File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Illinois

During its peak era of popularity, which spanned from the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos could be found in almost every building, whether private, commercial, military, or government. Its widespread use has led to a broad spectrum of risks that affect every community in Illinois. 

However, some communities face a particularly high risk, especially those near former asbestos companies or their waste disposal sites. Illinois is home to multiple asbestos-linked EPA Superfund cleanup sites, such as the Johns-Manville Corp. Superfund site in Waukegan, which covers 350 acres. 

Cities in Illinois heavily impacted by asbestos: 

• Chicago
• Bloomington
• East St. Louis
• Waukegan
• La Salle

When asbestos is disturbed or interacted with, it sheds dangerous microscopic particles that can remain suspended in the air of poorly ventilated areas for hours. Many asbestos industry employees worked in hazardous conditions like these, without protective gear, at constant risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos.

Although Illinois’s strong union culture ensured that protective measures were implemented much earlier than in other states, with pushback from workers beginning in the 1930s, it still wasn’t enough. Many Illinois workers are now sick from dangerous asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma.

High-risk occupations:

• Boiler technicians
• Chemical plant workers
• Construction workers
• Factory workers
• HVAC installers
• Machine operators
• Millwrights
• Oil Refinery workers
• Power Plant workers
• Steel workers
• U.S. military veterans

Asbestos was added to hundreds of thousands of products to increase their durability, make them non-conductive, and enhance their resistance to heat, fire, and chemical corrosion. Until the 1980s, when federal regulations forced manufacturers and construction companies to phase out the use of asbestos, many structures and vehicles included asbestos components.

The dangers of these legacy asbestos products remain today. As recently as August, 2025, the city of Chicago and the Attorney General of Illinois filed suit against a construction company over the improper handling of asbestos construction materials during a renovation. 

If you remember working with asbestos products, but don’t remember the brand or company, don’t worry. The legal team at Meirowitz & Wasserberg uses specialized tools, such as databases and product binders, to help clients identify asbestos-containing products they worked with, thereby enabling them to build a strong compensation case. 

Common asbestos-containing products in Florida:

• Automobile/industrial brakes
• Boilers
• Engines (gaskets and seals)
• Ceiling panels
• Cement pipes and panels
• Insulation
• Fireproofing sprays
• Floor tiles
• Roofing shingles
• Textiles (fireproof clothing, blankets, pads, and mats)
• Textured wall coatings

Illinois workers and their loved ones have a long history of fighting back against negligent asbestos manufacturers. We can help you join that fight by securing compensation to pay for medical treatment, living expenses, and to establish future security for yourself and your family. 

Getting started is easy. All you have to do is reach out to us to access a free case evaluation that will help you find out if you qualify for compensation and how much your case could be worth. We can also put you in touch with expert asbestos attorneys who specialize in helping individuals affected by mesothelioma obtain the maximum compensation they are due.

Our expert patient advocates have helped clients secure over $1.5 billion in total compensation. We want to help you, too, but you have to take the first step. Reach out to us today and get started in minutes.