Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer

Our Illinois Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

Illinois mesothelioma lawsuits award between $1 Million and $11.4 Million on average, depending on whether your case results in an out-of-court settlement or trial verdict.

Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers have secured over $5.5 Billion total for victims of asbestos exposure, including significant results for families across Illinois.

Our past Illinois mesothelioma settlements and verdicts include:

• $5.43 Million for an Oak Forest carpenter
• $4.39 Million to a machine operator in Charleston
• $4.14 Million for a Mt. Vernon sheet metal worker
• $4 Million to an auto mechanic and union laborer in Zion
• $3.95 Million for a Wilmington gas attendant and heavy equipment operator with pleural mesothelioma
• $3.9 Million to a Cobden union bricklayer
• $3.73 Million for a Wood Dale HVAC worker with pleural mesothelioma
• $3.7 Million to a Gurnee assembly line worker
• $3.63 Million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Danvers with pleural mesothelioma
• $3.5 Million to a Mattoon factory worker with pleural mesothelioma
• $3.34 Million for a Waukegan man
• $3.32 Million to a Calumet City laborer
• $3.32 Million for a Park Ridge electrician
• $3.13 Million to a machine operator and maintenance worker
• $2.73 Million for an Illinois machine operator
• $4.17 Million to a lithographer in Effingham
• $2.31 Million for a U.S. Army veteran and carpenter in Grayslake
• $3.08 Million to a tool & die maker in Maple Park
• $2.75 Million for a client who was exposed to asbestos in Illinois
• $3.15 Million to a U.S. Army veteran in Putnam
• $3.32 Million for a Chicago pleural mesothelioma victim
• $3.7 Million to a Bolingbrook HVAC worker with pleural mesothelioma
• $4 Million for a Tuscola auto mechanic
• $3 Million to a machinist in Rockford with peritoneal mesothelioma
• $4.49 Million for a truck driver in Pontiac

In one case, our Illinois mesothelioma lawyers secured a $34.1 Million verdict for a roofer who worked at a Shell Oil refinery in Wood River and was later diagnosed with mesothelioma.

This money comes from companies that knew about the dangers of asbestos but failed to warn employees, consumers, or the public in order to protect their profits.

While there’s never a guarantee of mesothelioma compensation in any case, our Illinois mesothelioma lawyers will fight hard to secure the largest payout possible in the shortest amount of time. In fact, many of our clients start receiving compensation in as few as 90 days after contacting us.

Let Sokolove Law Fight for You

Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured more than $5.5 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.

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Illinois Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos. It can occur after a single instance of exposure or after decades of prolonged exposure. It’s not uncommon for it to take 20-50 years for signs of asbestos-related illnesses to appear.

In Illinois, thousands of job sites were known sources of asbestos exposure. Asbestos statistics in Illinois show that the cancer-causing mineral remains a serious public health threat across the state.

Illinois asbestos exposure and mesothelioma statistics include:

• From 1999 to 2017, more than 12,000 asbestos-related deaths were recorded in Illinois, with 430 linked to asbestosis, 2,333 to mesothelioma, and 9,322 to lung cancer, according to EWG.
• During this period, Cook County saw about 3,863 asbestos-related deaths, followed by DuPage County with 909, Orange County with 2,374, Lake County with 897, Will County with 641, and Madison County with 435.
• Illinois recorded 5 asbestos-related deaths per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the nationwide average of 4.9. Massac County had the state's highest asbestos-related death rate at 16.3, followed by Crawford County at 15.1, and Clinton County at 10.
• Over 40% of all mesothelioma lawsuits are filed in Madison County, which is more than any other county in the United States.
• An analysis of mesothelioma patient records at a community hospital in Berwyn found that the median age at diagnosis was 67, with a median survival time of 7 months. Approximately 94% of the patients were exposed to asbestos at work, according to JAMA Internal Medicine.

Many Illinois residents were directly exposed to asbestos while working in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and public infrastructure, where asbestos-containing materials were widely used for decades.

Illinois Asbestos Exposure Sites

There are currently over 5,500 known job sites linked to asbestos exposure throughout the state of Illinois. Common sources of asbestos exposure include shipyards, construction sites, and factories.

Commonwealth Edison, Monsanto, Shell Oil, and U.S. Steel are among the companies with the most Illinois job sites linked to asbestos exposure.

