Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that most commonly impacts the linings around the lungs and stomach. Mesothelioma can almost always be attributed to asbestos exposure. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your pain and suffering, treatment costs, and other losses, but time is limited. Contact our experienced Illinois mesothelioma lawyers at The Gori Law Firm now to schedule a free consultation.
Working with Mesothelioma Victims Across Illinois
We are national leaders in asbestos litigation. Our team has helped thousands of people exercise their rights and recover substantial compensation from the companies that wrongfully exposed them to asbestos.
We understand the devastating personal cost of a mesothelioma diagnosis, and we are passionate about getting you the highest available compensation in the fastest possible time. No matter where you are in the state, we will come to you so you will never have to sacrifice time for treatment and family to pursue your mesothelioma claim.
When you hire our knowledgeable Illinois mesothelioma lawyers, you will get your own dedicated team of experienced attorneys, paralegals, and professionals who focus exclusively on mesothelioma cases. Your team will always include a partner in our law firm to ensure you have the highest level of representation.
Our Illinois Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts
Our approach to asbestos litigation is effective. Since our establishment in 2008, we have recovered more than $4 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including numerous verdicts in the millions. Below are just a few examples of our successful case results:
See What Our Clients Say
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Illinois
To receive compensation through an asbestos lawsuit, you must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant caused your exposure to asbestos, and thereby, your illness. If you do, you may be eligible to recover significant damages through an asbestos lawsuit, including:
- Economic damages – Compensation for monetary losses such as current and future medical bills, lost wages, domestic services, and other costs associated with your condition
- Non-economic damages – Compensation for pain and suffering, such as mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium
- Wrongful Death Damages – Compensation for the loss of a loved one, such as funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of your loved one’s income, loss of inheritance, and loss of companionship
- Punitive damages – Damages available in limited cases when you can prove the defendant’s conduct was especially outrageous, which may apply if the companies that exposed you to asbestos were part of the decades-long coverup
While mesothelioma is a well-known consequence of asbestos exposure, it is not the only condition people exposed to asbestos develop. Asbestos exposure may also lead to asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis, the scarring of the lungs. Asbestos product manufacturers can also be held liable if you develop these illnesses as a result of exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos lawsuits do not always go to trial. Many asbestos product manufacturers offer large settlements after they see that our evidence is strong enough to defeat them in court.
Asbestos Trust Funds
The public became aware of the truth about asbestos in the late 1970s. By this time, millions of people had developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. As a result, asbestos product manufacturers faced so many lawsuits that many were driven to bankruptcy.
It can be difficult to recover compensation from a company that has filed for bankruptcy. However, many bankrupt companies with asbestos liabilities established asbestos bankruptcy trusts for the benefit of asbestos exposure victims. Approximately $30 billion is still available in the asbestos trust funds.
If any of the companies that exposed you to asbestos established asbestos trust funds, you may be eligible to file a claim directly against the respective trust funds. You can claim economic and non-economic damages from the trust funds. We can identify the trust funds that owe you compensation and file your claims for you.
VA Claims
If you are a military veteran with a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be eligible for VA benefits, including VA Disability Compensation and free medical treatment. Disability compensation provides tax-free monthly payments currently set at a maximum of $3,737.85 for single veterans with no dependents. Higher amounts are available for veterans with spouses and/or children. These amounts are adjusted annually to account for inflation.
Filing for VA benefits can be a difficult, confusing process, but our caring and skilled Illinois mesothelioma attorneys can help you file your claim and deal with the VA. If your claim has been denied, we can help you appeal. Mesothelioma requires urgent treatment, and we can help you avoid delays from unwarranted denials.
Deadline to Take Legal Action
Like most states, Illinois has strict deadlines on when personal injury cases must be filed. If you miss the governing deadline in your case, known as the statute of limitations, you can lose your right to sue for the compensation you deserve. In Illinois, you generally have up to two years after your diagnosis to file a lawsuit. However, depending on the factors in your case, the statute of limitations may not be so cut and dry.
Remember, your claim could be seriously jeopardized if you miss the correct filing deadline. Contact one of our trusted mesothelioma lawyers in Illinois as soon as possible after you receive your diagnosis. We will ensure your claim is filed on time.
