MEET OUR CLIENTS: Jim» More Client Stories

Veteran battles mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos as a Navy ship mechanic

Jim was proud of his service to his country and the time he spent in the U.S. Navy. But like many proud Americans, he always felt he should have been warned about the dangers of asbestos.

Texas resident Jim was exposed to asbestos while working as a navy mechanic on the USS Independence, USS Truckee and USS Vulcan from 1973 to 1993. His job required expertise on the machinery in the ships’ engine and boiler rooms. If the ship didn’t run, it was his fault.  Asbestos was used to insulate the pipe values, gaskets and other machinery he worked with on a daily basis for more than twenty years.

Doctors told Jim he had mesothelioma in May 2009, after he visited a Houston hospital with respiratory difficulties. The disease was so advanced the doctors ruled out surgery. He was given months to live. Eighteen months later, Jim celebrated his 57^th birthday in October, along with his wife Peggy.

When Randy Cohn was assigned Jim’s case, the couple was struggling financially. Not only were they grappling with the doctors verdict of “no chance of survival, but they were also in significant debt because of doctors bills and their mortgage. Jim was not old enough to qualify for Medicare, Society Security, and, at that time, had not received disability.

Randy and his team acted quickly, and within months Jim and Peggy received a settlement that helped pay off their mortgage.

Ultimately, Randy and his team were able to help secure financial security for Jim’s family. “Our firm and our lawyers, we’re more than just an attorney-client relationship. The client puts his or her family’s future in our hands,” Randy said.

Jim passed away on Nov. 20, 2010. “It was never been a pity party for him,” Randy said. Jim was proud of his service to his country and the time he spent in the U.S. Navy. But like many proud Americans, he always felt he should have been warned about the dangers of asbestos.

Peggy recently said she doesn’t know what made her choose a firm that was so far away when there were plenty of others to choose from. But she is glad she did. 

* Please note that recovery results vary per client. The recovery amounts in each case reflect the specific facts of that case. Further, recovery amounts in past cases are not a guarantee of future results.