Cordova Cancer Cases May Be Linked To Forever Chemicals

Wrongful Death - February 22, 2025

Illinois State Sued 3M For Allegedly Polluting Water Source With Forever Chemicals Near Cordova, Illinois

Cordova Cancer Cases May Be Linked To Forever Chemicals

CORDOVA, ILLINOIS (February 22, 2025) – A number of cancer cases in the town of Cordova have led some to question whether the illnesses are linked to a nearby 3M plant.

The Illinois attorney general has filed a lawsuit against 3M for improperly disposing of dangerous chemicals over several years. The chemicals that were dumped are commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals.’

Many residents from the small town in Illinois have said that they’ve witnessed a sharp rise in cancer cases. Some of the people who were diagnosed did not have a history of cancer in their own family.

According to the lawsuit by the Illinois attorney general, 3M acted negligently and took actions that contaminated property and natural resources. Samples from June 2020 showed that a monitoring well by the plant had high levels of forever chemicals.

Liability for Illnesses Caused by Forever Chemicals

Forever chemicals are linked to a number of very serious illnesses. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “a number of studies have linked PFAS to cancers, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, liver damage, asthma, allergies, and reduced vaccine response in children. PFAS have also been linked with decreased fertility, newborn deaths, low birthweight, birth defects, and delayed development.” There are a number of sources that could lead to exposure to forever chemicals.

  • Food packaging
  • Firefighting foam
  • Carpet and Upholstery
  • Industrial discharge

Companies like 3M have a legal obligation to avoid harming the public with their products. They must abide by safety regulations for properly disposing of chemicals. Companies are not allowed to simply dump chemicals wherever they like. They have to be mindful of the possibility that these chemicals could seep into water sources and seriously harm many people. If a company failed to properly dispose of chemicals and this caused cancers or other injuries, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after exposure to forever chemicals.

  • The source of the exposure should be determined.
  • Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation.
  • Medical records related to the exposure should be collected.
  • An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.

It can be hard to know where to begin if you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer after being exposed to forever chemicals. These illnesses often leave victims with extensive medical bills and uncertain futures. To make matters worse, the companies responsible for the exposure often deny all responsibility. This is why it is so important for victims to seek the guidance of an experienced attorney early on. Any person who sustained an illness linked to forever chemicals may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help for Illnesses Linked to Forever Chemicals

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people who may have been impacted by forever chemicals from 3M. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the scope of the exposure. Any person that may have more information should reach out to investigators.

Have you or someone that you care about in Cordova been diagnosed with cancer or another illness linked to forever chemicals? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.