Oscar’s Story

After decades of working around asbestos-containing pipes, Oscar was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He decided to file a mesothelioma lawsuit to make sure his family would be taken care of.

Sadly, Oscar passed away just a few months after his diagnosis. Our firm was able to help his family carry on with his lawsuit and secure the compensation they deserved.

Although Oscar and Lupe were both born in Mexico, their paths crossed in Arizona when family members introduced them.

At the time, Oscar had a job as an underground construction worker. His days were spent installing water, sewer, and drain pipes throughout the city of Phoenix.

Despite the demands of his job, Oscar and Lupe soon started a family of their own. The couple’s children, Oscar Jr. and Isabel, grew up in a loving home where they learned the value of hard work.

“We were very happy because we had a very nice life,” said Lupe. “We had two children, so I also worked. And then, my husband started having health issues.”

Since the early 1900s, city planners used materials made with asbestos to build cities within the United States. As a result, many workers like Oscar spent years helping build our nation’s cities and unknowingly put their own lives in danger.

For 35 years, Oscar dedicated himself to his job — but nobody warned him about the dangers of asbestos. The majority of the water pipe he installed throughout his career was asbestos cement pipe.

After decades of exposure, Oscar’s first symptom was a persistent cough that wouldn’t go away. Eventually, he went to the doctor, who took a fluid sample from his lung.

The tests confirmed he had pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Determined to make the most of the time he had left, he immediately began exploring his treatment options and reflecting on what mattered most — his loved ones.

Although they had been together for decades, Oscar and Lupe had never legally married. To them, a piece of paper wasn’t necessary to prove their love. But after his diagnosis, everything changed.

One evening, the family went out to dinner for Isabel’s 19th birthday, as was their tradition. After she blew out the candles, Lupe asked what she had wished for. Isabel replied, “For Dad to propose to you.”

When Lupe turned around, Oscar was down on one knee with a ring. One month later, they were officially married.

At first, Isabel found herself acting as the translator for her family, as her parents spoke limited English. Thankfully, the team at Simmons Hanly Conroy had interpreters on staff, ensuring clear communication through the entire process.

“Don’t be afraid to look for legal help in your language, because it’s easier to understand,” said Lupe. “We didn’t have any issues because there was always a Spanish speaker.”

This was the family’s first time taking legal action, and our mesothelioma lawyers worked hard to make the experience as stress-free as possible.

Our team also located Oscar’s former co-workers, who voluntarily testified about his occupational exposure to help hold the asbestos companies responsible for his death accountable.

“What stood out the most is just their professionalism,” said Isabel. “They were always there for us and always answered my phone calls with any sort of questions.”