Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyers
Trusted Legal Advocacy for Mesothelioma Victims in Chicago
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Chicago, you may be entitled to significant legal compensation.
At SWMW Law, our experienced Chicago mesothelioma lawyers help victims and their families hold asbestos companies accountable, with proven results across Illinois.
Chicago’s long industrial history means thousands of workers were unknowingly exposed to asbestos in factories, shipyards, construction sites, and other high-risk settings. Even today, new mesothelioma cases continue to emerge decades after exposure.
We bring decades of experience handling mesothelioma cases in Cook County and other high-risk areas across Illinois. Whether exposure happened on the job or at home, we know how to navigate the state’s busiest asbestos courts and fight for the outcome you deserve.
Why Chicago is a High-Risk Area for Mesothelioma
- Steel plants along the Calumet River
- Rail yards such as the 47th Street Yard and Proviso Yard
- Shipyards and dry docks on Lake Michigan
- High-rise construction and renovation projects throughout the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods
- Power plants and boiler rooms across the city and suburbs
- Public housing renovations and old municipal buildings
Tradespeople such as pipefitters, electricians, insulators, and demolition workers frequently encountered asbestos without adequate protective measures. Even today, many older buildings in Chicago still contain asbestos materials, putting renovation workers and first responders at continued risk.
The Reality of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in Chicago
Asbestos Exposure Across Chicago Communities:
- Cook County: An average of 203 asbestos-related deaths per year
- DuPage and Lake Counties: About 47 deaths each per year
- Will County: Around 33 deaths per year
- Kane County: About 22 deaths per year
- McHenry County: Around 13 deaths per year
(Source: Environmental Working Group analysis, 1999–2017)
Mesothelioma often takes 20 to 50 years to develop after exposure – meaning people are still being diagnosed today due to work done decades ago.
Why Cook County Courts Matter for Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Cook County is one of the most active jurisdictions in the United States for asbestos litigation, and the most important venue in Illinois for mesothelioma lawsuits. The Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County operates Calendar J1, a specialized docket that exclusively manages asbestos cases, making it a critical forum for victims seeking legal action.
Cook County Asbestos Filings: Yearly Totals (2020–2025)
| Calendar Year | Asbestos Lawsuits Filed |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 119 |
| 2021 | 126 |
| 2022 | 122 |
| 2023 | 165 |
| 2024 | 193 (record high) |
| 2025 (Jan – July) | 124 (YTD) |
Key Trends in Mesothelioma Case Filings
- 62% Increase in 5 Years: Cook County asbestos filings jumped from 119 in 2020 to 193 in 2024.
- Peak Month on Record: April 2024 saw 25 asbestos-related lawsuits filed – the highest monthly total in the dashboard’s six-year history.
- 2025 Off to a Fast Start: Through July 2025, the court has already recorded 124 asbestos filings, with July 2025 (24 filings) ranking as the second-highest single month overall.
- Home to High-Dollar Cases: Cook County consistently sees large-value mesothelioma settlements and verdicts due to the complex, high-exposure nature of asbestos litigation.
- Central Venue for Illinois Civil Claims: Nearly one-third of all civil lawsuits filed in Illinois originate in Cook County, including a majority of the state’s asbestos claims.
| Month | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
| February | 13 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 14 |
| March | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 22 |
| April | 11 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 18 |
| May | 7 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
| June | 8 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 17 |
| July | 11 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 24 |
| August | 5 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 12 | — |
| September | 16 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 18 | — |
| October | 10 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 10 | — |
| November | 9 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 20 | — |
| December | 9 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 17 | — |
What This Means for Mesothelioma Victims
What This Means for You
Legal Rights for Chicago Mesothelioma Victims
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit for direct exposure.
- Filing a wrongful death claim if a family member has passed away due to mesothelioma.
- Seeking compensation from asbestos trust funds.
- Accessing workers’ compensation or veterans’ benefits when applicable.
Illinois also recognizes secondary exposure claims, which are cases in which family members were exposed to asbestos brought home on work clothes. This is especially relevant for many Chicago families with ties to industrial labor.
