Alan’s Story

As a mechanic, Alan Bonnin faced almost a lifetime of asbestos exposure — but he never understood the health risks he could experience later on. After decades of exposure, he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and forced into an early retirement.

In his fight against this devastating illness, Alan chose to work with a mesothelioma law firm and seek compensation to ensure his family would be financially secure for years to come.

Auto mechanic at work

A Life Built on Hard Work and Family

Throughout his life, Alan has always been a hard worker dedicated to providing for his family, including his wife Connie and their children.

The couple first met when a mutual friend invited Alan to a game night at Connie’s house, and he soon realized he had found the person he would marry.

“Her mother was the one that answered the door, and seeing her walk in from the other room, the first time we ever met, is probably my favorite memory,” said Alan.

The couple married shortly after and went on to have four sons. Three of the boys have autism, and Connie stayed at their home in Tennessee to care for and homeschool the children while Alan worked as an auto mechanic to provide for the family.

“There were times he was working 16 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Connie. “And it was always so we could enjoy ourselves later on, the vacations we would eventually take, and all those little dreams we had been looking forward to.”

The Bonnins found joy and happiness in every day together, and as their kids grew up, Alan continued to work hard and save for the future.

However, Alan was unaware that the asbestos exposure he faced on the job would upend his life and alter the life that he and Connie had dreamed of together.

Decades of Asbestos Exposure

When Alan was just a child, his father later switched jobs to work as a mechanic. As Alan grew older, he began helping his dad in his free time. While assisting, asbestos from the brake linings would often fill the air.

Eventually, Alan went on to join the U.S. Army. After his service, Alan went back to working on brakes before joining a factory as a maintenance man.

Although he knew this mineral was present in brakes and other parts, he didn’t realize just how dangerous it could be at the time.

“I never thought I would be affected by something like mesothelioma,” recalled Alan. “It never occurred to me that I even was exposed, until I was diagnosed.”

A Life-Changing Mesothelioma Diagnosis

As Alan continued working, he began to struggle with fluid buildup in his lungs, which doctors initially attributed to less serious causes. They drained the fluid repeatedly, but everything changed when one of his lungs collapsed, requiring immediate surgery.

“When I woke up from surgery, the surgeon came in to talk to us, and he told us that there was atypical tissue that they were sending off,” said Alan. “Then he started asking us about asbestos.”

When the official diagnosis came back, the surgeon’s suspicions were confirmed. Alan had pleural mesothelioma — and the cancer was already in an advanced stage.

“With mesothelioma, they save stage 4 for if it spreads to different organs. However, it will still ravage the body before it does that, and cause death. So, even though he is being torn up by this, it’s only considered stage 3B,” explained Connie.

In an instant, the family’s entire world was turned upside down, and they struggled to accept Alan’s terminal mesothelioma diagnosis.

“He was let go from his work. He couldn’t work like that anymore,” said Connie. “Suddenly, we all became different levels of caregivers.”

Alan’s decline was swift, and at one point, he stayed at a rehab center for treatment. Unfortunately, he wasn’t treated properly and was left with wounds that went to his spine. From then on, Connie and their youngest son committed to caring for him at home.

A Life-Changing Mesothelioma Diagnosis background image

Choosing to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A month after receiving his diagnosis, Alan and Connie’s friends reached out to them about filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against the asbestos companies responsible for his illness.

The couple quickly realized that facing mesothelioma meant far more than fighting a disease — they also had to confront enormous financial burdens and an uncertain future.

“It’s very possible that you may need settlements from lawsuits just to survive,” said Alan. “If you’re 50 and all of a sudden you’re retired, you don’t have a 401(k) that’s built up enough to retire on. You’re not going to have the means to live comfortably with this diagnosis.”

After getting sick, one of Alan’s main priorities was making sure his wife and kids would be taken care of.

In addition to financial concerns, Alan and Connie also wanted to seek justice by holding negligent asbestos companies accountable.

“These companies that used asbestos, they’re heartless. They care about nothing but the almighty dollar. We just want our dignity back, our lives,” said Connie.

By filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, the Bonnins hoped to secure the financial support they needed for Alan’s treatment and shine a light on the dangers of asbestos exposure to help other families like theirs.

“Alan is the victim of this physically, mentally, and spiritually, but I’m also a victim there with him because this changes everybody’s life involved,” said Connie. “Mesothelioma is a thief and opponent of our entire family.”

Alan and Constance Bonnin, firm mesothelioma clients

Affording Health Care & Daily Living Expenses

The Bonnins’ legal team was able to secure mesothelioma settlements on the family’s behalf, allowing them to receive compensation without going through a trial.

This money provided the couple with financial relief during one of the most difficult times of their lives. With Alan no longer able to work and medical bills piling up, they were often faced with the challenge of making ends meet.

“At one point, we didn’t know where our next meal would come from,” said Connie. “When the first check came in, I can remember how relieved I was. We didn’t have to worry about accepting money from our youngest child to make sure we could pick up our medicines.”

Beyond these immediate expenses, the funds from Alan’s asbestos claims gave him a renewed sense of security and helped him plan for his family’s future.

“One of the things we’ve always worried about, because we have autistic children, is how are they going to survive on their own? We’ve done everything we can to try and provide a strong footing for all of them to stand on,” explained Alan. “The results of the lawsuits have made an incredible difference.”

Alan was also able to get help affording medical equipment that insurance wouldn’t pay for, which made his daily life more manageable.

“Insurance would only pay for either a walker or a wheelchair, but not both,” said Connie. “So there are expenses you don’t even consider that you’ll have during this process that won’t be covered for you, even if you have insurance.”

The Simmons Hanly Conroy Difference

At Simmons Hanly Conroy, our mesothelioma lawyers understand how deeply this cancer can affect every aspect of a family’s life.

Attorney Brett Fuller traveled to meet Alan and Connie, quickly building a strong relationship with the couple. Because they had never filed a lawsuit before, Brett took the time to explain the legal process and walk them through what his team would do for them.

“They were able to take the reins for us, because we were lost,” said Connie. “It’s devastating enough to hear that your spouse is fighting a terminal condition. If all the legalities were put on us as well, we would be in ruin by now, and I probably wouldn’t have my husband sitting here.”

Our asbestos lawyers can handle every step of the process for you, from proving your asbestos exposure to negotiating settlements with the companies responsible. This way, you can focus on your health and spending time with loved ones.

“I didn’t do much other than pick up a telephone. Beyond that, they took care of everything,” said Alan. “They knew what needed to be done, and I didn’t. I had to sign some papers, read stuff, sign it, and that was about it.”

As the family got to know their legal team, they were grateful for the empathy and understanding shown by their attorneys — especially since some had had their own personal experiences with mesothelioma and truly grasped the emotional toll.

“Simmons Hanly Conroy is not just a company looking to make money off of your suffering. We’ve got enough of that in the world. They legitimately care, and they have people who have gone through this with their family members,” expressed Connie.

The Simmons Hanly Conroy Difference background image

Support for Families Impacted by Mesothelioma

As a leading national asbestos law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy can help families in all 50 states after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

“Mesothelioma isn’t a disease to carry alone, and you have trouble carrying it even as a family,” said Connie. “Accept outside help and look for support groups. If you can, get a therapist. You’re going to need every tool in your arsenal to battle against this disease.”

With over 25 years of experience and more than $9.8 billion recovered in mesothelioma compensation, we have what it takes to fight for the justice you deserve.

Call (800) 326-8900 now if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our team is standing by 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.

Simmons Support Team
Simmons Hanly ConroyWritten by:

Editorial Team

The 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.