Why Choose Our Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyers
Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma. If you’ve been diagnosed after working with asbestos or spending time in a contaminated space, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers will identify the cause of your cancer, pinpoint the at-fault parties and pursue the settlement you deserve.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has handled 300+ mesothelioma cases and is among the top 10 most active asbestos firms in the country. We’ve recovered $500M+ for our clients. We have a physical office in Chicago, we’re licensed to practice in Illinois courts and we treat every client like our only one.
We’ve won cases other firms declined. When a sugar mill mechanic couldn’t find representation, we took his case and won more than $4 million. When a school custodian was turned away, we fought for him and won more than $2.3 million.
Notable Mesothelioma Verdicts
| Amount | Case Context |
|---|---|
| $32M+ | Secondhand asbestos exposure |
| $18M | Mesothelioma from talcum powder exposure |
| $5.5M | Navy boiler tender and power company employee |
| $5.4M | Journeyman pipefitter, refinery exposure |
| $5.1M+ | Navy machinist’s mate turned civilian mechanic |
| $4M+ | Sugar mill mechanic, another firm turned away |
Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique.
Steps to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Chicago
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Illinois doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you call our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers, we support you and manage the process from the initial consultation through negotiating a settlement on your behalf.
- Hire a mesothelioma lawyer: Our attorneys know how to compile evidence, work with your medical providers and build the strongest case for compensation. Chicago-based lawyers like those at Meirowitz & Wasserberg understand Illinois courts and the local asbestos exposure history that shapes your case.
- File the complaint: Your attorney will identify liable parties and gather evidence before filing your claim. Depending on the circumstances of your exposure, we may file in Cook County Circuit Court or Madison County, one of the nation’s most active asbestos dockets. Once we file, we’ll gather additional evidence in the discovery phase with the defendants.
- Negotiate a settlement or go to trial: You and your lawyer will negotiate a potential settlement with the defendant based on evidence gathered during discovery. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’ll fight for you in court.
- Pay nothing unless we win: Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles all mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs, no hourly fees.
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Fighting for the Voiceless
Every day when I walk into the office I walk past a huge picture on the wall of Rocky standing at the top of the steps like this, and it gives me, and I hope all of our team, the courage and the strength and the inspiration to take on the fights that we take on every day; fighting and giving a voice to the voiceless, leveling the playing field between the average person and some of the most influential and largest corporations in America.
We believe that it is absolutely necessary to have the best lawyers representing the most injured people. Our mission is to give a voice to the voiceless, take on some of the largest corporations on behalf of the most seriously injured people and, by having us on their side, level the playing field so that they can get justice.
And for us, we couldn’t be happier when we walk away from a case and a client says, “Thank you for having my back. Thank you for giving me my day in court and thank you for fighting for our rights.”
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma in Chicago?
Illinois law gives you two years to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. That clock starts when you receive your diagnosis, not when your exposure occurred. If you’ve lost a loved one to mesothelioma, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/) gives surviving family members two years from the date of death to file a mesothelioma wrongful death claim. Here’s what else you should know.
- Discovery rule: The two year clock starts from the date of diagnosis, or the date a doctor reasonably should have made a diagnosis. In most cases, this differs significantly from the date of exposure.
- Multiple defendants: If your exposure happened at different times or places, each defendant may face a separate limitations analysis.
- Tolling exceptions: Illinois law may extend the filing window for minors and people with incapacitating conditions.
- Wrongful death: Surviving spouses, children and dependents can file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death.
Because the statute of limitations is strict, contact an Illinois mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after your diagnosis. Every case is different. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.
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Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma Claims
Statute of limitations governs how long you have to file a mesothelioma or asbestos related lawsuit. Each state has their own specific statute of limitations so it’s best to take a look at your specific state statute of limitations to see how long you have to file a mesothelioma or asbestos related lawsuit.
How Illinois Law Protects Mesothelioma Victims
Illinois gives mesothelioma victims and their families several options for pursuing compensation. An experienced attorney can identify which ones apply to your situation and pursue every financial resource available to you.
Filing in Cook County and Madison County
Cook County is the primary venue for Chicago-area mesothelioma lawsuits. The Cook County Circuit Court’s Law Division handles asbestos cases with experienced judges and established case management procedures. If your asbestos exposure happened in Cook or Madison Counties, your case will likely be filed here.
Madison County has historically ranked among the busiest asbestos litigation venues in the country. Though located outside Chicago, it has a long track record of significant verdicts and settlements in asbestos cases and remains an important venue for Illinois mesothelioma claims.
