michelle stump
16 days ago
Working with Ed and Amber has been a true pleasure. They handled my claim efficiently and professionally, ensuring the process moved smoothly from start to finish. Their responsiveness, expertise, and effectiveness in working with the insurance carrier contributed greatly to a successful resolution. I sincerely appreciate their efforts, dedication, and guidance throughout the matter, and I am grateful for the outstanding service they provided.
Johanna Bukowski
2 months ago
Ed and Maggie have both been a pleasure to work with! They keep you up to date on your case, clearly explain the process and next steps along the way, respond quickly to any questions and always offer different options to discuss details (email, phone, text, Zoom, etc.). What I appreciate more than anything, is their genuine compassion and concern for you as a person. They both demonstrate true empathy for what is most likely one of the most unexpected and traumatic events in a person’s life and do everything they can to ensure justice is served. I highly recommend Collins Law!
Jeff Matticks
3 months ago
I became aware of Collins Law Group after I was involved in a motorcycle, several years ago. Since that time I have reached out to Ed Manzke, at Collins Law Group, for assistance in a couple of other areas. In each instance, I have found Ed and his team to be very helpful with great communication, keeping me informed every step along the way. Everyone who I have interacted with, at Collins Law Group, demonstrated that they are interested in building relationships so that you know who you can turn to for any of your legal needs.
Ella Folson
3 months ago
Chris and John were attentive and thorough to my needs throughout my entire case. I appreciate the all the time and effort they took. I will be recommending their services going forward to family and friends! Thank you so much for all your help!
J. Savv
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very patient and kind with helping me and my sister with our mom’s case. He often took the time out his day to explain everything to ensure we understood what was going on. The law firm itself is organized making our whole process run smoothly. I appreciate Ed and his team.
Unique Morris
3 months ago
Ed Manzke was very informative, clear and honest when it came to my mother and father’s case. He took his time with all of my questions and concerns, making sure that no questions went unanswered and that there was no room for confusion with our case. I’m forever grateful for Ed and everyone at the law firm.
Nick Erlenbaugh
3 months ago
Collins Law was recommended to me after I was involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Amber Blevins was exceptional to work with. She is a total pro at what she does and made the process as easy as she could for me. Ed ensured I received the best outcome possible and exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who might be shopping around for an attorney!
Dwayne Kurfirst
4 months ago
I want to take a moment to recognize John at Collins Law for the incredible work he did in helping my mom secure her settlement. It wasn’t a quick or easy process—it took time, patience, and persistence—but John stayed committed every step of the way. What stood out most was his professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for getting the best possible outcome. He kept us informed, navigated the complexities with confidence, and ultimately delivered results that truly made a difference for our family. If you’re looking for someone who will put in the work, stand by you through a long process, and follow through, I highly recommend John and the team at Collins Law.
Helen Montague
5 months ago
We are fortunate to have had the chance to work with John Risvold as he represented my brother in his case. Professional, personable and authentic in his manner, John kept us informed throughout the long process, and was always available to respond to my many questions. Having never been involved with a law suit, I really appreciated John's patience (especially since I am 1,000 miles away) and his genuine care for my brother's well being. We are forever grateful, John. Thank you.
Matthew Malone
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience being represented by Collins Law Firm. Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins were amazing to work with and truly helped me in my time of need. Both were extremely personable and knowledgeable throughout every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone’s legal needs.
Ronnie Sanchez
6 months ago
I had an excellent experience with The Collins Law firm. Amber was extremely helpful, kind, and friendly throughout the entire process. She took the time to explain everything clearly whenever I didn’t understand something, which meant a lot to me. I truly felt supported and informed. I will absolutely seek Collin’s help again if I ever need legal assistance in the future. Thank you again :)
Maddie Scheele
6 months ago
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ed Manzke and Amber Blevins. They are truly the best of the best. The efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process of my case has been unmatched. What I really want to point out, though, is the empathy and compassion both Amber and Ed hold. That was the true difference maker. I knew they both prioritized my well-being and made that their number one priority. They represented me to their highest capabilities through every step of my case, and I cannot thank them and Collins Law Firm enough.
Leticia Pink
7 months ago
Ms. Maggie Galka is an experienced environmental (radon) attorney who prioritizes her clients' health and safety in her legal practice. She maintains thorough records and offers strategic advice while working with government agencies. Ms. Galka demonstrates key values such as integrity, expertise, respect, empathy, and compassion essential for positive outcomes. Her professionalism, follow-up and communication skills are excellent. Ms. Galka's guidance extends beyond legal issues, and the Collins Law Firm advocates strongly and effectively for clients. We sincerely thank Collins Law Firm, and in particular Ms. Galka, for helping our family reach a successful outcome and for their meaningful impact on our community. I strongly recommend Ms. Galka and Collins Law Firm as an outstanding legal firm.
