A mesothelioma diagnosis has major impacts on all aspects of your and your family’s lives. Between medical treatments, financial strain, and emotional stress, you are carrying a heavy burden. So, when your mesothelioma claim gets denied, whether it’s through an asbestos trust, workers’ compensation, or the VA, it can feel like another devastating blow.

If you live in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, you have options. Many mesothelioma victims in the Chicago area, including former construction workers, steelworkers, Navy veterans, and tradespeople, have faced similar challenges.

The good news is that a denial is not the end of the road. With the right plan, you can appeal and fight for the compensation you deserve. Here is what you want to know about why claims are denied, what the appeals process looks like, and how a strong legal strategy can turn things around.

Many car owners opt for larger vehicles. It makes sense for a family car, and it also provides an added measure of safety. The prevailing wisdom is that the bigger the car, the more it can withstand the force of an impact.

While that is generally true, the size of that car won’t matter when it crashes into a semi-truck that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.

A recent double crash involving two separate collisions with a semi-truck on a single day in Woodstock, Illinois, is a perfect example. As reported by CBS News, the two crashes left a pickup truck and an SUV crushed. Fortunately, there were no fatalities; only injuries occurred. This is the exact type of truck accident that automatically triggers an investigation by local, state, and federal authorities.

If the victims of the crash intend to blame the truck driver, then the truck’s maintenance records will play a pivotal role in the investigation.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Chicago, you’re already dealing with enough stress, pain, and uncertainty. Additionally, the legal side can feel like a maze.

One of the first big questions you will face is whether to try to settle your case or go all the way to trial. Both paths have pros and cons. When you know how each works in Illinois, that can help you make decisions that feel right for you and your family.

Accidents happen faster than you can blink. You might have experienced a fender bender on I-80, slipped on a wet floor in downtown Morris, or taken a tumble at work.

Most of the time, you walk away with a few bruises or a headache. But sometimes, the injuries you cannot see are the ones that matter most. Can a head injury or concussion cause memory loss after an accident?

Here’s what you need to know about how your brain works.

Why Does Memory Loss Happen?

To answer the question, you can experience memory loss after a brain injury. Your brain processes signals for your entire brain. A hit to the head can jam those signals. In turn, that can make it harder to store and recall memories.

Some people cannot remember what happened right before the accident. This is known as retrograde amnesia. On the other hand, others struggle to retain new information, a condition called anterograde amnesia.

Even a minor concussion can leave you forgetful or foggy for days or weeks. Severe head trauma can bring longer-term challenges. And if you have had repeated head injuries, the risks go up.

Cancer is an insidious disease that touches nearly every family in the country. It can be diagnosed and detected, but often there is no direct correlation to the cause. For instance, someone can develop lung cancer even if they’ve never smoked.

However, there is one form of cancer that does have a direct cause.

That would be mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos. This is an aggressive form of cancer that can be dormant for decades before being diagnosed. It is also a type of cancer that can be caused by secondary asbestos exposure. The other issue to consider with asbestos exposure is that it can often be traced back to a specific source.

In such instances, the person diagnosed with mesothelioma is entitled to seek a remedy that provides compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and any associated pain and suffering.

The experienced Chicago mesothelioma lawyers at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP have helped many clients pursue a fair settlement to alleviate the immense financial and emotional burdens this disease causes. That support also extends to anyone who has developed mesothelioma from secondary asbestos exposure.

As winter approaches, you take precautions. You need to ensure the pipes are wrapped to prevent them from freezing. Make sure you have good snow tires and a scraper for the windshield.

One of the most important ways to prepare for winter is to ensure you have a good pair of shoes that help you navigate icy sidewalks. Whether you’re just walking in from the parking lot at the Peru Mall or heading over to the Riverfront Bar & Grill for dinner, you want to make sure you don’t take a fall.

Unfortunately, winter is not the only time you’ve got to be careful when walking on sidewalks and across parking lots. You need to be cautious anytime you are walking anywhere outside the house. A trip on a poorly maintained sidewalk can lead to serious injury and significant financial burdens.

You might think that type of accident is entirely your fault. However, the property owner, who left the sidewalk in disrepair, could be held liable.

Suppose this is a scenario you’re currently involved in. In that case, you should consult with a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer in Peru, such as the team at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP. We have helped many clients hold landlords, property management companies, and owners responsible for pedestrian accidents.

For the last several seasons, SGKR Injury Law has been the Home Run Sponsor for the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp baseball team. For each home run the Pistol Shrimp hit at their home stadium, Schweickert Field, SGKR Injury Law donates $100.00 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry. During the 2025 season, the Pistol Shrimp hit 17 home runs at Schweickert Field, so SGKR Injury Law donated $1,700.00 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry. On October 22, 2025 (photo pictured above), Matt Rundio of SGKR Injury Law presented MJ Credi, the executive director of the Illinois Valley Food Pantry, the $1,700.00 check with June Keeley, general manager of the Pistol Shrimp present for the presentation.    

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry recently moved to a new location in Peru, Illinois (pictured below), that will allow it to better serve our community. The Illinois Valley Food Pantry has been serving our community for more than 43 years and has been a vital resource for individuals and families in need. Illinois Valley Food Pantry serves thousands of people each year and offers food support in a respectful and compassionate way. The Illinois Valley Food Pantry relies on food and money donations that allow it to serve so many people in our community. We are proud to help them every season.

A mesothelioma diagnosis brings emotional, physical, and financial difficulties both for patients and their loved ones. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that’s often linked to asbestos exposure. By the time it is diagnosed, sometimes decades after exposure, treatment options can be limited.

While the road ahead can feel overwhelming, there are steps that patients and families can take to manage and minimize the impact of this disease.

Finding the right medical care, seeking emotional support, and exploring financial resources can make a significant difference in quality of life.

There are over 200 types of cancer that can take direct aim at our health. Genetic mutations cause a small percentage of those cancer types. However, the overwhelming cause of cancer is triggered by mutations that happen as a result of aging or exposure to environmental factors. According to the National Cancer Institute, the leading contributors to non-hereditary cancers are tobacco smoke and radiation.

Another major environmental factor is inhaling or being exposed to asbestos. When that occurs, a person can develop mesothelioma. Because this type of cancer is caused by asbestos exposure, there could be a negligent act associated with that exposure. For instance, the owner of a building could be held accountable if workers were diagnosed with mesothelioma because of asbestos that was not mitigated in the facility.

That is the exact type of scenario in which you need to involve a mesothelioma lawyer like you’ll find at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP. We have helped clients and their families seek a fair remedy to compensate for the physical and emotional toll a mesothelioma diagnosis can create. Understanding how this disease can affect a person’s health is crucial to forming a narrative supporting a personal injury claim.

Asbestos was once hailed for its durability. However, over the decades, it has become one of the most dangerous materials workers can encounter.

What are the safety measures for workers in high-risk asbestos occupations?

The stakes are high. Any exposure can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Let’s look at the steps companies and workers can take to ensure everyone’s safety.

The Danger of Asbestos

Asbestos fibers are tiny. They are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye. But once they are inhaled, they can cause problems. These fibers often come from old insulation, roofing, or flooring. Along with that, they can also spread through the air during demolition or repairs.

Exposure to asbestos has been linked to many illnesses, including mesothelioma.

When working around these fibers, it is important to stay safe. For employers, this means performing a thorough work environment assessment to identify potential hazards. Most of this work needs to happen before workers even step onto the job site.

Here are some measures that should be taken for any workers in these high-risk areas.