Fred’s Story

Winfred “Fred” Crosby was exposed to asbestos in car parts and while working on military jet engines. Decades later, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer known as pleural mesothelioma.

Before Fred passed away, he filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against the asbestos companies responsible for his exposure. The settlements he received brought him peace of mind, knowing his family would be financially secure after he was gone.

Growing up, Fred loved to work on old cars, and his passion for mechanics stayed with him into adulthood. When he was 18 years old, Fred joined the U.S. Air Force and put his skills to use by servicing B-52 planes.

A few years later, he married his high school sweetheart Anita. The pair eloped and went on to raise three kids together on a farm in South Carolina.

During this time, Fred became a pillar of his community. He spent 30 years teaching and coaching at local schools, served as a deacon at the family’s Baptist church, and refurbished classic cars for shows.

“Dad was a gearhead. He even rebuilt a six-cylinder engine on an old ’41 Chevy. You can still go out there today, crank it up, and drive it around the block,” said Mike, Fred’s son.

After Fred retired, he developed what he assumed were chronic allergies. His cough and congestion worsened over the next 6 months, and he began searching for answers — but nobody was prepared for the diagnosis he received.

After his symptoms worsened, Fred suspected he might have pneumonia. However, after a lung X-ray at urgent care revealed spots on his lungs, his doctor ordered more tests. Eventually, a thoracic surgeon determined he had pleural mesothelioma.

“It was a complicated diagnosis,” said Mike. “You would think doctors could spot something as serious as mesothelioma on the first visit, but it didn’t work out that way. This cancer was apparently lurking in the background for some time before those pneumonia-like symptoms.”

Looking back, the family realized there had been early mesothelioma symptoms years prior, including Fred’s shortness of breath when walking around the yard, growing difficulty with tasks like baling hay, and a gradual loss of energy.

Fred’s doctor gave him just 6 months to live. The family was devastated, but they rallied around him and began to learn everything they could about his diagnosis.

“My first step was to Google mesothelioma,” said Mike. “I started thinking about Dad’s time in the military and how he might’ve come in contact with asbestos as a jet engine mechanic. It was scary learning about asbestos and mesothelioma because, for handyman types, a lot of us have had some exposures.”

Fred began treatment in order to have more time with his loved ones. During this period, he drew strength from the support of his community and his unwavering faith.

“He was a Christian,” explained Mike. “He knew where he was going, and he knew his soul was in good shape, and that he was going to heaven.”

Fred’s world — and his entire family’s world — was turned upside down after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Yet true to his selfless nature, his first thoughts were about those he would leave behind.

“He didn’t fret so much about dying, but he did fret that first couple of months about who was going to take care of Mom, who was going to take care of the place, and who was going to take care of all the things that had to be repaired on the farm,” said Mike.

Determined to secure his family’s financial future, Fred decided to pursue mesothelioma compensation by taking legal action.

The Crosbys quickly realized they didn’t have the time or energy to file a lawsuit on their own. They reached out to our mesothelioma law firm for help navigating the legal process and seeking justice.

When Fred was exposed to asbestos decades earlier, no one had warned him about the dangers of this mineral. However, many companies that made and sold asbestos products knew they were dangerous but hid the risks to protect their profits.

“The impact that mesothelioma has is tremendously painful to watch,” said Terri, Fred’s daughter. “I think companies that were aware there was asbestos in their products but allowed people to be exposed should be held accountable.”

When looking for a mesothelioma lawyer, the Crosbys wanted to find someone who had experience handling asbestos claims and a history of securing results for families like theirs.

Soon after contacting our firm, Attorney Mike Hibey flew to South Carolina to meet the family in person. He quickly developed a relationship with Fred and helped determine which asbestos companies were responsible for his illness.

“We wanted to make sure Dad’s suffering wasn’t for nothing and that Mom would be taken care of,” said Terri. “We talked to quite a few law firms and were most comfortable with Simmons Hanly Conroy. They were a big company, but they just seemed more down-to-earth.”

Attorney Hibey took the time to explain all of Fred’s legal options, including asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma lawsuits. He worked to pursue compensation from every available avenue, so the family could get the money they deserved.

“The legal team made it easy for us because they handled everything,” expressed Terri. “Our attorney was also very easy to communicate with — he was always a text or phone call away if we had any questions, and he was also very good with Dad.”

Mesothelioma settlements can’t undo the pain of a diagnosis, but for families like the Crosbys, they can offer financial support and a sense of closure during an incredibly difficult time.

The couple planned to use the compensation they received from a lawsuit for Fred’s medical bills and other treatment-related expenses.

“When we first got our first check from this process, it was amazing,” recalled Anita, Fred’s wife. “I had no idea if we would even get anything, but it was a blessing that we got some money from this process. I think it made Fred really happy too.”

Fred lived long enough to know his family would be okay. He passed away at the age of 81, two years after his diagnosis.

“Without the law firm helping us, we would’ve been lost,” said Mike. “Dad had peace of mind after getting the money, which allowed him to have some comfort and focus on his treatments. That was truly a blessing for him.”