About our Team
Terrence M. Johnson, Esq.
Terry Johnson has been representing union men and women who have been catastrophically injured from exposure to asbestos since 1983.
During the summer of 1983 Terry met Ed Krull, a Chicago Asbestos Worker who had been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. Terry met Ed through Ed's son, Tom, when Terry was volunteering as a boxing referee for the Chicago Park District. Tom was one of the boxing coordinators for the Park District. Less than six months later, Terry filed a lawsuit on Ed's behalf in Federal District Court in Chicago. Because of Ed's failing health, Terry also requested - - and received - - an accelerated trial date. With a trial team of Ron Motley, Tom Hart and Terry Johnson, jury selection began in April of 1985. Minutes before opening statements were to begin at trial, the asbestos manufacturers met the family's settlement demands and settled the first asbestos workers case brought to trial in Federal Court in Chicago.
Shortly thereafter, the leadership of the Chicago Asbestos Workers asked Terry if he would coordinate a medical screening for their membership. For successive weekends from February to April 1986, Terry guided over 600 Chicago Asbestos Workers and their spouses through a screening at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The screening detected early-stage cancer in some members, while a significant number of Local 17 members over the age of 50 were diagnosed with asbestos-related lung disease. Many of the members' wives were also shown to have asbestos-related lung disease just from exposure to asbestos dust in washing their husband's work clothes over the years.
Terry was later asked to represent members of various building trade unions who similarly suffered from asbestos disease: Pipefitters, Boilermakers, Sheetmetal Workers, and Electricians to name a few. He would also come to represent Chicago school teachers and even a prominent Chicago architect who contracted mesothelioma from being exposed to asbestos in schools. As his asbestos practice continued to grow, Terry teamed up with other trial counsel to create a core group of experienced trial lawyers who would assist in bringing mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis cases to verdict or settlement. These team members include the following: Colleen Hickey, Tom Brennan, Gina Pallafox, Paul McCarthy, Pat Bradley, Kevin Conway, Neal O'Connor, Todd Carcelli, Requel Gibson, and Rich Murphy, to name a few.
Case Studies
The following are some of the major cases and accomplishments of Terry and his team of trial lawyers in Chicago Asbestos Litigation:
Ed Krull v. Keene Corp. et al, No. 83 C 9635,
Federal District Court, Chicago
This was the first Asbestos Workers case to go to trial in Federal Court in Chicago.
This mesothelioma case was also the first in Chicago to introduce asbestos fiber
analysis from a post mortem exam to prove occupational exposure to asbestos.
Local 17, Chicago, Asbestos Workers Medical Screening:
Organized Asbestos Medical Screening for 494 members and 117 spouses
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
February to April 1986
This was a groundbreaking medical screening for the largest Asbestos Workers Local in the United States. Based on the data from this screening, a peer-reviewed medical article was published regarding the spouses that were diagnosed with asbestos-related disease.
To read the medical article written about the Chicago Asbestos Workers Medical Screening, click on Asbestos Screening Article.
Dick Gaylord v. Keene Corp. et al, No. 86 C 4524,
Federal District Court, Chicago
This was the first jury verdict entered in favor of an Asbestos Worker
in Federal District Court in Chicago. This case involved asbestos-induced lung
cancer. Asbestos fiber analysis of lung tissue was also used in this case to prove
that the lung cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos.
Troy Barnes v. Keene Corp. et al, No. 88 C 3223,
Federal District Court, Springfield, Illinois
This mesothelioma case of a Local 17 Asbestos Worker who worked in Springfield
ended in a successful verdict for the plaintiff. This case was the first Illinois
case ever to admit an ex-parte, video-taped dying declaration in an asbestos
case.
Ed Grant v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., et al., No. 83 L 12440,
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Ed Grant's case was the first asbestos case in Chicago to seek damages from a
"fear of cancer" claim. Psychological testimony was introduced at trial which
prompted a beneficial settlement. This case was also the first in Chicago to demand
and receive a "cancer waiver," which allowed Ed to return to court if he later
contracted an asbestos-induced cancer. Ultimately, 14 years later, Ed did contract
asbestos-induced lung cancer and was able to file a subsequent claim.