Other known asbestos sites around Illinois include:

• Acme Steel Company
• Aluminum Company of America
• Babcock & Wilcox
• Ball Brothers Glass
• Bartlow Brothers, Inc.
• Beatrice Foods Company
• Borden Chemical Company
• BorgWarner Corporation
• Celotex Corporation
• Central Illinois Public Service Company
• Dow Chemical Company
• Ferro Corporation
• General Electric Company
• Illinois Central Railroad
• Illinois Power Company
• John Deere Foundry
• Johns Manville
• Joliet Shipyard
• Kaiser Aluminum
• Memorial Hospital
• Naval Supply Depot
• O’Hare Airport
• Red River Refining Company
• Seneca Shipyards
• Stauffer Chemical Company
• Texaco Incorporated
• University of Illinois
• Witco Power Plant
• Zion Nuclear Plant

These are just a few workplaces throughout Illinois where asbestos has been found. It's important to note that this list does not reflect the current conditions of these locations. Many sites have since removed all asbestos-containing materials.

Use our free asbestos exposure job site database to see if you may have been exposed to asbestos while at work.

An asbestos attorney in Illinois can help determine if you may have been at risk of exposure at any of these sites.

Who Can Our Illinois Mesothelioma Law Firm Help?

Generally speaking, Illinois mesothelioma law firms can help anyone who was exposed to asbestos and has since been diagnosed with a related illness like this rare cancer.

Your attorney must be able to link your medical diagnosis to asbestos exposure and substantiate your exposure through employment records, witness testimony, or other evidence.

Our mesothelioma law firm in Illinois can help:

• Patients with illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis
• Family members, including spouses and children of the person diagnosed
• Representatives of the mesothelioma victim’s estate in the case of wrongful death

"Our primary role in the very beginning stages of a mesothelioma lawsuit is to be detectives. We have to find products that were around the victim during the time of their exposure to asbestos."
– Jim Sokolove, Founder (Retired 2013)

Even if you don’t remember how or when you were exposed to asbestos, our Illinois mesothelioma attorneys may still be able to help. We have the resources to prove asbestos exposure and pinpoint the companies responsible for your illness.

Illinois Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations are state laws that set strict deadlines for filing a mesothelioma personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations on mesothelioma claims is generally 2 years from the patient's diagnosis or the date of their passing.

If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to file an asbestos lawsuit and pursue compensation. Don’t wait and leave money sitting on the table.

Call (800) 647-3434 right now for help determining your eligibility to file an Illinois mesothelioma lawsuit. It costs nothing to speak with us.

Filing Illinois Mesothelioma Lawsuits: What to Expect

When families choose to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, they’ll often go through a series of structured steps designed to identify the source of asbestos exposure, gather strong evidence, and pursue compensation from the companies responsible.

The majority of mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement, which means you may never have to set foot in court to receive compensation.

Filing an Illinois mesothelioma lawsuit generally involves:

• Contacting an experienced asbestos attorney
• Gathering evidence to prove exposure
• Filing the claim in the best court for your case
• Negotiating a settlement that provides full compensation
• Fighting for you in court if necessary

When you work with Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma attorneys can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf. Find out more about how filing an Illinois mesothelioma lawsuit works.

1. Find the Best Mesothelioma Lawyer Near You

At Sokolove Law, our Illinois mesothelioma attorneys can provide you with a free legal consultation to determine if you may be eligible to file a claim.

During your consultation, we'll ask you questions about your life and work history to determine how you were exposed to asbestos.

If you have a case, we can travel to meet you at a time and location of your choosing at no cost to you.

Our team understands how difficult a mesothelioma diagnosis can be and how quickly medical bills can pile up. That’s why we work to get started on your case as quickly as possible — often within 24 hours of your initial call.

“I was shocked at how fast Sokolove Law called me. Two days later, they were meeting with me at my house. I was in a mild shock, but it was a good shock.”
– Dennis, Firm Mesothelioma Client

2. We’ll Gather Evidence to Build Your Claim

Asbestos exposure can take place 20-50 years before a mesothelioma diagnosis, which can make identifying the manufacturer of the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to difficult.

