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Sid’s Story
Charles “Sid” T. is a selfless, hardworking, caring husband and father. He worked difficult, dirty construction jobs to provide for his family and model hard work for his sons.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Sid worked construction throughout the South, primarily in Florida, before returning home to Jackson, Mississippi, where he currently resides with his family.
A Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosis During COVID-19
After his retirement, Sid continued to care for his family and teach his children and grandchildren the importance of selflessness and love.
Sid was the backbone of a thriving family unit that he helped nurture with his values. He was the primary caregiver for his mother-in-law, assumed a large role in the household to care for his wife, and spent time partaking in hobbies he shared with his children and grandchildren.
But in 2019, Sid developed a wheezing cough that just wouldn’t go away. Within weeks, he was diagnosed with stage 3 pleural mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Shortly after his diagnosis, COVID-19 struck, putting the entire world on hold. All of a sudden, Sid was not able to participate in the daily lives of his family members — including his mother-in-law who relied on him for care.
Sid soon became too sick and weak to cook and clean or handle household chores like he usually would. His life became limited by the pandemic and his disease, which was the result of being exposed to asbestos decades earlier.
A History of Occupational Asbestos Exposure
Because asbestos is a versatile material, it was often used in various building, manufacturing, and commercial applications.
As a construction worker, Sid suffered exposure to asbestos-containing products many times over the course of several jobs.
In the summer of 1969, Sid worked for two months as a laborer at Avondale Shipyard. In the shipyard and aboard ships under construction, Sid was exposed to asbestos from insulation and other materials.
From there, Sid then began a lengthy career in construction.
As a construction worker primarily in Florida in the 1970s, Sid was exposed to asbestos-containing ceiling spray, joint compound, stucco, floor tile, ceiling tile, roofing materials and more.
“It was hard work, but I did it for my family. I wanted them to have everything they needed,” Sid said.
All of this work exposed Sid to asbestos dust. Once asbestos dust is inhaled, fibers can travel to the lining of the lungs and get stuck there.
Slowly over time, they can cause inflammation, scarring and other health problems like mesothelioma.
Finding the Strength to Fight Back
After his mesothelioma diagnosis, Sid still thought first and foremost about his family. He wanted them to have everything they’d need should anything happen to him.
Although Sid was struggling with his health, he found the strength to fight back — he reached out to Simmons Hanly Conroy for help. After meeting with Sid, Partner Melissa Crowe Schopfer and her team began building his case.
“Sid is the sweetest man,” said Kelley Hotz, an asbestos paralegal with the firm. “He always went out of his way to help me and show me kindness in our interactions.”
In May 2020, Sid and his wife gave their depositions for the case. Later that month, doctors removed the pleura, or lining between the lung and the wall of the chest, from his right lung.
After surgery and treatment, Sid’s medical bills began to stack up. Because of the pandemic, however, the court date for Sid’s case was pushed back again and again.
Securing Life-Changing Results and a Plot of Land
Thanks to our firm’s hard work, Sid’s case was resolved with mesothelioma settlements before going to trial. He never had to worry about the legal process because he had an entire legal team working hard on his behalf. This allowed him to focus on what was important — his family and his health.
“Sid is one of the most hard-working and giving people I’ve ever met,” Partner Michael Hibey said. “I’m so glad we could get him the compensation he deserved. No one should have to pay for their hard work with a life-threatening illness.”
With some of the mesothelioma financial compensation from the case, Sid was able to buy a piece of land for his family, a property he hopes his family will enjoy for generations.
Although Sid still struggles with his health, his illness makes it difficult for him to care for his family and spend time with them.
“I would not wish this disease on anyone,” Sid said. “But I know I have shown my family how to face this thing head on, and I am proud to have our family together. It feels good to know I could take care of my family like that.”
Get Help Seeking Justice for Asbestos Exposure
As one of the nation’s leading mesothelioma law firms, Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to helping mesothelioma patients and their families hold the companies that harmed them accountable.
Over the last 20+ years, our asbestos lawyers have helped thousands of clients across the country get the justice and results they deserve.
We’ve recovered more than $9.3 billion on their behalf — and our clients pay no out-of-pocket costs.
Get a free legal consultation or call (800) 326-8900 now to learn more about your legal options and how we can help. Our team’s available 24/7, and there’s no cost to speak with us.
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Written by:Simmons Hanly ConroyThe Simmons Hanly Conroy Editorial Team consists of journalists, writers and editors who strive to deliver accurate and useful information to families needing legal help. Our team works alongside the firm's attorneys and partners, as well as with medical professionals and other specialists, to keep all information relevant and helpful.