Johanna Bukowski
1 month 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
2 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
3 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
8 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 .
Sharif Maadi
1 year ago
I’ve had the opportunity to co-counsel with John Risvold and he is a great attorney. He brings a high level of experience, strategic insight, and tenacity to every case. Truly an asset to the personal injury field. Rest assured, your case is in good hands with this firm
By the time the federal government started regulating the dangerous chemicals TCE and PCE in the 1980s, these cancer-causing chemicals were already in our soil and groundwater supplies, likely making countless people sick. Even though there are protective laws on the books now, the government's enforcement efforts are frequently ineffective, and often more protective of the companies that make and use these chemicals, than residents and workers most in need of protection.
The environmental lawyers at Collins Law Group, however, can use the law to fight on your behalf. From our law firm in Naperville, Illinois, our lawyers represent the victims of TCE and PCE contamination throughout the country.
We have recovered hundreds of millions on behalf of our environmental litigation clients and have successfully fought to make their neighborhoods safe places to live and raise children again. Contact us to continue the fight. Our TCE and PCE attorneys can help you get clean air and water and compensation if you have been harmed by toxic contamination.
Sadly, the illegal dumping of industrial solvents like TCE and PCE has been going on for decades. Corporations spent the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s dumping these chemicals, which then migrated underground, contaminating the soil and water. The legacy created by this illegal dumping is the endangerment of health and property values today.
Trichloroethylene is a solvent used as a degreasing agent in metal fabrication operations. It is also used in other industries like carpet cleaning, textiles, leather production, adhesives, paints, inks, electronics, rubber ,and plastics. Perchloroethylene (also called tetrachloroethylene, PERC, or PCE) was used primarily in dry cleaning operations before it was phased out. Unfortunately, some dry cleaners improperly disposed of used dry cleaning fluid for years, causing long-term contamination of the soil and groundwater nearby. PCE is also used in industry for processing textiles and degreasing metal parts.
People can be exposed to TCE or PCE through breathing contaminated air, drinking or bathing in contaminated water; or eating contaminated food. Since TCE and PCE are slow to biodegrade and can stay in water for a long time, one very common source of exposure is through contaminated groundwater. Families with private wells are especially vulnerable because they get their water –for drinking, bathing, and washing dishes—directly from a groundwater source. If a plume of contamination migrates into their groundwater, the contaminated water will be coming right into their home every time they turn on a tap or spigot.
Another common method of exposure is breathing contaminated air. This happens when the TCE or PCE --in a contaminated groundwater plume underneath a neighborhood—changes into a gas (vaporizes) and migrates up through the soil and into homes through cracks in the foundation. The contaminated air is then spread throughout the house by the home’s AC system. This process of chemicals in vapor form intruding into a home or other structure’s breathing space is called vapor intrusion.
Inhaling TCE or PCE vapors or drinking water contaminated with these chemicals can lead to some very serious health issues.
Scientific studies have linked PCE exposure to:
Vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women, face heightened risks of illness and developmental disorders.
People who have become ill as a result of toxic exposure deserve the chance to hold the polluter accountable and to be compensated for their suffering. That is what our environmental attorneys do. We make polluters take responsibility for their actions, secure compensation for victims, and demand clean air and water for communities.
Our environmental attorneys also seek compensation for the economic damages that our clients have suffered. For example:
The attorneys of Collins Law Group, P.C. have a long record of securing substantial recoveries in complex toxic tort and environmental contamination cases, including groundwater contamination, vapor intrusion, and toxic exposure claims involving carcinogenic industrial solvents such as TCE, PCE, and vinyl chloride. Representative results include:
During the litigation of the LeClercq case, it was discovered that the TCE contamination had migrated nearly two miles further to the south than was previously known. We filed a motion to certify a class of several hundred additional residents, which was granted. After significant discovery and motion practice, and the main defendant's seeking protection in the Delaware bankruptcy court, this case settled for defendants' agreement to fund the installation of vapor intrusion mitigation systems; the piping of clean water into those areas of the class that had depended on the contaminated groundwater; and some $18 million in compensation for loss of use and enjoyment of the class members' homes.
