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Jose’s Story
Jose and his wife Señora L. came to America in search of a better life. While working to support his family, Jose was unknowingly exposed to asbestos on the job, leading to a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma years later.
Before he passed away, the couple turned to our mesothelioma law firm to seek justice and hold the companies responsible for his exposure accountable.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Decades after the family relocated, their life was turned upside-down. Jose began to lose weight, despite his food intake remaining the same. Soon, fatigue set in, with even the simplest tasks leaving him feeling drained.
“A young, athletic, and completely healthy individual who had never suffered from anything before suddenly fell apart. It was devastating,” said Señora L.
Jose underwent a number of tests, but doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
After spending over a month in the hospital, they finally determined he had an abdominal cancer called peritoneal mesothelioma — and it had been caused by asbestos.
Jose and his wife were shocked. Despite getting regular check-ups, Jose hadn’t experienced any symptoms until his health went south.
“The experience with mesothelioma is very awful,” explained Señora L. “You see your loved one is fading, dying, and there is nothing you can do. The helplessness is horrible.”
An Invisible Threat Overshadows New Beginnings
When Jose and Señora L. first moved to the United States, they’d been filled with hope for a brighter future. As they’d settled in, Jose had immediately begun searching for work.
“When you arrive in a country, you do the first job you can get,” said Señora L. “His work history began with brake pad replacement. He would go on-site to service cars with a partner, and my husband was in charge of cleaning and sanding the pads.”
During the 20th century, many brake pads contained asbestos. As Jose sanded them down, tiny asbestos fibers were released into the air. If breathed in or swallowed, these fibers can lead to serious illnesses like mesothelioma.
“In those days, there was no label or warning to be found that indicated asbestos was dangerous,” explained Señora L. “Nothing. There was no warning at all. Since he had to make a living, he went to work.”
Asbestos Companies Profited While Workers Suffered
While Jose had been unaware of the dangers of asbestos, many companies that made, sold, or distributed asbestos-containing products knew their products could cause cancer.
For decades, asbestos companies hid the risks from their employees and consumers to keep making money.
“For manufacturers, the use of asbestos in their products means tremendously huge profits. They just don’t care about human life. And when it comes to profits, they couldn’t care less if you live or die,” said Señora L.
After Señora L. learned that companies had intentionally covered up the dangers of asbestos, instead of prioritizing the safety of workers like Jose, she was determined to seek accountability.
“The people who manufacture all these products are making hundreds of billions while we are burying our loved ones. You cannot let murder go unpunished,” she expressed.
Jose was among the millions of hardworking individuals exposed to asbestos during the 20th century, alongside countless construction workers, U.S. military veterans, shipyard workers, and more.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
After Jose got sick, he and his wife saw a commercial on TV for the firm. Although they had never filed a lawsuit before, they decided to contact us to learn more about their options.
At first, Señora L. was hesitant. She only spoke Spanish and worried about understanding complicated legal terms. But when she called, she was relieved to find the firm had staff members who spoke her language.
“He knew both English and Spanish,” explained Señora L. “To find someone to talk to was like a beacon in the darkness in a desperate moment when I didn’t know what to do.”
Within a few days, a member of the firm arrived at the couple’s apartment. They interviewed them about Jose’s job history, requested his medical records, and proceeded to investigate his case.
Throughout the mesothelioma lawsuit process, Jose was exhausted from his illness. However, our team did everything possible to make the process manageable, allowing Jose to attend court virtually and take breaks whenever needed.
“It is a serious law firm that will neither stand back nor leave your side. You are always kept in the loop, and that’s important because you feel they have your back,” said Señora L.
The Simmons Hanly Conroy Difference
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, our mesothelioma attorneys are committed to helping families impacted by this cancer get the compensation and support they deserve.
We take a compassionate, client-first approach to filing mesothelioma claims, guiding families through every step of the legal process while providing the resources they need to navigate this difficult time.
“I felt I was treated with human dignity, and that’s priceless for me,” noted Señora L. “As an emotionally injured person, it is vital to receive humane treatment.”
Each of our clients is provided with a team made up of lawyers, paralegals, asbestos case investigators, and nurses. In addition to fighting for justice on a client’s behalf, these teams can help families find support groups, connect with mesothelioma specialists, and more.
Whether it’s answering questions, connecting patients with top cancer specialists, or simply being there to listen, we stand by our clients and their loved ones every step of the way.
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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.