Illinois Office

The rate of asbestos litigation involving mesothelioma- and asbestos-related deaths in Illinois is the seventh-highest in the country. Between the years of 1999 to 2015, 2,003 Illinois residents have passed away as a result of exposure to asbestos. The Illinois counties of Lake, La Salle, and McClean are among the top 50 in the country for mesothelioma-related deaths.

Construction and factory sites in Illinois were a common location for asbestos exposure in recent history. Unfortunately, as a result, a number of workers in Illinois were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney.

People in Illinois might not have to contend with many naturally-occurring asbestos locations, but the material served a vital role in a number of industries located throughout the state, including:

• Manufacturing. Asbestos is capable of resisting both heat and fire, which resulted in the material playing a vital role in a number of manufacturing positions. A number of manufacturing companies have since been determined to have used asbestos.
• Military. Unfortunately, despite the great contribution made to our country by veterans, mesothelioma affects a number of veterans due to the material’s widespread use in the military. Various military locations throughout Illinois, including the Rock Island Arsenal, have been determined to have used asbestos.
• Oil refineries. For many years, a number of companies involved in the oil refinery industry relied on asbestos due to its durable nature and ability to resist heat as well as fire.
• Power plants. A countless number of power plants used asbestos in machinery, which placed plant works at great risk of later being diagnosed with mesothelioma or other deadly conditions.
• Steel mills. Many companies in the steel industry relied on asbestos insulation to protect equipment, as well as workers, from substantial heat and fire. Many of these companies were able to keep machinery safe with asbestos, which resulted in the lives of steelworkers being endangered.

Various state and federal regulations in Illinois dictate the use of asbestos. Additionally, some of the state’s larger counties have additional regulations concerning the use of asbestos.

One state regulation is that only licensed individuals in Illinois are able to perform asbestos removal in both commercial and public locations. This regulation also applies to residential locations that contain more than four units.

Some of the organizations in Illinois that are tasked with enforcing asbestos regulations include the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

In many cases, the effects of asbestos exposure are not visible until years or decades after the exposure occurred. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact the Throneberry Law Group today to schedule a free initial case evaluation.