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in Illinois
Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses cost hundreds of victims throughout the state their lives every year. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported the following mesothelioma statistics in 2020:
- 117 new cases of mesothelioma in Illinois
- 2,681 new mesothelioma cases in the United States
- 100 mesothelioma deaths in Illinois
- 2,376 mesothelioma deaths in the United States
The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which is cancer of the mesothelial lining surrounding the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 80 percent of all mesothelioma cases. The next most common type is peritoneal mesothelioma, which is cancer of the lining around the stomach.
Mesothelioma is not the only complication of asbestos exposure. According to the CDC, 8,539 cases of lung cancer were reported in Illinois in 2020, and 5,510 died. Approximately four percent of lung cancer cases can be attributed to asbestos. Based on this, 342 new cases of lung cancer and 220 lung cancer deaths in Illinois in 2020 may be attributable to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Sites in Illinois
If you are a current or former Illinois worker with a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may have been exposed to asbestos at work. The industries with the highest asbestos exposure in Illinois include construction, manufacturing, power plants, and oil refineries.
Meet Our Award-Winning Mesothelioma Attorneys in Illinois
Our nationally recognized Illinois mesothelioma attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience in asbestos litigation.
Giving Back to Our Community in Illinois
We are driven by our compassion for people. This is what motivates us to go above and beyond to recover maximized compensation for our clients. It also compels us to reach beyond the confines of our cases by supporting worthy causes that focus on finding a cure for mesothelioma and improving the lives of all people throughout Illinois.
The most well-known mesothelioma research organizations we support include the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
Community organizations we support include animal rescues, child welfare organizations, laborer organizations, pediatric cancer research, and many more. Below are just a few examples of the many non-profit organizations we support in Illinois:
- Fueling the vaccine - We provided free refreshments to health care workers in vaccination clinics during COVID-19.
- Dirt2Turf - We sponsored a program to update the athletic fields at Roxana High School to improve the experiences of student athletes.
- Annual Oktoberfest Celebration - We host a lively Oktoberfest celebration in Edwardsville every year to raise funds for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
- The Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation - A program that provides free legal services to low-income and elderly populations throughout Illinois
- Anderson Hospital foundation
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois
- Ronald McDonald House
- Special Olympics
We have donated over $3,500,000 to local charities and nonprofit organizations. When you choose The Gori Law Firm, you choose a law firm that cares.
Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer FAQs
What Is an Asbestos Exposure or Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal claim against a company that is responsible for exposing you to asbestos. It is a means to seek financial damages for the impact your mesothelioma diagnosis has on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. You can also file an asbestos exposure lawsuit if you were diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis.
Who Can File a Mesothelioma Legal Claim?
You may be eligible to file a mesothelioma claim if you were exposed to asbestos and any of the following applies to you:
- You have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
- You are the close family member of someone who died due to an asbestos-related illness.
- You represent the estate of someone who died due to an asbestos-related illness.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis, you have almost certainly been exposed to asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and suspect asbestos exposure is the cause, we can help you investigate and prove this.
How Long Do I Have To File a Mesothelioma Claim in Illinois?
In most cases, you have up to two years after your diagnosis to file a claim. However, this timeline can vary, so it is important to contact a knowledgeable Illinois mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after you receive your diagnosis to ensure your claim is filed on time.
How Much Does an Illinois Mesothelioma Attorney Cost?
We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We cover all expenses to get your case started, so you have no upfront costs. This means you have nothing to lose by hiring our devoted Illinois mesothelioma attorneys to handle your claim.
Will I Have To Travel To File a Mesothelioma Claim?
You will not have to travel to file your claim. Our caring and skilled mesothelioma lawyers will meet with you at your home, a treatment facility, or any other convenient location. If it becomes necessary to go to trial, you may be required to testify in court, but we can work around this if your state of health makes this too burdensome.
Visit One of Our Illinois Mesothelioma Law Offices
We pride ourselves on helping victims of asbestos exposure win big against the asbestos product manufacturers that exposed them to asbestos without their knowledge or consent. We have the experience and resources needed to stand up against asbestos product manufacturers and win.
Contact us today at our nearest Illinois mesothelioma law office to schedule a free consultation. We have four offices conveniently located throughout the state.
