Asbestos Exposure at Illinois Caterpillar Plants: What You Need to Know

Illinois has one of the highest asbestos-related death rates in the country. It has recently been reported that workers in the Caterpillar plants located in Illinois may have been exposed to asbestos. Since 1925, Caterpillar has become the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. Caterpillar operates offices throughout the state of Illinois, including Chicago, Aurora, Peoria, Deerfield, Decatur, and more. Several of these commercial and industrial buildings were built in the 20th century. As a result, they likely contain asbestos fibers in the insulation.

Asbestos Exposure at Caterpillar Plants May Result in Mesothelioma

There is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Any exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing mesothelioma for the rest of your life. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in malignant mesothelioma, a type of aggressive cancer that affects the lungs, the lining of the lungs, the chest cavity, and possibly the abdominal cavity.

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma.  Fibers can cling to the hair, skin, clothing, or shoes of workers. As a result, family members also are at risk of being exposed.  For example, asbestos exposure has also been linked to cases of ovarian cancer. Statistics have shown that women exposed to asbestos are far more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those who are not.

Malignant mesothelioma is commonly diagnosed in people between the age of 50 and 75 years old. In the United States, there are approximately 3,200 malignant mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year. One in three US military veterans will develop an asbestos-related disease in their lifetime.

The World Health Organization has revealed that there were 92,253 mesothelioma deaths reported by 83 countries between 1994 and 2008. Today, more than 20 million Americans are at risk of developing malignant mesothelioma in their lifetime due to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos manufacturers knew, as far back as the early 1920s, that asbestos caused asbestosis. This condition occurs due to long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers.  The first case of malignant mesothelioma was definitively linked to asbestos exposure in 1964.

Litigation revealed memos from various corporate executives admitting knowledge of the dangers but wanting nothing to do with notifying those at risk.  Some memos included, “If you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos products, why not die from it.”  The president of a well-known corporation was exposed in documents calling a competing company’s group of managers, “a bunch of fools” for notifying employees who had asbestosis.  That same corporation president was asked by a corporate representative, “Do you mean to tell me you would let them work until they drop dead?” to which he responded, “Yes, we save a lot of money that way.”

If you’re like to learn more about the dark history of asbestos in the United States, download our free book, Meso Killers: A Saga of Corporate Greed, Lies, and the Painful Deaths of American Workers.

Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? We Can Help

Asbestos settlement trusts were established to help compensate workers and families for asbestos exposure, which causes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. When an asbestos company establishes a trust fund, all settlements are managed by trustees who decide the compensation amounts paid to mesothelioma claimants.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure at their workplace, we can help. Our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers are available to meet with you and discuss your options going forward. Schedule your free consultation now by calling our office at (312) 874-6730.