Bob Sullivan v. Armstrong World Industries. et al, No. 86 L 07256,
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Attorneys Pat Bradley, Tom Hart, and Terry Johnson brought this case to trial.
Bob had an advanced case of asbestosis that was only detected with advanced
CT scans. A diffuse pleural thickening (as thick as an orange rind) had masked the
asbestosis or scarring on the inside of the lung from a routine chest x-ray.
This case was the first in Chicago to place the primacy of High Resolution
CT Scans (HRCT) in the diagnosis of asbestosis.
Cornelius Mulligan and 187 Asbestos Workers v. Owens Corning et al., 87 L 27415,
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
This case established the Deferred Asbestos Docket in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Connie Mulligan was the son of Hugh Mulligan, long-time head of the Chicago
Asbestos Workers union. As Terry's client, Connie - - along with 187 other
Asbestos Workers - - consented to have his non-malignant case placed on a
"Deferred Asbestos Docket." This docket would insure that a worker would
not be forced to trial before the full extent of his asbestos-related injury became
apparent. The petition to establish a Deferred Asbestos Docket was joined by
Kevin Conway of Cooney and Conway, and numerous asbestos defendants.
Jack Healy v. Armstrong World Industries, et al, No. 83 L 21031,
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Pat Bradley and Terry Johnson tried Jack Healy's asbestos case to verdict.
This was the first case in Chicago to award punitive damages against Owens Corning.
A computer-generated, 3-D lung model was introduced at trial - - a first in Chicago
courts - - made from HRCT scans. The jury assessed a punitive award of $1,000,000,
which was another "first" in Chicago.
In re: Consolidated 6 Mesothelioma Cases v. Owens Corning, et al., No. 93 L 1412
Veronica O'Shea, Mark Cunningham, Sr., Thomas J. Daly,
Lou Georgopoulos, Rich Nelson, and Rich Staack
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
This was the first case in Chicago to consolidate 6 mesothelioma cases for a single
trial. It set the stage to force the defendants to offer a true "group settlement"
with the consent of 13 other of Terry's asbestos clients. Thus, one consolidated
case of mesothelioma clients forced the resolution of many other individual cases
that would not otherwise have been able to timely settle.
Total Group Settlement: $15.2 million.
In re: Consolidated 5 Asbestosis Cases, v. Owens Corning, No. 98 L 3852,
Mike Lavin, Bill Lindsey, John Conlon, Gene Heavlin, Vern Sias
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
In a similar way, this was the first group settlement of serious asbestosis cases
in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (Chicago). The 5 consolidated cases,
seeking compensatory and punitive damages, were able to force a timely settlement
of 195 other cases.
Total Group Settlement: $21.3 million.
Ken Fowler v. Pittsburgh-Corning, No. 88 L 22721
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Terry Johnson and Pat Bradley tried this asbestosis case to verdict. The trial of this
Chicago Asbestos Worker resulted in the largest verdict ever entered against Pittsburgh
Corning Corporation in Chicago for advanced asbestosis. A few weeks after the trial,
Pittsburgh Corning filed for bankruptcy. Because of this $3.4 million judgment, the
estate of Mr. Fowler was one of the largest asbestos creditors of Pittsburgh Corning.
As a result of the size of the verdict, Terry was placed on the Asbestos Creditors
Committee. Unfortunately, 10 years after the Fowler verdict, this multi-billion-dollar
bankruptcy has still not been finalized for thousands of asbestos victims.
Ray Pigozzi v. U.S. Gypsum et al., No. 98 L 04457 (Chicago Architect - Mesothelioma)
Joe McCarthy v. U.S. Gypsum et al., (Chicago School Teacher - Mesothelioma)
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
The cases of Ray Pigozzi and Joe McCarthy proceeded to trial on the same date.
