The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association supports an important bill that, when signed into law, will protect Illinois workers who suffer or die from exposure to toxic substances regardless of where they are working.
Senate Bill 328, a measure approved by the General Assembly and awaiting the signature ofGov. JB Pritzker, would help an injured individual seeking justice in an Illinois court ensure that all responsible parties are included as defendants in the case, regardless of their headquarters’ location.
Illinois contractors commonly send workers to perform tasks at multiple sites in other states. If during those visits an employee has repeated and prolonged exposure to a highly toxic substance— and gets seriously ill or dies — companies responsible for failing to warn or protect that person should be held accountable.
One example is asbestos, a mineral with strong fire-suppression properties used in a wide range of products, including building construction materials. Scientists began to see that a toxic form of lung cancer called mesothelioma was caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Today, about 3,000 Americans annually are diagnosed with the disease, and most will endure years of pain and medical treatment before dying from the disease.
Fortunately, Illinoisans live in a state that is particularly well-equipped to handle such legal cases. Through decades of experience trying asbestos claims, judges, as well as plaintiff and defense attorneys, have developed subject matter expertise that makes for a much more efficient legal process, saving the court’s time and taxpayer resources.
With the Trump Administration choosing to stop enforcing various environmental protections and reconsidering the ban on cancer-causing asbestos, the state must step in, according to Timothy J. Cavanagh, ITLA President. “Governor Pritzker’s signature on the bill will send a clear message that Illinois is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to public health.”
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