factors like OSHA violations, operating procedures, witness statements, and occupational safety testimony.

How to Strengthen Your Mesothelioma Case in Chicago

Prompt action is key to winning your case. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

• Follow all treatment recommendations and document your medical care.
• Keep track of all expenses, including medical treatment and palliative care.
• Gather medical records, employment records, union records, and industrial hygiene reports.
• Contact witnesses and ask for their statements about work conditions.
• If you have anything that may contain asbestos, seal it with a special sealant or encapsulate it in a strong plastic wrapping that will not allow the fibers to escape.

How Our Chicago Mesothelioma Attorneys Can Help

We will reconstruct your exposure history through employment records, medical reports, union records, and witness testimony. Through toxicology and diagnostic reports, we can demonstrate that your cancer was primarily caused by workplace negligence.

Additionally, we will consult with industrial hygiene experts, occupational safety experts, and medical professionals who can explain how asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma.

These claims often involve multiple liable parties, such as employers and manufacturers. For example, the employer may have been negligent in using asbestos-contaminated products, while the manufacturer failed to consider the mounting scientific evidence that their products could cause cancer. We can file claims in a timely manner, coordinate with all parties to the suit, and negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement.

While most mesothelioma lawsuits settle out of court, it’s sometimes necessary to take your case to trial. Our attorneys are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, having litigated numerous cases before the Circuit Court of Cook County and the United States Circuit Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

FAQs

Is mesothelioma lung cancer?

No, mesothelioma is not lung cancer. Rather, it is a form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining around the lungs, and while this cancer can begin infiltrating the lungs, it does not start there.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is diagnosed by starting with a physical exam, where the physician will ask about any previous exposure to asbestos. Once this is complete, the physician will typically order X-rays, CT scans, and tissue biopsies to confirm the diagnosis.

How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for malignant mesothelioma includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and palliative care. While treatment options for mesothelioma have improved significantly over the years, patients typically have a low life expectancy. One study found that only 7% of males aged 50-79 with localized pleural mesothelioma survived past five years from diagnosis.

Do I have a legal case if I lost a loved one due to asbestos-related disease?

You may have a case if your loved one’s diagnosis came after documented exposure to asbestos fibers in the course of their employment, such as working with asbestos companies or mining asbestos-contaminated talc.

How much does a mesothelioma attorney cost in Chicago?

Our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win.

Book a Free Consultation

Mesothelioma is a devastating disease, and litigation related to asbestos exposure can be highly complex. However, you don’t have to go through this alone. Our compassionate and highly experienced mesothelioma lawyers have a 98% success rate and work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe us nothing unless we win. We serve clients throughout Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal options.