Thankfully, Sokolove Law has decades of experience working on mesothelioma cases, which has allowed us to compile a warehouse of evidence on:

• Asbestos-containing products
• Known sites of asbestos exposure
• The companies that may have put you in harm's way

We can use our experience and databases of evidence to identify the manufacturers responsible for your exposure and build a strong legal case on your behalf.

3. File Illinois Mesothelioma Claims

By working with an experienced legal team, you can get help filing your Illinois mesothelioma claim and ensuring that all deadlines are met and the paperwork for your case is properly submitted.

Patients and their families may qualify for compensation from different types of Illinois mesothelioma claims, including asbestos lawsuits against manufacturers, claims with trust funds created by bankrupt companies, and VA benefit claims.

When you work with Sokolove Law, we will pursue compensation through all of the avenues available to you in order to maximize the amount of money you may receive.

4. Negotiate Mesothelioma Settlements

Your Illinois asbestos attorney will work to negotiate a mesothelioma settlement with the asbestos-related companies responsible for your exposure. The average settlement for this cancer is over $1 Million.

Asbestos cases can involve over 70 defendants, and you may qualify for compensation from each one.

The majority of mesothelioma cases end in settlements, providing families with quicker access to much-needed financial support.

"Our clients could receive compensation in as few as 6 weeks. The more likelihood is 2 or 3 months, and then you'll probably continue receiving various compensation for another year."
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney of Sokolove Law

5. Illinois Mesothelioma Trial Attorneys Fight for You

If a company doesn’t settle, the case may continue to court, where both sides will present their arguments before a judge and jury. The jury will then deliver a verdict on whether the company’s asbestos-containing products played a role in your illness and determine the amount of compensation to be awarded.

Past Illinois mesothelioma verdicts include:

• $45 Million to a grandmother who was exposed to asbestos in Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder
• $24.4 Million for a Chicago-area janitor with pleural mesothelioma
• $7.43 Million to an Illinois brick mason with mesothelioma
• $30 Million for the family of a Cook County man who passed away from peritoneal mesothelioma
• $40.75 Million to a U.S. Army veteran and engineer

Our Illinois mesothelioma trial attorneys are committed to preparing strong, evidence-backed cases that are designed to stand up in court and help families secure the compensation they deserve.

Our Mesothelioma Lawyers in Illinois Maximize Your Payouts

At Sokolove Law, our team has helped over 9,300 asbestos exposure victims nationwide, securing more than $5.5 Billion total. We know how to fight for the most compensation possible on behalf of our clients.

Our mesothelioma lawyers in Illinois can help clients prove asbestos exposure and pursue compensation through every available legal avenue.

Sources of compensation include:

• Mesothelioma lawsuits
• Asbestos trust funds
• Veterans benefits

Not every firm has the ability to pursue compensation from all of these sources. By thoroughly investigating your asbestos exposure and building a strong case, we work to maximize your total payout.

Illinois Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma lawsuits award between $1 Million and $11.4 Million on average, depending on whether your case settles or goes to court. These claims are filed against the companies that made, sold, or used the asbestos-containing materials that made you sick.

By working with our Illinois mesothelioma lawyers, you can get help:

• Identifying the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to
• Holding the companies that made or sold those products accountable for your illness
• Pursuing significant compensation that can help cover treatments and provide financial stability

Over 99% of mesothelioma lawsuits result in settlements, which means many of our clients never have to step foot in court in order to receive compensation.

Our Illinois mesothelioma attorneys can also help families file an asbestos claim after the death of their loved one.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Many asbestos-related companies declared bankruptcy to avoid the lawsuits filed against them. However, the courts ordered these companies to create asbestos trust funds to pay current and future mesothelioma victims.

Asbestos trust fund claims don't require you to go to court. You may be able to access compensation from multiple trust funds without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Mesothelioma VA Benefits for Veterans

If you or your loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure during military service, you may be able to file a claim for VA benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mesothelioma has a 100% disability rating, which means veterans with this cancer may be eligible for over $3,930 a month in compensation and free health care.

Our VA-accredited lawyers can help you prepare your claim, even if you have been denied VA benefits in the past. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit won't impact your VA claim.

Illinois Mesothelioma Lawsuit News 2026

Mesothelioma lawsuits continue to move forward in Illinois as victims seek justice for asbestos exposure. Courts have held companies accountable for exposing workers, veterans, and consumers to dangerous asbestos fibers.

