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 busiest asbestos litigation venues in the United States and a central forum for mesothelioma lawsuits in Illinois. 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.
The volume moving through that docket has surged. Court records show asbestos filings in Cook County more than doubled between 2020 and 2025, and 2026 is on pace to set another record.
259
Asbestos lawsuits filed in 2025, the busiest year on record in Cook County and a 35% jump over 2024
191
Filed January through July 2026, up 54% from the same period in 2025 and already more than any full year from 2020 to 2023
35
Filings in June 2026, the highest single month recorded since the Clerk’s dashboard data begins in 2020
Cook County Asbestos Filings: Yearly Totals (2020 to 2026)
Cook County Asbestos Filings by Year (2020 to 2026)
| Calendar Year | Asbestos Lawsuits Filed |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 119 |
| 2021 | 126 |
| 2022 | 122 |
| 2023 | 165 |
| 2024 | 192 |
| 2025 | 259 (record high) |
| 2026 (Jan – Jul) | 191 (Jan to Jul, year to date) |
Key Trends in Asbestos and Mesothelioma Case Filings
- Filings Have More Than Doubled in Five Years: Cook County asbestos filings climbed from 119 in 2020 to 259 in 2025, an increase of 118%. Growth accelerated sharply after 2022, with each of the last three years setting a new high.
- 2025 Was a Record Year: The court recorded 259 asbestos filings in 2025, up 35% from 192 in 2024. Four months that year (August 31, September 30, October 25, and November 29) matched or exceeded the busiest single month of the entire 2020 to 2024 period.
- 2026 Is Running Even Faster: Through July 2026, Cook County had already logged 191 asbestos filings, a 54% increase over the 124 filed during the same seven months of 2025. That seven-month total surpasses the full-year totals for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- New Peak Month on Record: June 2026 (35 filings) is now the highest monthly total in the dashboard’s history, followed by April 2026 (33). Even the slowest month of 2026 so far, February at 22, would have ranked as the second-busiest month of any year from 2020 through 2024.
- One of the Nation’s Busiest Asbestos Dockets: Industry litigation tracking by KCIC ranked Cook County the fifth-largest asbestos jurisdiction in the United States in 2025, behind only Madison County and St. Clair County in Illinois, New York City, and Philadelphia. Cook County, Madison County, and St. Clair County together make Illinois the center of asbestos litigation nationally.
- 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.
Cook County Asbestos Filings by Month (2020 to 2026)
Monthly Filings: 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026
| Month | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 29 |
| February | 13 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 22 |
| March | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 23 |
| April | 11 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 18 | 33 |
| May | 7 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 24 |
| June | 8 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 35 |
| July | 11 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 25 |
| August | 5 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 31 | — |
| September | 16 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 18 | 30 | — |
| October | 10 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 10 | 25 | — |
| November | 9 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 19 | 29 | — |
| December | 9 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 20 | — |
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
-
Trial Verdict
$12.2 Million
Machine Operator with Mesothelioma
Virginia
SWMW Law's expertise in asbestos litigation delivered a $12.2 million verdict for the family of a Navy veteran and machine operator diagnosed with mesothelioma. The firm's successful wrongful death claim secured compensatory and punitive damages, sending a clear message that corporate negligence carries real consequences.
-
Trial Verdict
$9.7 Million
Take Home Exposure with Mesothelioma
Wisconsin
A Wisconsin mother never worked with asbestos – but childhood exposure to fibers on her stepfather's clothing cost her life. SWMW Law fought for six years to hold the responsible companies accountable, ultimately winning a $9.7 million verdict that honored her final wish: ensuring her son's future would be secure.
-
Settlement
$8.3 Million
Pipefitter with Mesothelioma
Missouri
SWMW Law's ability to uncover the full history of a client's asbestos exposure is what sets the firm apart. For a Missouri man, that meant tracing liability across two generations of pipefitting — from secondary exposure as a child to occupational exposure as an adult — and recovering more than $8.3 million in settlements.
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.