Trust Funds and Additional Recovery Options
Some asbestos manufacturers set up trust funds as part of their bankruptcy protection process to compensate victims whose exposure traces back to their products. Several trusts cover Illinois exposure sites, including the Johns-Manville Trust, USG Corporation Trust, Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust and W.R. Grace Trust.
You can file asbestos trust fund claims in addition to filing a lawsuit depending on how many defendants are involved in your case and which declared bankruptcy and have trusts and which are still solvent and can be sued. Additionally, if asbestos exposure happened at your job, you may also have a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp covers lost wages and medical bills on a no-fault basis, whereas a personal injury lawsuit can recover full damages.
Illinois also uses a modified comparative fault system. As long as you bear less than 50% of the fault, you can still recover compensation. Every case is different. Contact our Illinois mesothelioma attorneys to discuss your specific legal options.
Start a Free ConsultationWhere Is Asbestos Found in Chicago?
Asbestos was used extensively across Chicago’s industrial, military and public buildings. Our attorneys have represented workers at exposure sites throughout the Chicago area.
Known Chicago Area Asbestos Exposure Sites
- Chicago Housing Authority buildings
- Chicago Public Schools (500+ buildings with documented asbestos)
- Commonwealth Edison Fisk and Crawford Generating Stations (Pilsen/Little Village)
- Fort Sheridan (Lake County)
- Glenview Naval Air Station (Glenview)
- Great Lakes Naval Training Center (North Chicago)
- Johns-Manville facility (Waukegan, IL) — EPA Superfund site
- Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company (LaSalle, IL)
- O’Hare International Airport (renovation projects)
- Republic Steel (South Chicago)
- U.S. Steel South Works (South Chicago)
- Wisconsin Steel (South Chicago)
Navy veterans have some of the highest rates of asbestos exposure. Military veterans who encountered asbestos may qualify for both VA benefits and a mesothelioma lawsuit.
If you worked at known Chicago-area asbestos exposure sites and you’re experiencing a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained weight loss, contact a medical professional. These symptoms can appear decades after asbestos exposure.
Who Can You Sue for Mesothelioma in Chicago?
If you’ve developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, Illinois law gives you the right to pursue compensation. State regulations protect workers from asbestos exposure and hold negligent parties accountable. Our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers will identify every liable party and build the strongest possible case for you and your family.
Illinois law allows your attorney to pursue multiple defendants simultaneously. This matters because asbestos exposure often involves several parties across different worksites and time periods. Potentially liable parties in a Chicago mesothelioma lawsuit include:
- Asbestos product manufacturers: Johns-Manville, USG Corporation and Owens Corning, are among companies that manufactured or distributed asbestos-containing products at Chicago-area worksites.
- Building owners and operators: Many failed to remediate asbestos in their properties.
- Chicago industrial employers: Steel mills, power plants and construction companies heavily used asbestos.
- Government suppliers: While veterans don’t sue the government directly, companies responsible for asbestos products used at military installations can be sued.
Under Illinois law, multiple defendants can face joint and several liability for asbestos exposure. That means our attorneys can pursue all responsible parties at once to maximize your recovery.
Every case is different. Contact our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers to discuss your specific legal options.
What Our Clients Say
Our clients trust us with their most difficult moments. Here’s what some of them have to say about working with Meirowitz & Wasserberg:
Choosing Sam and Dan to represent us in my father's Mesothelioma case is one of the best decisions we could have made as a family. Their honesty, integrity, and compassion is unsurpassed. After interviewing with other law firms they were a clear and unanimous choice for my family. While no amount of money can compensate us for the loss of our dad, Sam and Dan have fought hard on our behalf which has helped us greatly in caring for our mom and her future needs. I highly recommend Sam and Dan and all the kind, compassionate members of their team.
We are so fortunate that we met Samuel Meirowitz. My husband was diagnosed with Mesothelioma four years ago because of asbestos exposure. We met Sam and his coworkers and they took the case with such compassion and dedication. They provided professional, accurate, efficient legal advice and more. Because of them, our lives are much better now. We are so thankful for having them by our side.
My husband was diagnosed with a rare form of Mesothelioma in 2015. After the initial shock wore off my husband decided to file a lawsuit. We called a few places and decided to go with Meirowitz and Wasserberg since my husband felt most comfortable and confident talking to Daniel over the phone. Daniel flew cross country for our initial meeting and we couldn't have asked for a better attorney. Daniel was so caring and concerned and we both felt so at ease with him. He walked us through everything that might or might not happen and made the process so easy for us so that we could concentrate on my husband's medical care. Daniel flew out here a few times for depositions and testimonies. When my husband had to have a second surgery he made sure we did not have to travel to New York to appear in court. Everyone we talk to over the phone at Meirowitz and Wasserberg is so friendly and helpful. They have made our difficult time so much easier. I would highly recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a great reliable and caring attorney.