Ray was a celebrated Chicago architect whose firm, OWP&P, had over 200 professionals
on staff. Ray was exposed to asbestos from his work in designing and constructing
schools in and around Chicago from the 1950's through the 1970's. Joe, on the other
hand, was a school teacher who was exposed to asbestos in Chicago inner-city schools
during the 1960's. Both Ray and Joe contracted mesothelioma, a cancer only caused
by exposure to asbestos. Because of their unique market share in selling asbestos to
schools, U.S. Gypsum was the target defendant in both of these cases.
Pittsburgh Corning Bankruptcy, No. 00-22876,
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
Terry was Appointed to the Asbestos Creditors Committee, 2000 to present.
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators, Consultant to General President Jim Grogan and International Vice President Terry Lynch
Re: Proposed National Asbestos Legislation
The F.A.I.R. Act of 2006 (Fairness in Asbestos Injury Recovery)
Re: Early Detection Screening of Lung Cancer
and Establishment of Asbestos Tissue Bank
Ricky Cramer v. Borg-Warner Corp., et al., No. 08 L 00928
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Terry and his staff compiled a comprehensive history of Ricky's asbestos exposure
while he worked as a young man in a Borg-Warner plant making asbestos brake pads and
clutch assemblies. With the settlement team of Kevin Conway and his firm, Cooney
and Conway, this case received a record award from a brake manufacturer.
Marty Crinion v. Rapid American Corp., et al., No. 10 L 06730
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Marty Crinion, a former U.S. Marine boxer, was a Local 17, Chicago, Asbestos Worker
just like his father and his older brother John. Marty developed mesothelioma from
exposures to asbestos he had growing up in the house of an asbestos worker and from
his own work exposure before and after the 1970's.
Our Team:
Terry Johnson was born in Chicago and attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. He attended the University of Notre Dame for college, and later received a JD/MBA from the Notre Dame Law School and Notre Dame's Graduate Division, College of Business Administration. During his undergraduate years, Terry boxed in the Notre Dame Bengal Bouts and later became a Boxing Coach/Referee at the University. Following a stint with VISTA counseling not-for-profits at the Lawndale Office of the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, Terry joined the Litigation Department of Baker & McKenzie's Chicago Office. After five years of Litigation and trial work there, he began his own firm in June of 1983.
Representing union men and women in asbestos litigation or other casualty litigation remains the focus of the firm's practice.
Terry remains active as a volunteer coach and official of the Notre Dame Bengal Bouts, and is an avid handball player. He resides in the Chicago area with his wife Margi and their six children.
P.S. Along the way in 1983 , Terry started a Chicago maritime company with fellow law classmate Paul McCarthy. Today, Chicago Line Cruises conducts Architectural and Historical Cruises from North Pier Chicago - - so on his "time off" you may catch him around the boats. Clients have been known to have attorney-client "privileged" meetings with Terry during a nice summer day's cruise!
Bob Hanrahan
Because of their work together at Baker & McKenzie's litigation department in the 1970's
and 1980's, Terry Johnson invited Bob Hanrahan to join his trial team as a full-time member
in 1996. Since that time, Bob has helped prepare every single asbestos case in the office
as it approaches trial or settlement. Bob's first priority for new clients is to make sure they
are receiving the best of medical care. He coordinates our clients' medical assessment
and treatment with physicians at the University of Chicago Medical Center and Northwestern
University Medical Center. In addition, Bob's investigative skills permit him to complete a
detailed occupational history of asbestos exposure, which is critical to putting a client's
best foot forward. On many days, Bob is in the office by 7 a.m. and may still be there at 7 p.m.
Bob has over 30 years of work experience as a private investigator in personal injury, product liability and tort litigation. After taking over the investigation company founded by his father, Bob grew his client base to include major law firms, insurance companies, businesses and individuals throughout the Midwest. He has interviewed over 10,000 witnesses including Fortune 100 executives, government officials, medical professionals, as well as individuals.
Bob has contributed to some of the most publicized settlements and verdicts in Illinois history. He has assisted attorneys in obtaining more than $200 million dollars in settlements or verdicts for their clients. In addition, he has documented and photographed hundreds of industrial accident scenes.
Bob received his B.A. in Business Administration from Western Illinois University in 1980. He is a licensed private detective registered with the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulations.
