Pedro’s Story

Pedro and his wife Teodora were shocked when he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure in his past jobs. As his health declined, the couple reached out for legal help.

With an experienced mesothelioma law firm handling every aspect of his case, Pedro was able to spend his final months focusing on his health and spending time with loved ones. He found peace knowing that Teodora would be financially secure, even after his passing.

Pedro and Teodora first met at a cafeteria in San Francisco shortly after Teodora had moved from Honduras. The pair crossed paths again at a laundromat, and two years later, they were married.

For more than a decade, Pedro and Teodora built a loving relationship. They attended church in California and went on long walks. He called her “my queen,” a reflection of his deep love and admiration for her.

However, their lives took an unexpected turn after many years together. Pedro began sleeping more than usual, and he slowed down on their walks. Then, he began experiencing chest pain.

At first, they thought it was something minor, like bronchitis or another common lung condition. As his symptoms worsened, they learned the devastating truth: Pedro had pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the lung lining that’s caused by asbestos.

When doctors diagnosed Pedro, they told him the cancer was a result of breathing in microscopic asbestos fibers. His exposure had taken place decades earlier, in the 1970s.

Pedro spent years in various high-risk occupations where asbestos was present, including as a printing press worker, laborer, and longshoreman. Yet, he was never warned about the risks associated with asbestos.

“He worked on the boats, and he had contact with the asbestos material,” said Teodora. “He told me that he had to carry it. But the dust that flies goes directly to the lungs.”

Teodora, who ran a home daycare, was no stranger to looking after others. But as Pedro’s health declined, she also became a caregiver for the man she loved. When it became difficult for him to eat, she’d feed him soup, ice water, and jelly.

“I’d always be taking care of him,” she said. “There was a nurse who came to take care of him too. He was a huge man, and my nephew carried him, helping me move him from one bed to the other.”

Despite his suffering, Pedro tried to remain strong for Teodora. He worried about her future, and he wanted to ensure she’d be taken care of after he was gone.

After Pedro was diagnosed with mesothelioma, doctors told him to contact different asbestos lawyers. At first, he was afraid and embarrassed to ask an attorney for help — the couple had never reached out to a law firm before.

When they found Simmons Hanly Conroy, they felt it was fate because the firm offered legal services in Spanish, which gave them the confidence to move forward.

“Pedro was thinking about me. How was I going to bury him? He couldn’t work anymore, and with the job I had, it wasn’t enough to cover the expenses,” explained Teodora. “That’s why he decided to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.”

Although Pedro was initially involved in the legal process, his health worsened, and it became more difficult for him to actively participate. Eventually, Teodora had to talk with the attorneys on her own.

Shortly after that, Pedro passed away — just 12 months after his diagnosis. Teodora honored his wishes by continuing with the mesothelioma claim after his death.

“He was calm when he left us, because he knew he had thought about me and his family,” said Teodora. “The help was wonderful, and he left in peace because of that.”

At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we understand the physical, financial, and emotional toll that a mesothelioma diagnosis can have on a family.

Our team is dedicated to fighting for the mesothelioma settlements you deserve while also providing compassionate support throughout every step of the process.

“With Simmons Hanly Conroy, it was wonderful,” said Teodora. “They helped me a lot. They were always there for me. Even after his death, they were very kind.”

We know that filing a mesothelioma lawsuit may seem overwhelming, but we’re here to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Our attorneys can travel to meet with you at your home and gather the evidence needed to prove how you were exposed to asbestos. Then we’ll file mesothelioma claims against each of the asbestos companies responsible for your illness.

“For me, things were all easy. They gave me a lot of information. They worked a lot for me. He was already dead, and I was left alone. However, they kept helping me,” explained Teodora.