Diagnosed with Mesothelioma After Workplace Asbestos Exposure? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you were exposed to asbestos at work, you could be at risk for developing mesothelioma—an aggressive and deadly cancer that forms in the thin layer of tissue surrounding most internal organs.

Your Risk of Mesothelioma Depends on Your Industry

Despite modern safety laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that up to 1.3 million workers in the U.S. are still exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. This is because asbestos, once prized for its natural heat resistance, was widely used in construction, manufacturing, and insulation for decades.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned many uses of asbestos in the 1970s—such as sprayed insulation on pipes—they were not successful in banning all asbestos-containing products. According to the EPA, some asbestos-containing materials still legally manufactured and distributed today include:

• Cement corrugated sheets

• Cement flat sheets

• Protective clothing

• Pipeline wraps

• Roofing felt

• Vinyl flooring

In workplaces where asbestos is present, employers are legally required to minimize exposure by implementing safety measures such as regulated areas, specialized work practices, and engineering controls to reduce airborne asbestos fibers. When these standards are ignored, employees may face life-changing mesothelioma diagnoses—and businesses may face shutdowns.

For example, a Pillsbury Mills plant in Springfield, Illinois was permanently closed after the EPA removed over 2,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated debris and hazardous waste.

^{Recently Diagnosed with Mesothelioma in Illinois? We Can Help.}

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to occupational asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation—but time is limited under the Illinois statute of limitations.

At Shannon Law Group, P.C., our experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help you pursue justice and financial recovery. Call us today at (312) 578-9501 or toll-free at (866) 881-9980, or fill out the contact form below. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation and will respond promptly to your inquiry.