How Can Our Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyers Help With Mesothelioma?
At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers support you and your family. We have a physical office in Chicago, we’re licensed to practice in Illinois courts and we know how to navigate the complexities of mesothelioma lawsuits. Here’s what we do for you.
- Coordinate with your medical team to build the strongest possible case
- File your claim in Cook County Circuit Court or Madison County, depending on your case
- Investigate your asbestos exposure history and identify all liable parties
- Manage asbestos trust fund claims for Chicago-area exposure
- Negotiate aggressively with defendants and take cases to trial when necessary
We also serve Chicago’s diverse communities with staff who speak Spanish, Polish and other languages. No matter your background, we’re here to help.
Illinois law limits the time you have to file a mesothelioma claim. Don’t wait, call our Chicago office today. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles all mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs, no hourly fees and no hidden charges.
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How to Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
When you choose a Mesothelioma lawyer, it’s really important to hire someone that specializes in handling Mesothelioma cases. This is not the kind of law practice that your typical lawyer can handle. It would be like saying that a Pediatrist or a Dentist should do brain surgery on someone. Even though they both have a general understanding of medicine, you absolutely want a specialist who specializes in the particular area to handle your case. That’s the exact same way it is with Mesothelioma cases, and the reason for that is that it’s a very unique area of the law. There are very few people in the country that have specialized training on it, and it makes a massive difference in the outcome of a case as to whether or not you hire someone who has years and years of experience working on Mesothelioma cases. One of the things that I believe separates our firm from a lot of other firms is that, even though we have the resources of a big firm to be able to take on the largest corporations in America, we handle our clients like a boutique firm. We get very personal with our clients, they know us, they call us regularly. We are part of their families in many ways because we spend a tremendous amount of time with them at a time in their life when it can be most vulnerable, when they’re facing a very serious form of cancer. So, the way that we handle these cases is to put in a tremendous amount of effort to get the best result possible. Our clients are never treated like numbers. We know them, they know us, and that never sacrifices the results that we get. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, we’ve taken trial verdicts on behalf of our clients, we’ve litigated cases all around the country for our clients. We’re listed as amongst the top 10 asbestos filers in the country. Yet, we still stay true to our value of treating every case, every client like it’s our only one. And I believe that’s what separates us out from the other law firms that handle this work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Claims in Chicago
Do I have to pay upfront for a Chicago mesothelioma lawyer?
No. Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles all mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, hourly fees or hidden charges.
How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take in Chicago?
Mesothelioma lawsuits often move faster than other cases because of the serious nature of the illness. Many cases in Cook County resolve within 12 to 18 months, though timelines vary depending on the complexity of the case and the number of defendants. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.
Can family members file a mesothelioma claim in Illinois?
Yes. Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, surviving family members, including spouses, children and dependents, can file a claim within two years of the date of death.
These answers are for informational purposes. Results may vary. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.
Our Chicago Lawyers
Meirowitz & Wasserberg’s Chicago mesothelioma team includes Illinois-licensed attorneys with decades of experience fighting for asbestos victims. When you hire our firm, you get the resources of a national practice with the personal attention of a local firm.
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Licensed in Illinois
Daniel Wasserberg is a founding partner and one of the nation’s premier mesothelioma and negligence attorneys. Illinois-licensed and available 24/7, Daniel has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for mesothelioma victims across the country. He speaks regularly at industry summits and has litigated mesothelioma cases in courts nationwide.
Nathaniel Wallace
Associate
Licensed in Illinois
Nathaniel J. Wallace joined Meirowitz & Wasserberg in 2023. He’s licensed in Illinois and experienced in cancer-related lawsuits as both a client and a lawyer. That experience shapes his fierce, empathetic approach to advocacy. Illinois Super Lawyers named Nate a Rising Star every year from 2020 through 2025, a distinction that goes to only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys. Nate focuses his practice on representing asbestos exposure victims throughout the country.
Our full mesothelioma team includes 16+ attorneys nationwide. When you hire Meirowitz & Wasserberg, you get the resources of a national practice with the personal attention of a local firm.
Our Chicago Office: 33 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1150 Chicago, Illinois 60602 312-667-3722
Contact Us for Your Free Case ReviewAbout The Author
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is a Best Lawyers-recognized and Super Lawyers-rated mesothelioma attorney with over 20 years of experience. Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 10 Asbestos-Mesothelioma Lawyer, he leads the firm's national asbestos practice.