Megan
7 months ago
I can’t say enough good things about John Risvold at The Collins Law Firm. From start to finish, John was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made me feel like my case truly mattered. His dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care made a stressful situation much easier to handle. John’s expertise and clear communication built a lot of trust, and I’m very grateful for his hard work. I would highly recommend John Risvold to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled attorney.
David Bretti
7 months ago
(Translated by Google) They are very responsible in what they do, they were able to resolve my case quickly and efficiently, I especially recommend Mr. Chris for always being in contact and being honest throughout the process 👏🏻 (Original) Son muy responsables en lo que hacen, pudieron resolver mi caso de forma rápida y eficaz, recomendando, especialmente el Se Chris por siempre estar en contacto y ser sincero en todo el proceso 👏🏻
Jas R.
7 months ago
Amber was very thorough, informative, and made this process very easy for me, which I greatly appreciated considering all the events that led up to this point. Justice isn’t always served, but working with Collin’s Law Firm really me feel that my injuries were tangibly worth something, and that to some degree, justice was served. Would highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking out a personal injury firm/attorney.
Amy Ressen
9 months ago
I wana say a huge thank you to the Collin’s Law firm and Chris Gauthier for helping me with my Complicated case. They helped me put my life back together after a horrible incident that I didn’t think I could over come. Chris was always good about communicating and he made sure I got what I deserved! I highly recommend this law firm they were so kind and reassuring that things would work out. Thank you again for all the hard work and being there to help me through the process when I didn’t know where to turn to for help! Thanks again Chris and The Collin’s Law firm!
Lauren Dryanski
9 months ago
I had an exceptional experience with Collins Law Firm . A special thank you to Chris, my lawyer, and Patti, the legal assistant. They helped me navigate my car accident proceedings from start to finish, and I always felt like I was in great hands. Chris was incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and explained everything in a way I could understand. He always made sure I felt informed and supported, especially when it came to legal details I wouldn’t normally know. Patti was also wonderful—very helpful, communicative, and always made sure I had everything I needed throughout the process. I never once doubted this team. They made everything easy and stress-free. I would absolutely recommend Collins Law Firm to anyone in need of legal support!
Will Brooks
10 months ago
John brings impressive expertise and heartfelt dedication to every matter he handles. His thoughtful approach and clear communication make it easy to trust his advice, and it’s evident he is committed to fighting for what’s right with both professionalism and empathy. John’s balance of insightful expertise and warm, personal attention truly sets him apart.
Icela Hernandez
11 months ago
If ever needed. I will gladly go to the Collins law firm again. They were always quick to respond any questions. Happy to say case is closed and all went well .
Have you developed breast cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or leukemia after prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide from a facility in your community? If so, you may have a toxic tort claim against the polluter, and we can help.
We are a leading environmental law firm that helped win a $408 million settlement for hundreds of clients suffering from cancer after years of exposure to ethylene oxide emissions from a Sterigenics sterilization facility in their community. Moreover, our environmental attorneys were part of the legal team that took the first Sterigenics case to trial and won a $363 million dollar judgement against the defendant and its parent company. That verdict was the highest ever in the state of Illinois for a single plaintiff and sent a warning to other companies that polluting the air with carcinogenic ethylene oxide emissions could be very costly.
We are environmental, toxic tort attorneys. Our knowledgeable ethylene oxide exposure attorneys have been representing clients diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to toxic chemicals for many years. Our decades of experience dealing with the complex science that is a part of these “toxic tort” cancer cases sets us apart from many of the other personal injury law firms involved with ethylene oxide lawsuits. These toxic tort lawsuits are not the typical injury cases that most personal injury firms handle. They are an environmental lawsuit and a personal injury case blended into one complex case and require the right kind of scientific experts and legal experience. That is why it is important to hire the right law firm to handle your claim. The ethylene oxide exposure lawyers at Collins Law Group will give you the edge you need in your case. Call us at (630) 527-1595 for a free evaluation of your ethylene oxide cancer claim.
