Construction Worker With Mesothelioma Gets Justice Through an Asbestos Lawsuit

After 40 years in the construction industry, John Stahl was looking forward to retirement with his wife, Dee. However, when John was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma, their plans were derailed.

The Stahls were shocked to learn that asbestos exposure throughout John’s career is what put him in danger. While John didn’t know about the risks associated with asbestos, companies that made and sold the products he was exposed to did — but they kept quiet to keep making money.

The couple was determined to fight back against mesothelioma and the companies that put John and millions of other workers in harm’s way.

Today, John is a 5+ year mesothelioma survivor with much of his normal routine back thanks to the support of his family and a mesothelioma law firm that fought on his behalf. He shares his mesothelioma survival story to give hope to those in a similar situation.

“We want to get our story out there for other people that may be going through this and don’t know that there’s help out there.”

– Dee, wife of mesothelioma survivor John Stahl

LawFirm.com works with mesothelioma law firms that have secured over $10.1 billion for families like the Stahls who have been impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Get a free case review now to see if our legal partners may be able to fight for compensation and justice on your behalf.

A Life-Changing Mesothelioma Diagnosis

John’s mesothelioma symptoms seemed to appear suddenly. In July 2019, he woke up to severe shortness of breath and fatigue, and he knew something was wrong.

Dee encouraged John to go to the hospital, and they spent the day at urgent care. Chest X-rays revealed so much fluid buildup in the lining of his lungs that the images appeared completely white.

A month of appointments with his primary care doctor and an oncologist (cancer doctor) followed. In August 2019, John received a stage 4 pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, the most advanced type of this cancer, which affects the lining of the lungs.

Linking Asbestos Exposure to Construction Products

The diagnosis came as a shock. John and Dee barely knew anything about mesothelioma and couldn’t recall when or where John may have been exposed to asbestos. It wasn’t until the construction worker began thinking about his career that things became clearer.

Asbestos was used in thousands of products from the 1930s to the early 1980s, making them durable, heat-resistant, and insulated. Common building materials like cement, piping, flooring, and sheetrock — products that John worked with daily — all contained the cancer-causing mineral.

“I was kind of blank. I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t realize that my job had exposed me to this.”

– John Stahl, 5+ year mesothelioma survivor

Manufacturers knew of the dangers of asbestos but hid the truth to protect their profits, putting millions of workers at risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses later in life. Upon learning this, all Dee could think was, “Asbestos is poison, and it’s a prescription for death.”

‘Taking the Bull by the Horns’ by Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Within 48 hours of his diagnosis, John and Dee knew they needed as much help as possible so John could fight this disease. One of the first steps in that journey was calling a well-known mesothelioma law firm to see what their options were.

Dee recalled that everyone she spoke to at the law firm was compassionate, patient, and kind. The staff answered her questions and allowed her space to process the devastation of this disease, which she still felt so deeply in those early days of John’s diagnosis.

After speaking with case managers and lawyers, John felt legal action was about more than pursuing money. It was about holding negligent asbestos companies responsible for putting innocent workers at risk.

“We filed a mesothelioma lawsuit because asbestos companies need to be held accountable. I don’t know how these people slept at night, knowing people were being exposed.”

– John Stahl, 5+ year mesothelioma survivor

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if we may be able to help you or someone you love get the justice you deserve.

A Compassionate Legal Team Makes a Difference

The week after John’s diagnosis, the Stahls’ mesothelioma lawyer was at their house and ready to build their case. Navigating a mesothelioma lawsuit may seem daunting, but the lawyer sat with Jon and Dee and explained each step of the legal process.

“Our lawyer is one of the greatest guys I’ve met. He’s just a good guy. He explained things, made things simple.”

– John Stahl, 5+ year mesothelioma survivor

Together, John and his lawyer were able to pinpoint the specific companies that manufactured the asbestos products John was exposed to. This can be a difficult task, especially for people like John who worked for decades in both industrial and residential construction.

Ultimately, the Stahls’ lawyer was able to use his years of experience and extensive resources to build the strongest case possible. The couple didn’t feel like they were working with a lawyer but instead a friend who cared deeply about John’s health, well-being, and future.

Mesothelioma Compensation Leads to Treatment and Survival

Thanks to their experienced legal team, the Stahls’ mesothelioma lawsuit allowed them to access compensation without going to court. While the couple’s lawyer negotiated settlements with the at-fault asbestos companies, John was receiving chemotherapy every two weeks.

Treatment was difficult, but as he recovered, John’s mesothelioma settlement checks began to alleviate some of the financial stress. Eventually, treatment proved successful and his cancer became stable, allowing him to return to many of his favorite hobbies.

Today, John’s mesothelioma story is one of getting back to the life he lived before his mesothelioma diagnosis. He enjoys hanging out with friends and playing golf, and he considers himself “pretty well back to normal.”

He’s also relieved to know that Dee and their children will be financially supported long after he’s gone.

Get Help From a Top Mesothelioma Law Firm

John’s story is one of many mesothelioma patient stories that serve as a powerful reminder that help is available for families facing this devastating disease.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you don’t have to go it alone. By working with a mesothelioma law firm, you can seek compensation to help pay for your treatment and make your life a little easier.

The mesothelioma law firms we work with strive to make the legal process as stress-free as possible, so you can focus on your health. Together, they’ve secured over $10.1 billion for victims of asbestos exposure across the country.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to see if a top mesothelioma attorney may be able to fight for your family.