Jose’s Story

Jose met his wife Alicia in Mexico City when they were 14 years old. As the couple built their life together and started a family, he put aside his dreams of becoming an artist and began working as a roofer.

When Jose was diagnosed with mesothelioma, he learned his cancer had been caused by exposure to asbestos on the job. Before he passed away, Jose worked with our mesothelioma law firm to seek justice.

At a very young age, Jose discovered his talent for painting. Despite having no formal training, he had a natural gift for bringing vibrant scenes to life with every brushstroke.

His oil paintings were often inspired by the Aztecs and the colors of Teotihuacan, a place he visited many times in search of inspiration. However, life took him in another direction as his responsibilities shifted.

“The family started to grow, and he had to give up on art,” explained Alicia. “But whenever he was home, he would paint in his spare time. He was so passionate about painting.”

When Jose received a job opportunity with a construction crew in Los Angeles, he took it in hopes of building a better life for his loved ones.

At the time, he had no idea that the materials he handled every day contained asbestos — or that the dust he inhaled on the job would one day change everything.

Jose spent long hours replacing roofs under the hot California sun, working tirelessly to make a living and provide for his family.

“He told me it was very difficult, but he did it to improve our economic situation,” explained Alicia.

Years later, Jose began to experience fatigue and unexplained weight loss. Alicia was concerned by his lack of energy and urged him to see a doctor. After a series of tests, a pulmonologist determined he had cancer in his lungs.

Within a week, Jose was officially diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. However, the couple was confused when doctors started asking about his work history.

“They told us his cancer was due to asbestos, and it could’ve been caused by roof replacements — the dust could’ve made him sick,” said Alicia. “We both realized that when he worked in Los Angeles, that was his mesothelioma starting point.”

No one had ever warned Jose about the dangers of asbestos in the materials he handled daily. He had never been advised to wear protective gear or take precautions to avoid breathing in the toxic dust.

Like many roofers, he had unknowingly been exposed to this deadly substance, only to end up with mesothelioma decades later.