In the summer of 2018, the residents of Willowbrook, IL who lived near a Sterigenics plant discovered--through an Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) report entitled “Evaluation of Potential Health Impacts from Ethylene Oxide Emissions”--that the plant had been emitting a carcinogen—ethylene oxide—into the air in their community for years. The report also concluded that area residents exposed to this ethylene oxide for prolonged periods had elevated risks for contracting cancer, especially breast and blood cancers. The residents needed an experienced toxic tort lawyer to help them get justice, and they needed Sterigenics to be held accountable if the company had made them sick. So, they turned to the environmental attorneys at Collins Law because that is exactly what we do: we fight for neighborhoods and families who have been impacted by toxic chemicals and we make polluters take responsibility for the damage they have caused. We have years of experience fighting big polluters, the EPA, and the government– and winning.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Sterigenics plant has been emitting ethylene oxide into the surrounding community since at least 1995 and most likely longer. After the EPA tested air samples in the commercial and residential areas within a mile of the plant, the ATSDR determined that “an elevated cancer risk exists for residents and off-site workers in the Willowbrook community surrounding the Sterigenics facility. These elevated risks present a public health hazard to these populations.” In fact, the ASTSDR estimated that Sterigenics’ ethylene oxide emissions were making nearby residents sixty-four times more likely to get cancer.
Beginning in 2018, then-partner Shawn Collins and the firm joined with several other law firms to fight Sterigenics on behalf of more than 800 residents of the Willowbrook, IL, area who had contracted cancer after unknowingly breathing a carcinogen known as ethylene oxide (EtO) for many years.
The residents’ cases were consolidated into one mass litigation in Cook County (IL), In re Willowbrook Ethylene Oxide Litigation, Case No. 18 L 10475, before Judge Marguerite Quinn. In recognition of his 20 years of environmental litigation experience, Shawn was appointed a co-lead of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC).
Shawn took leading roles in all aspects of the litigation, co-conducting most of the depositions concerning defendants’ conduct; developing the Plaintiffs’ positions on scientific/medical causation; and co-leading Plaintiffs’ successful argument for punitive damages.
Shawn then served as co-counsel in the first trial, Kamuda, et al., v. Sterigenics U.S., LLC, et al., for Plaintiff Sue Kamuda, a breast cancer victim. Shawn examined several fact and expert witnesses; handled many oral arguments; and participated in all strategic decisions. On September 19, 2022, the jury returned Illinois’ largest-ever single plaintiff verdict against the defendants: $363 million. $325 million of the verdict (90%) was for punitive damages—an extraordinary condemnation of the defendants' horrible conduct.
The record-setting $363 million Kamuda verdict was the result of years of preparation by the plaintiff’s lawyers in the In re Willowbrook Ethylene Oxide Litigation. Shawn played a lead role in virtually every aspect of this preparation—for both Sue Kamuda’s case and all cases that would follow it—devoting his professional life to the case for the 4 years leading up to the Kamuda trial.
The size of the Kamuda verdict, combined with the trial court’s denial of the defendants’ post-trial motions attempting to overturn the verdict, together with the fact that Shawn and other PEC lawyers were preparing 800+ more cancer victims’ cases for trial after Kamuda, was plainly the driving force in the defendants’ willingness to engage in discussions aimed at settling all the cases in the litigation.
As one of three of the co-leads of the PEC, Shawn was a critical participant in those discussions. As a result of these negotiations, one of the defendants and its parent company agreed to settle with 878 of the litigation’s Plaintiffs for $408 million.
Ethylene oxide is a colorless, highly reactive gas that is sometimes used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment. Sources of ethylene oxide emissions to the air include uncontrolled emissions or venting in industrial settings, such as the Sterigenics plant. Once in the air, ethylene oxide can enter your body when the air is breathed into your lungs. More importantly, Ethylene oxide has been listed on the federal list of carcinogens as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” since 1985. In 2000, that listing was changed to “known to be a human carcinogen“. Finally, in 2016, the US EPA released a new assessment of ethylene oxide that concluded that it was 30 times more likely to cause cancer than previously believed.
According to multiple federal agencies, there is convincing evidence in human scientific studies that ethylene oxide is linked to an increased risk of:
Other possible health effects from exposure:
If you work, live or used to live close to a sterilization facility or another plant that emits ethylene oxide and have been diagnosed with cancer, consult your doctor, and ask if your illness might have an environmental cause. Then talk to one of our experienced ethylene oxide exposure attorneys to see if you may have a lawsuit against the polluter responsible.
Victims who have been diagnosed with cancer because of toxic air pollution may be able to recover for damages. If your cancer or other illness is provably linked to ethylene oxide exposure in the scientific studies, you may be able to recover:
If you believe you have developed cancer because of prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide contamination and have questions about your health or legal options, please call one of the experienced environmental attorneys at Collins Law Group today at (630) 527-1595 to protect your rights. Or fill out our contact form, and let us help you fight back!
Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Blog - Ethylene Oxide
Click here for more information on our ethylene oxide blog.
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