These cases have resulted in significant verdicts and settlements, helping families recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and more. Staying informed about Illinois mesothelioma lawsuit news can help those affected better understand their legal rights.

The latest Illinois asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuit updates include:

• January 2026: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a settlement with Kroger and contractor SSI Services over unsafe handling of asbestos-containing floor tiles during a renovation at the Taylorville Kroger store.
• June 2025: At a public meeting, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined proposed remediation efforts within the Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, which is part of a Superfund site tied to the former Johns Manville plant in Waukegan.
• April 2025: Illinois remains a hotspot for asbestos litigation, with new reports revealing that over 40% of all U.S. mesothelioma lawsuits are filed in Madison County.
• October 2024: A Cook County Circuit Court judge rejected Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to overturn a $45 Million talc-related mesothelioma verdict, leaving the jury’s award intact.
• July 2024: Illinois mesothelioma attorneys secured $24.4 Million for a former Avon^® employee who was exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc at work.
• March 2024: A Chicago jury awarded $7.43 Million to a 76-year-old retired brick mason who was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to on-the-job exposure.
• December 2023: Bridgestone Firestone was ordered to pay $30 Million to the family of a mesothelioma victim who passed away from secondhand exposure.
• August 2023: A Cook County jury awarded $40.75 Million to the family of a U.S. Army veteran and engineer who passed away from mesothelioma.

These developments show that asbestos exposure remains a serious public health and legal issue across Illinois. From major jury verdicts to enforcement actions, courts and regulatory agencies continue to hold companies accountable.

$45 Million Illinois Mesothelioma Trial Verdict Upheld

In April 2024, Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue Inc. were ordered to pay $45 Million to the family of Theresa Garcia, who passed away from mesothelioma after using the company’s asbestos-contaminated talc products.

“Johnson & Johnson deceived its customers for years rather than owning up to its negligence. It's truly shameless.”
– Illinois Mesothelioma Trial Attorney

Shortly after, J&J requested a new trial. However, a Circuit Court in Cook County denied the request, allowing the jury’s verdict to stand and preserving the family’s long-awaited recovery.

$24.4 Million Illinois Mesothelioma Lawsuit Verdict Against Avon

A jury awarded a $24.4 Million Illinois mesothelioma lawsuit verdict to Cipriano Ramirez and his family. The verdict came after jurors found that asbestos-contaminated talc at an Avon facility caused Ramirez to develop pleural mesothelioma.

“Mr. Ramirez dedicated his life to working hard for his family. He should be enjoying retirement but has been forced to spend his time fighting a cancer that could have been prevented.”
– Illinois Asbestos Lawyer

During the 1980s, Ramirez worked as a janitor at an Avon facility in Morton Grove. Evidence presented at trial showed Avon knew their talc was contaminated with asbestos, but Ramirez was never warned about this risk.

$7.43 Million Mesothelioma Verdict in Illinois

A Chicago jury awarded $7.43 Million to Alonzo Cain, a 76-year-old U.S. Army veteran and brick mason with pleural mesothelioma.

Cain spent decades working at Inland Steel, where he was exposed to asbestos-containing products made by Foseco, Inc. His lawsuit also named a company that installed and removed asbestos-containing pipe insulation near his job, which may have contributed to his exposure.

After a 2-week trial, it took the jury just 6 hours of deliberation to reach a mesothelioma verdict in favor of Cain. They found both companies partially responsible for his illness.

$30 Million Illinois Asbestos Verdict

The family of 64-year-old Thomas Jackson was awarded a $30 Million Illinois asbestos verdict after he passed away from peritoneal mesothelioma.

Jackson was exposed to asbestos secondhand through his father, who worked as a manager at a Bridgestone Firestone plant and unknowingly brought microscopic fibers home on his clothes.

Jurors deliberated for less than 2 hours before ordering the company to pay $30 Million to Jackson’s family, which included ​​$5.25 Million in economic losses, $11.14 Million in wrongful death damages, and $13.6 Million in survivor damages.

$40.75 Million Mesothelioma Verdict in Cook County

A Chicago jury ordered ​​John Crane, Inc. to pay $40.75 Million to the family of Bruce Torgerson, a retired engineer and U.S. Army veteran.

Before he passed away, Torgerson testified that, throughout much of his career, he was exposed to asbestos-containing packing and gaskets made by John Crane.

