The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon · Chicago
He spent more than two decades defending heavy industry. Now he takes it on for you and your family.
Asbestos, mesothelioma, railroad injury and occupational disease claims for workers and families in Illinois and Northwest Indiana.
Free and confidential. In the office or by video. No attorney's fees unless we secure compensation for you.
- defending corporations
- More than two decades
- handled from the defense side
- Thousands of cases
- representing only workers and families
- The last four years
02 · Who we represent
Start with the work you did.
Asbestos & mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other asbestos-related illness, including exposure carried home on a family member's work clothes. We file lawsuits, bankruptcy trust claims and wrongful death claims.
Asbestos & mesothelioma claimsYou worked for a railroadRailroad workers (FELA)
Railroad workers are not covered by state workers' compensation. Your claim falls under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, and it has to prove the railroad's negligence. We handle injuries on the job and cancers tied to asbestos, diesel exhaust and benzene.
Railroad injury and cancer claimsYou worked in a mill, refinery or plantWorkers' compensation
Occupational cancer and lung disease from steel, refining, chemical and construction work in Illinois and Indiana. There are usually two claims here, not one.
Workers' compensation claimsNot sure which applies? Careers that mixed railroad and industrial work can carry more than one claim. Ask us.
03 · The other side
He is not guessing about the other side's strategy. He implemented it daily.
Gregory M. McMahon began his career defending some of the world's largest Fortune 500 companies against people who developed cancer from toxic exposure. He did that for more than two decades, on thousands of cases. For the last four years he has represented only the people on the other side of those cases.
What a corporate defense does, and he knows from the inside
Delay or deny
The tactics and maneuvers corporate defendants use to delay a claim or deny it.
Attack the evidence
The kinds of evidence, and the weak points, that a defense team goes after.
Shrink the number
The strategies used to minimize the value of what a person has suffered.
We use that knowledge to anticipate those moves and to put you in the strongest position we can for negotiation or trial.
04 · Industrial workers in Illinois and Indiana
Workers' comp is the floor, not the ceiling.
| The workers' comp claim | The third-party claim | |
|---|---|---|
| Against | Your employer | The manufacturers and suppliers of the toxic products, and in some cases the premises owner |
| Pays for | Medical treatment and disability benefits set by statute | Medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering |
| Pain and suffering | Not covered | Covered |
| Limit | Capped by statutory schedules | No statutory cap |
| Also includes | Death benefits for surviving family | Claims against asbestos bankruptcy trusts |
The workers' comp claim
- Against
- Your employer
- Pays for
- Medical treatment and disability benefits set by statute
- Pain and suffering
- Not covered
- Limit
- Capped by statutory schedules
- Also includes
- Death benefits for surviving family
The third-party claim
- Against
- The manufacturers and suppliers of the toxic products, and in some cases the premises owner
- Pays for
- Medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering
- Pain and suffering
- Covered
- Limit
- No statutory cap
- Also includes
- Claims against asbestos bankruptcy trusts
Gregory handles both claims, in parallel. A workers' comp settlement handled the wrong way can close off the second claim.
05 · Filing deadlines
Every one of these claims has a deadline.
Mesothelioma, Illinois lawsuit
Two years
generally, from the date of diagnosis
Wrongful death, Illinois
Two years
from the date of your family member's passing
Occupational disease, Illinois workers' comp
Three years
generally, from when you knew or should have known it was work-related, or two years from your last exposure, whichever is later
Occupational disease, Indiana workers' comp
Two years
from your last harmful exposure, or from first knowing the disability is work-related, whichever is later
Railroad claims under FELA
To confirm[RECOMMENDATION: FELA filing deadline, to be supplied by the firm]
Two things not to do in the meantime
Do not sign any release, settlement or statement with your employer's insurer before talking to an attorney.
Do not negotiate with the railroad's claims agents alone. They work to minimize your payout.
06 · Your attorney
Gregory M. McMahon, founder.
Gregory started out defending Fortune 500 companies in complex lawsuits brought by people who developed cancer after exposure to toxic substances. Over more than two decades he became closely familiar with how large corporations approach high-stakes litigation.
Then he changed sides. Today he represents the people those companies harmed. This is a smaller, focused practice, and clients work directly with him.
- Admitted to practice
- To confirm[RECOMMENDATION: bar admissions and year]
- Education
- To confirm[RECOMMENDATION: law school and degree]
Recent writing from the firm
07 · What it costs and what happens
The first conversation is free. After that, no attorney's fees unless we secure compensation for you.
Call or send the form
The consultation is free, confidential and carries no obligation. Meet at the office on Michigan Avenue or by video if travel is hard.
Bring what you have
Pathology reports, discharge summaries or old pay stubs help. None of it is required to start.
We work out who is responsible
We go through your work history to identify every company that may owe you: employers, railroads, product manufacturers and asbestos trusts.
The fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, and only if there is one.
08 · Where we work
Based in Chicago. Working across Illinois and Northwest Indiana.
Rail yards
- Champaign YardIllinois Central
- Decatur YardNorfolk Southern
- Shops Yard, SpringfieldIllinois & Midland
- Powerton Yard, PekinIllinois & Midland
- Galesburg YardBNSF
- Kankakee YardNorfolk Southern
- Quiver Yard, HavanaIllinois & Midland
- Fremont Street Yard, OttawaIllinois Railway
- Silvis YardIowa Interstate
- East Peoria YardTazewell & Peoria
- Dupo YardUnion Pacific
- Gateway Yard, East St. LouisAlton and Southern
- Roselake Yard, East St. LouisCSX
- Madison YardTRRA
Mills, refineries and plants
- US Steel Gary Works
- Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
- The ArcelorMittal-era facilities in East Chicago
- BP Whiting Refinery
09 · We've got your back
Tell us what happened.
Call (464) 250-9272 or fill out the form. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.
205 North Michigan Ave., Suite 810Chicago, IL 60601Map & directions
Free and confidential. No attorney's fees unless we secure compensation for you.