Personal Stories
In this section you will read personal stories about how benzene, asbestos, tobacco and other issues have affected our readers. These words represent the thoughts, opinions and feelings of our readers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SimmonsCooper lawyers. To submit your story please click here and we may post it in this section.
Justice
I by way of trying to earn an honest living by both being in the u.s. navy and doing construction work along with my wife have exposed my intire family. I so far seem to be ok but she will pass in the next few months. our children for now seems ok but I worry about there future.All of the governments all around the world should be captured and all there assets above what it cost to operate with out asbestos should forced to be spent to clean up all the mess. stiff prison sentances and even the death penalty in some cover-ups as well as more funding for research to help survivers. They should also be made to visit the stricken and sit with them and listen to there cries of pain and and see the hurt,greif and anger they have caused.
Ron Slaughter
Nov 24, 03:35 PM
Chemical Exposure
I was injured 5+ yrs. ago working with tire chemicals. It’s been a nightmare!There don’t seem to be doctors in Ok. that deal with chemical exposure.The workres comp. Ins.here acts as if this means there was no injury.Tell this to my body!I’ve recently contacted my state reps.and they are asking for the ins.to have me seen for re-evaluation.But if a suitable physician wasn’t found in the first 5+ yrs. what are my chances this time,that another doctor just won’t say the same thing ALL the others have.That they must send me to a specialist they don’t know what tie chemical exposure can do to a person.The court refuses to consider the evidence I have provided! I want to be seen at Mt.Siani Occ. Med.clinic or somewhere like that where they know more about this than main stream medicine.Any help would be a blessing!I have spoken to a Dr.Michael McCally(featured in Bill moyers”Trade Secrets”)He was helpful, but I need to be seen by someone with his knowledge of exposure.I am aware doctors are only scratching the surface when it comes to what can and does happen to those of us who suffer from this,but some don’t want to be bothered with something they must investigate.So to those out there who want to know and who devote their time to look beyond what is already known,I thank you!We all must be aware of what is happening to ourselves and our Earth!!!!!Kelly Bathe
Oklahoma
An Unforgiveable Ordeal
1988 I was told I had COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease].
Had to file for SSD,and SSI. Was 43 years old. Took 5 years of fighting to get my SSD,and SSI. They didn’t want to believe a 43 year old man was disabled.
August 1998 right lung collapsed twice in 1 week. Told I had Asbestosis and Emphysema.
Left lung collapsed 3 times August 2002. Breath reduction surgery
Sept 3rd 2002. 6hr operation. Died twice on table. Told they took out chuncks of asbestos size of nickles,and dimes.
Started CAT scans every 6 months. Found cancer left lung June 2004. Operated July 30th 2004. Removed lower left lobe,and 2 lmyph nodes. Now cancer doctors are worried about me getting 1 of 7 cancers I can get due to the Asbestosis.
Between Lawyers and Govt, I will be DEAD long before any of
these Companies are made to pay.
What I’m really mad about? They knew what it would do.
Neither of those companys gave a damn. Not the Asbestos companies nor the tobacco people.
The American tax payer has had to pay for my medical,and my bare bones living. LIVING???
All these years when I could have been a paying member of this
country. Thanks for letting me vent. I wont live too see it but hope someone will get them to pay the people who are really sick from all this stuff.
Respectfully,
Bill Currie
Anderson SC
A Close Friend
As my first and ongoing series of blogs I am going to tell a true story. This story is about a friend that was very close to me. I will call her Tina. Tina was a very active and fit mother of 3. She was 58 years old and her kids have been out of her house for quite a while. She worked at an automobile repair facility doing the books and cashiering.
Tina excersied and was a very busy person when not at work. She lived close to her work and walked to and from every day, even in the rain. She was very close to having her house paid for and was conservative in spending her money. Tina always said once the house is paid for I will treat myself, she was about 2 years away from that.
One day Tina started noticing something strange, she felt like there was a buildup of fluid in her chest. When she exercised and even walked around she felt a sloshing type feeling (like water in her). Tina went to the doctor and they told her nothing seemed abnormal. After a few weeks Tina went back to the doctor and this led to that and they ended up draining fluid from her chest cavity.
I remember when she called me that night, she said they pulled about a quart or so of liquid out of her that looked like beer. Well me being a beer drinker I made a joke and said “Tina let’s just put a tap in your chest and I’ll get my beer for free” We both laughed! I asked her how she was feeling and she said great…..
A couple of weeks later Tina started complaining about the same thing again. Tina went back to the doctor and the doctor didn’t know what was going on. He suggested admitting her into the hospital to run some tests.
Tina checked into the hospital (I believe it was a Monday) and they proceeded to do tests. Friday rolls around and Tina is still in the Hospital. She called me at work late Friday afternoon, about 6:00pm. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Tina told me they found the problem. She told me the doctors told her she had Mesothelioma, she kinda giggled, saying at least they figured out what it was. She told me they could treat it and to please not tell her kids just yet. It was almost Christmas and she didn’t want anyone to worry. Tina also told me she was being released from the hospital in the morning and they told her she could go about her life as usual. The hospital would arrange for her to see a specialist in the near future.
I asked her if it was serious and she said apparently not. We got off the telephone and on the way home from work I decided to stop by a friend’s house because he had a good computer and printer. I figured I would look up this Mesothelioma stuff, print out what information was available and kinda help Tina through this.
Boy was I in for a shock. To be continued…........
Kenny
Southeast, Texas, United States
Have been in the Automotive Industry for most of my life. Due to Health Problems I have walked away from that career.
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Ronald Larsen - Asbestosis Complications
My husband just died from fatal complications from asbestosis. He worked as a 1st class welder at Kaiser Steel manufacturing Corporation, Fontana, Ca. He worked with an asbestos apron, gloves, blankets, and curtains everywork day..from 1964 to 1983 (19 years exposure).
This seems like malpractice what the doctors did. They didn’t tell him (HIS) diagnois from 2002 WHEN asbestosis was diagnosed on ex-ray. It was so awful how it progressed. He died and fell-looking in the bathroom mirror trying to see what was hurting him..he had extreme pain across his upper rib cage and sides on his head. I was there with him to lower him to floor.. I still am in shock, and will be forever..His death certificate says Hemorrhaphic Shock..The coroner was so stupid that she sent the detectives to harrass the family, because she didn’t want to lab work because she said, she was going on vacation.
I hired a forensic science pathologist doctor who will have results,in the time it takes to show on lab stains.. Then, Just this week before Thanksgiving the detectives came back to my house to further harass and badger me. I gave them a 15 page report of some research I did to learn why this happened so suddenly along with the doctor’s diagnois & medical reports.
This is a nitemare, Grief and total injustice..it the worst kind of pain on the earth…
Mrs Ronald Larsen
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