Lead counsel for the owners of more than 100 homes adjacent to a manufacturing facility, which, unknown to plaintiffs, had released large amounts of industrial solvent into the ground and groundwater for decades. Over time, the carcinogenic solvents (TCE, PCE, and vinyl chloride) migrated in shallow groundwater due east and settled under the homes in the adjacent neighborhood. These solvents vaporized and silently intruded in gas form into the breathing spaces of the overlying homes, where the residents unknowingly breathed the chemicals. Our work resulted in a settlement providing for the residents' homes being protected by vapor mitigation systems; a multi-million dollar cleanup of the contaminated groundwater; extensive testing for the carcinogenic solvents in the neighborhood; a guarantee to each resident of the uncontaminated value of the home; and some $18 million in cash compensation.
The groundwater beneath some 186 homes in Lisle, IL was contaminated with TCE dumped by a local machining shop and its chemical supplier. The contaminated groundwater had migrated to the community just south of the industrial facility, contaminating each home's water supply. When the contamination was discovered — due to our refusal to accept the polluter's and government's assurance that the TCE had not migrated to the nearby community — the case was filed and proceeded at a very rapid pace, as the residents needed to secure clean water. The case settled just before closing arguments were delivered to the jury. Defendants agreed to clean up the contamination; fund the infrastructure and hookup fees to a brand new, clean water supply; and pay $10 million to compensate the class members for the temporary loss of the use and enjoyment of their homes.
The Firm recovered over $8,000,000 for its clients in an environmental contamination case on behalf of families in Urbana, Ohio, whose groundwater was contaminated with TCE and PCE. We settled the case for $8.36 million, remediation of the contaminated area, and free hookups to clean water.
Collins Law Group represented 124 families in Attica, IN in a class action lawsuit against Kraft Foods. The lawsuit sought to secure remediation and protection against the carcinogenic chemicals (PCE and TCE) in the groundwater that threatened to contaminate homes with chemical vapors. The PCE contamination was caused by the owner of a local factory, which was later purchased by Kraft. The case settled when Kraft agreed to fund extensive cleanup of the contamination, including the installation of a large barrier preventing the contaminated groundwater from migrating off of factory property and into the class members' neighborhood. Kraft also paid more than $8 million in compensation to the homeowners.
Our client, unbeknownst to her and her family, was exposed to contaminated water in her family's home for many years during her childhood. She showered in, drank, and ate meals prepared with water contaminated with TCE dumped into the groundwater from a machining plant just blocks from her home. As a young adult, and just after she had earned her physician's license in Illinois, our client was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of blood cancer associated in scientific studies with exposure to TCE. After discovery, and after the main defendant sought the protection of a Delaware bankruptcy court, our client's case settled for $7.2 million.
The groundwater beneath a certified class of nearly 50 homes in Madison, WI was contaminated with PCE from a nearby manufacturer. The primary threat was vapor intrusion, because the contaminated groundwater was shallow, making it easy for the chemicals in vapor form to migrate upwards through soil and into the residents' homes. After protracted litigation, we secured a settlement that included cleanup of the contamination, including replacement of the soil in the class members' yards; the installation of vapor mitigation systems to prevent contaminated air from entering the homes; and compensation of some $7.1 million for temporary loss of use and enjoyment of property.
Precision Brand used trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) to clean metal parts at its facility. The company released large quantities of the chemicals, which migrated through the soil and into groundwater beneath the company's property, contaminating Belmont Highwood Water Service District community wells. These wells provided the water for our client's home. After 10 years of exposure to the toxic water, our client was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before her senior year of high school. We settled the case for $2.6 million.
If your life, health, or home have been threatened or damaged by TCE or PCE contamination, it is important to work with environmental attorneys who have the experience and know how to get the best results for their clients. We will not just stop at getting you compensation. We will fight to make corporations clean up the air you breathe, the water you drink and the soil you build your home on.
Contact The TCE and PCE lawyers at Collins Law Group as soon as possible at (630) 527-1595 if your family members are the victims of PCE and TCE contamination due to illegal disposal by a reckless corporation. We are ready to fight on your behalf.
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