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Jessica’s Story
At the age of just 32 years old, Jessica Blackford-Cleeton was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-caused cancer in the lining of her abdominal cavity.
Determined to fight the disease, Jessica filed a mesothelioma lawsuit and secured the compensation she needed to afford life-extending treatment.
Now, nearly 10 years later, she continues to embrace life and is raising a family she once feared she’d never have.
The Fight for Answers
For over a year, Jessica knew that something was wrong — but her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed.
“I was having pretty severe stomach pains,” she said. “It was just written off as menstrual pain, abdominal issues, or gastrointestinal issues. I heard anxiety many times.”
Desperate for answers, she had an ultrasound, but the results came back normal. Refusing to give up, Jessica underwent a CT scan, which finally revealed that something was wrong. She insisted on getting a biopsy to find out what was causing her symptoms.
During the procedure, doctors discovered the true extent of her condition. “It was all over my abdominal cavity, many hundreds, even thousands, of tumors,” she explained. “They had never seen anything like it.”
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
A few weeks after her biopsy was sent to Cleveland Clinic, Jessica was officially diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen.
“When we got the diagnosis of mesothelioma, it was out of nowhere. The doctor was shocked, I was shocked, everyone was shocked,” she recalled. “Right away, the doctor said, ‘I’ve never seen this before, and I’ll probably never see it again. We need to get to a specialist.’”
Jessica knew that she couldn’t get mesothelioma without having been exposed to asbestos.
Countless workers and bystanders come into contact with the toxic mineral and unknowingly bring the dangerous fibers home on their uniforms, putting their loved ones at risk.
“Protective equipment should’ve been used, and there should’ve been processes in place to wash up after work and dispose of contaminated clothing,” said Brandon, Jessica’s husband. “Simple measures could’ve been taken to avoid catastrophic, life-changing conditions down the road.”
Although they were newly married, Brandon quickly stepped into the role of Jessica’s primary caregiver. Despite the unknowns that lay ahead, the young couple was committed to building a future together.
Seeking Treatment & Starting a Family
In September 2015, Jessica prepared to undergo a major procedure called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) that combines surgery with chemotherapy.
With HIPEC, the doctor removes the cancerous tumors and applies heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity to target any remaining cancer cells.
Before surgery, Jessica told her doctor about her dream of becoming a mother. Sadly, she was told the odds of her ever getting pregnant were very small. The cancer had spread so vastly and was surrounding both of her ovaries.
Fortunately, Jessica’s medical team was also able to preserve her fertility options. She and Brandon went on to have two beautiful boys, fulfilling her dream of motherhood.
“I don’t know what it’s like to be a mom without cancer in my life, and he doesn’t know what it’s like to be a dad without a wife who has cancer, so it’s just our normal,” Jessica said. “There are days when it’s not easy, but we get through it and do our best.”
Deciding to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
After learning that asbestos companies knew their products were dangerous but hid the risks to protect their profits, Jessica and Brandon chose to take legal action. They contacted a mesothelioma law firm for help.
“We filed a mesothelioma lawsuit, first and foremost, because those companies need to pay for what they’ve done,” said Jessica.
In addition to holding these companies accountable, the couple recognized that the financial burden of Jessica’s illness was significant.
“It’s expensive being sick, especially with this disease,” said Jessica. “You’re going to be traveling to specialists, you’re going to be using a lot of your monetary resources for that, and health care is expensive.”
Their legal team worked hard to secure mesothelioma settlements on their behalf, which provided the family with much-needed financial relief — especially because Jessica was no longer able to work after she got sick.
“I worked a lot and traveled often for my job, but I never went back to work because of the extensive treatments I’ve had,” she explained.
The compensation that Jessica and Brandon received from their mesothelioma lawsuit allowed them to breathe a little easier. They were able to focus on Jessica’s treatments and spending time with family, instead of how to pay for her medical bills.
Working with Simmons Hanly Conroy
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we handle every step of the legal process for our clients, so they can focus on their health and spending time with loved ones.
“My concern was making sure I had a good doctor and a plan moving forward,” said Jessica. “We didn’t really have to think about the legal process much. Our mesothelioma lawyer took over that part and made sure the companies were held accountable for what they’d done.”
Our team understands how mesothelioma impacts patients and their loved ones. That’s why we prioritize each client’s well-being and strive to make litigation as stress-free as possible.
“The firm was just easy to work with, and they made everything simple,” she explained. “They said many times that your health comes first. They worked around me as I was going through treatment. It was just an easy process, but they were also quick.”
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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.