The Cook County mesothelioma verdict included $30 Million for Mr. Torgerson's pain and suffering, and over $10 Million in damages for his wife and children.

For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, these updates highlight that justice and compensation are possible with experienced legal representation. Our Illinois mesothelioma lawyers are ready to fight hard for everything you deserve.

See If We Can Help Your Family Too

Since 1979, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.5 Billion for thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families.

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Types of Illinois Asbestos Lawyers

Illinois asbestos lawyers handle a wide range of cases involving asbestos exposure and related illnesses. Depending on your diagnosis and how you were exposed, different types of asbestos attorneys in Illinois may be able to pursue compensation and accountability on your behalf.

Our Illinois asbestos lawyers can help with cases involving mesothelioma, lung cancer, secondary asbestos exposure, talcum powder, and more.

Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Our Illinois mesothelioma lawyers can investigate your work history and other potential exposure sources to identify the companies responsible.

Over 100 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed throughout Illinois each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our team can pursue compensation from multiple sources, including lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits to help cover medical expenses, lost income, and other costs.

Illinois Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawyers

If a patient passes away before filing a claim or before their case is resolved, their surviving family members or estate representative may still have the right to pursue compensation with the help of our Illinois mesothelioma wrongful death lawyers.

More than 12,000 Illinois residents have passed away from asbestos-related diseases, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Wrongful death claims can help families recover compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of income or companionship, and more.

Illinois Lung Cancer Lawyers

Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer, especially in workers exposed over long periods. Thousands of job sites across the state caused many workers to come in contact with toxic fibers.

Illinois sees an estimated 9,000 new lung cancer cases each year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Our Illinois lung cancer lawyers help victims determine whether exposure contributed to their diagnosis and pursue compensation from those responsible.

Illinois Talcum Powder Lawyers

Many talcum powder products have been found to contain microscopic asbestos fibers, which can increase the risk of mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and other serious illnesses.

Our Illinois talcum powder lawyers can help individuals who used contaminated talc products file lawsuits against manufacturers that failed to warn consumers about asbestos risks.

Illinois Secondary Asbestos Exposure Lawyers

Secondary asbestos exposure can occur when workers unknowingly bring asbestos fibers home on their clothing or tools, exposing family members.

Our Illinois secondary asbestos exposure lawyers can help spouses, children, and other family members pursue compensation if they developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness due to secondhand exposure.

Asbestos Laws in Illinois

Illinois has strict laws governing the handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos to protect workers and the public. However, there is no legislation regarding legacy asbestos, so the carcinogen may still exist in older buildings.

Find out about asbestos laws in Illinois:

• Illinois Administrative Code – Asbestos Abatement (Title 77, §§ 855.100 & 855.220): Mandates notification to the Illinois Department of Public Health at least 2 working days before abatement work. Work must follow federal OSHA and NESHAP standards, and clearance air quality criteria must be met before reoccupying abated areas.
• Illinois Asbestos Abatement Act & Commercial/Public Building Asbestos Abatement Act (225 ILCS 207): Requires licensing for contractors, supervisors, inspectors, project designers, and workers handling asbestos. Sets standards for the removal, encapsulation, or enclosure of asbestos-containing materials in commercial and public buildings.
• Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/9): Prohibits emissions of asbestos fibers that cause or contribute to air pollution, including unconfined use or spray application of loose asbestos.
• Illinois School Asbestos Laws (105 ILCS 105): Implements federal AHERA requirements for school inspections, management plans, and licensed abatement work. The state maintains a School Asbestos Abatement Fund to support compliance and program oversight.

Local boards of health may use their authority or bylaws to require correction of conditions that could affect public health or safety, including asbestos-related hazards.

Sokolove Law: Top Mesothelioma Attorneys in Illinois Since 1979

At Sokolove Law, we understand how truly devastating a diagnosis of mesothelioma can be. Let us put our resources to work for you in your fight for justice.

Over the past 45 years, we've secured more than $5.5 Billion total for families across the country, including in Illinois.

Additionally, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our mesothelioma attorneys in Illinois — we only get paid if you do, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.

Call us at (800) 647-3434 right now or fill out our contact form for a free case review. Our team is standing by 24/7 to help with any questions you may have.

Mesothelioma Attorney in Illinois FAQs