Chicago, IL Man Dies from Mesothelioma

Chicago, IL news media recently reported on the death a man known as the “Picnic Permit King." Jim “Moose” Murphy died in February 2009 after a two year battle with mesothelioma.

Mr. Murphy was considered a minor legend in the Cook County area. From 1983-2002, he would set up camp on the street in order to be the first person to obtain a picnic permit from the Cook County Forest Preserve District.

Mr. Murphy, who was 59, fought mesothelioma for over two years. News articles announcing his death did not disclose how Mr. Murphy contracted the asbestos-related disease. Because of the decades-long latency period between exposure to the dangerous carcinogen and the discovery of an asbestos-related disease, it is possible Mr. Murphy was exposed to asbestos as a teenager or young adult.

Even limited exposure to asbestos is also known to cause serious lung diseases such as asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.

Weitz & Luxenberg is a leading plaintiffs' law firm that has represented people affected by mesothelioma for over 20 years. Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for their disease.

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