Examples of Our Results
Steps to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Illinois
1. Free Consultation and Case Review
We begin with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to understand your situation. During this conversation, we review your medical diagnosis, work history, and any known or suspected sources of asbestos exposure.
2. Investigation and Exposure Identification
Our legal team conducts a thorough investigation using Illinois-specific databases, historical job site records, and SWMW Law’s internal exposure archive. If you worked at facilities like U.S. Steel South Works and the Pullman Company or participated in Chicago-area construction projects, we can often pinpoint where and how asbestos exposure occurred, even if those companies no longer exist.
3. Gathering Medical and Work Documentation
To support your claim, we work closely with top medical professionals and occupational experts who specialize in mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. We collect your medical records, pathology reports, employment history, and other documentation to demonstrate the link between your illness and past asbestos exposure.
4. Determining Legal Strategy
Based on your exposure history, we’ll determine whether to file a personal injury lawsuit, pursue claims through asbestos trust funds, or both. We also evaluate whether additional benefits, such as VA claims or workers’ compensation, are applicable. Our team ensures your case is filed promptly within the legal time limits, typically two years from the date of diagnosis in Illinois.
5. Negotiation or Litigation
We strive to resolve your case efficiently and effectively. In many cases, we’re able to negotiate substantial settlements without going to trial. However, if responsible parties fail to offer fair compensation, our attorneys are fully prepared to litigate your case in Illinois state or federal courts.
6. Compensation Recovery
Once your case is resolved, we move swiftly to secure your compensation, whether it comes from a settlement, jury verdict, or asbestos trust fund. This financial support can help cover medical treatments, in-home care, lost wages, and the emotional and physical toll mesothelioma takes on you and your loved ones.
Chicago Asbestos Exposure Sites
- Republic Steel
- Inland Steel Company
- Container Corporation of America
- Flintkote Company
- Interlake Iron Corp.
- Proctor & Gamble
- Sherwin Williams Company
- SunBeam Corp.
Types of Compensation Available to Chicago Residents
- Legal Settlements: Many cases are resolved through negotiated settlements that provide significant financial relief without going to trial.
- Asbestos Trust Funds: Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds for victims of companies that have declared bankruptcy.
- Trial Verdicts: In cases that proceed to court, juries may award additional damages for pain, suffering, and punitive compensation.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans exposed to asbestos during military service may qualify for VA benefits, including specialized mesothelioma treatment.
- Workers’ Compensation: In select cases, employees exposed on the job may pursue benefits under Illinois’s workers’ compensation system.
Because we are different
Decades of
Experience
Our team is comprised of dozens of highly talented and experienced attorneys ready to fight for your best outcome.
Thousands of Clients Represented
Over the course of our firm’s experience, we have helped thousands of victims and their families recover life-changing verdicts and settlements.
Nationwide
Representation
We come to you wherever you are in the United States.
Resources + Personal Attention
A senior partner of our firm will be involved in your case, utilizing a team approach with massive resources uniquely applied to your case.
Our Chicago Mesothelioma Clients Stories
Together, they raised five children and later adopted six grandchildren. Dale worked in construction, a career he loved. In 2014, he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.
The news was devastating. Gwen, who had always relied on Dale as her rock, stepped into the unfamiliar role of full-time caregiver. With no guidebook to follow, she cared for him through nearly four years of treatment – learning as she went, asking questions, and leaning on family for support. She made it her mission to give him love, comfort, and dignity in his final years.
Dale passed away in 2017, just shy of his 75th birthday. Gwen’s loss was immeasurable, but she has shared her story to help other caregivers navigate the emotional and practical challenges that come with supporting a loved one through cancer.
Our Team of Chicago Mesothelioma Attorneys
Why Choose SWMW Law for Your Chicago Mesothelioma Case
- Comprehensive Knowledge: We strengthen your case by utilizing our familiarity with local industries and exposure sites.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Chicago, contact SWMW Law for a free consultation to explore your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
