Illinois Mesothelioma Attorney, Facts and Figures

It is very startling to know that every year around 10,000 deaths are reported to result from Mesothelioma in the US. Out of this huge number, more then 17,000 were reported dead in Illinois during 1979 to 2001. Another frightening aspect is that the number of these deaths is accurate as the data was collected from the government’s death certificates.

It is a matter of great concern for Americans that even though commercial and industrial use of asbestos has been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency since 1989, deaths from Mesothelioma are increasing. The fact is that even though the use of asbestos was banned decades ago, people who were exposed to asbestos more than 20 years ago are now showing symptoms of this disease and coming forward for treatment and claims.

Also, people who worked in shipyards, dockyards, asbestos mines and mills, factories and insulation industries are being diagnosed by Mesothelioma as it take more than 20-30 years for the symptoms to appear. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and it can take a long time to manifest itself in the body and show symptoms by which it becomes too late to treat it. It is only preventable by avoiding exposure to asbestos.

It was found in a survey conducted in 2004 that asbestos is still 80% used in roofing products, 8% in gaskets, 4% in friction products and 8% in other consumer products. This shows that 100% ban has not been imposed on industries using asbestos and it still poses a threat to human life.

Majority of Mesothelioma cases go undetected or they are not properly diagnosed due to the long latency period. When these symptoms appear, they are mistaken for other illnesses. This leads to lack of proper treatment due to which many people die.

Mesothelioma mainly attacks the lining of the stomach known as peritoneal Mesothelioma or the lining of the lungs known as Pleural Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma in Illinois

Due to high shipments of vermiculite containing asbestos shipped from Libby, Montana to 30 locations in Illinois during 1948 and 1993, Mesothelioma cases went up. When this vermiculite was exfoliated, lots of asbestos dust and particles were released which caused Mesothelioma in many people living and working nearby.

According to the latest statistics, it is in Cook County, IL that a large number of asbestos cases were found. It shows that a large number of people living in Illinois have been affected by this fatal disease.

Also, the government has listed 603Fenton Lane, W.R. Grace & Company in west Chicago as the prime site for containing large storage of asbestos.

Contact a Mesothelioma attorney if you are suffering from this deadly disease and you contracted it because of unsafe working environment. We have listed Mesothelioma attorneys in each state on this site to help you find suitable legal help.