01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Illinois
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Illinois
Illinois has long been home to many factories, plants and heavy industries that used asbestos. As a result, workers and residents throughout the state have faced asbestos exposure and serious health problems, including mesothelioma. From 1999 to 2017, Illinois ranked sixth in the country for the most mesothelioma cases.
Because of the high mesothelioma incidence, Illinois also experiences a high number of asbestos-related claims.
According to a 2020 report, Madison County, Illinois, saw more mesothelioma lawsuits filed in 2020 than anywhere else in the country. There were 1,168 asbestos claims filed in Madison County in 2020, with 879 related to mesothelioma. Two other counties in Illinois, St. Clair County and Cook County, also ranked in the top 15 jurisdictions for 2020 with the most asbestos claims.
Many affected workers in Illinois have successfully pursued compensation. This has resulted in millions of dollars being paid to asbestos victims throughout the state. Individuals who have been negatively affected by asbestos exposure might be entitled to compensation. Mesothelioma law firms in Illinois can help patients understand their options when it comes to filing a claim and pursuing fair compensation for their suffering.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Illinois?
Individuals who have worked or lived in Illinois and have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease may be eligible to file a claim in the state. Those who have lost a family member to an asbestos-related illness may also be eligible.
Non-residents may also be eligible to file an asbestos claim in the state. This may be due to work history, the location of the responsible asbestos company and other factors.
Workers in many industries have risked asbestos exposure in Illinois. For instance, manufacturing workers are among those at risk for developing mesothelioma. In particular, several workers at A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, a corn starch manufacturing plant, were exposed to asbestos. This occurred as a result of ineffective asbestos monitoring procedures. After screening the workers at the plant and looking at medical files, investigators found some employees had pleural plaques and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Other prominent industries in Illinois also used asbestos. Workers in industries such as oil refining, agriculture and construction may have been exposed to asbestos.
Illinois residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Albion, IL
- Alton, IL
- Antioch, IL
- Arlington Heights, IL
- Aurora, IL
- Bartonville, IL
- Batavia, IL
- Bloomingdale, IL
- Bloomington, IL
- Bolingbrook, IL
- Bourbonnais, IL
- Buffalo Grove, IL
- Burbank, IL
- Champaign, IL
- Chicago, IL
- Country Club Hills, IL
- Cullom, IL
- Dallas City, IL
- Decatur, IL
- Des Plaines, IL
- E. Moline, IL
- East Peoria, IL
- East Saint Louis, IL
- Elgin, IL
- Elmwood Park, IL
- Evanston, IL
- Genoa, IL
- German Valley, IL
- Granite City, IL
- Great Lakes, IL
- Hanna City, IL
- Hawthorn Woods, IL
- Highwood, IL
- Hillsdale, IL
- Homer Glen, IL
- Huntley, IL
- Johnsburg, IL
- Joliet, IL
- Keyesport, IL
- Lake Villa, IL
- Libertyville, IL
- Lombard, IL
- Loves Park, IL
- Lyons, IL
- Manteno, IL
- Mattoon, IL
- Morton, IL
- Murphysboro, IL
- Murrayville, IL
- Naperville, IL
- New Lenox, IL
- Norridge, IL
- Oak Lawn, IL
- O’Fallon, IL
- Oglesby, IL
- Orland Park, IL
- Ottawa, IL
- Park Ridge, IL
- Peoria, IL
- Plainfield, IL
- Rockford, IL
- Salem, IL
- Sauget, IL
- Sherman, IL
- South Holland, IL
- Sparland, IL
- Stockton, IL
- Sugar Grove, IL
- Troy, IL
- Villa Park, IL
- Wadsworth, IL
- Washington, IL
- Waukegan, IL
- West Dundee, IL
- Wheaton, IL
- Woodridge, IL
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Illinois
To file a claim in the state, individuals can contact a mesothelioma lawyer in Illinois for help. An experienced lawyer can explain an individual’s claim options and gather needed documentation. For instance, filing a claim requires documentation and evidence of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Evidence to file a claim includes:
- Medical records proving the diagnosis
- Work records that include the company named in the claim
- Financial records proving medical expenses and any other hardships resulting from the asbestos exposure
It’s also important that claims are filed in a timely manner. Each state has its own filing deadlines, or statutes of limitations. These deadlines apply to personal injury and wrongful death claims related to asbestos exposure.
Claimants who miss this deadline might still be eligible for compensation through other claims. For instance, some may be eligible to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund.
Mesothelioma lawyers in Illinois can explain all of an individual’s claim options and help throughout the filing process.
02. Illinois Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Illinois
Patients seeking compensation can find mesothelioma attorneys in Illinois to help determine their best course of action. There are several experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Illinois working for national firms, as well as firms that are located in the state.
National law firms handle lawsuits on behalf of clients across the U.S. These firms feature mesothelioma lawyers who are dedicated to helping victims and their families with compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and their pain and suffering.
The following law firms can help people living in Illinois file their claims:
These law firms have extensive experience litigating mesothelioma cases against large asbestos companies and holding these companies responsible for their gross negligence. They understand the legal nuances involved in filing claims in different states and are skilled in knowing the best state in which to file your claim so that you receive the best possible outcome.
Illinois, for example, is one of the most advantageous jurisdictions for filing mesothelioma lawsuits and where a large percentage of cases are still being filed today according to a recent industry report.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Illinois Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Illinois
Throughout Illinois, many mesothelioma patients and others impacted by an asbestos illness have received compensation. Compensation may be awarded to help cover medical bills and lost income, as well as for pain and suffering of the victim and their families.
We have listed below a few of the verdicts and settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure in Illinois:
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdicts in Illinois
Mesothelioma lawsuits may result in compensation from a settlement or verdict. In 2011, a jury awarded $90 million to Charles Gillenwater. He worked as a pipefitter and was exposed to asbestos on the job. Gillenwater worked with asbestos products manufactured by companies such as Honeywell, John Crane and Owens-Illinois. He was later diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Illinois mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Illinois
Illinois Asbestos Laws & Regulations
In Illinois, asbestos use and abatement are strictly regulated by state code and federal laws. This ensures the safety of workers, as well as inhabitants of buildings, when materials containing asbestos are disturbed and pose a potential health risk. In addition to state law, the City of Chicago and Cook County have their own regulations in place, providing further guidelines for workers who risk exposure to asbestos.
Illinois Administrative Code Title 77, Chapter 855 outlines regulations surrounding asbestos removal throughout the state. This law relates to abatement when it occurs in public or private schools or commercial and public buildings, including multifamily residential properties with more than four units. In these buildings, asbestos abatement must be carried out by licensed professionals with asbestos training.
Several state departments are responsible for overseeing and enforcing asbestos regulations throughout Illinois, including:
- Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
- Illinois Department of Public Health Asbestos Program
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos Unit
While not directly related to asbestos, there are several other laws in Illinois that affect asbestos claims. For instance, part of the state code outlines negligence laws that affect defendants in asbestos personal injury and wrongful death claims.
In addition to the aforementioned asbestos laws, Illinois has established specific procedures to manage asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits.
- Fast-track filing: Patients with mesothelioma are able to fast-track their claims. This allows them to reach trial in six months.
- Compensation setoffs: Mesothelioma defendants may be entitled to a setoff. These reduce the damages when a claimant has already received compensation from a company’s asbestos trust fund.
- Comparative fault: Defendants’ combined liability in mesothelioma lawsuits that occur in Illinois must be a minimum of 51% or damages are not awarded to the plaintiff.
A mesothelioma attorney can help claimants understand these laws and how they may impact their claim.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
