“They did a lot of testing and they did a biopsy – they found out it was mesothelioma.”
One afternoon, LaTanyta Manuel’s husband Andrew became ill. LaTanyta arrived home to find Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at her home tending to her husband. Soon after, doctors performed tests and officially diagnosed Andrew with pleural mesothelioma. It was 2002.
Exposure to Asbestos
Andrew Manuel was first exposed to asbestos as a child living in New Orleans. His father worked as a pipeline distributor and Andrew would often play on the pipes with his brother. The two boys would also play with the asbestos that sat behind their home, much like children play in sand.
Andrew’s Mesothelioma Battle
When Andrew was first diagnosed with mesothelioma, he was told there was no cure. Both Andrew and LaTanyta were determined to do whatever they could, so Andrew underwent a series of surgeries and chemotherapies.
During all of this, Andrew and LaTanyta sat down to talk about the idea of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit. At first, LaTanyta wasn’t interested.
“The only thing I wanted was for my husband to be healed,” she said.
Andrew told her that since there was no cure, he wanted the best possible for his family. From that moment on, Andrew decided to pursue the mesothelioma lawsuit with the attorneys at the Firm by his side.
Sadly, Andrew lost his battle with mesothelioma in January, 2004.
While filing a lawsuit with the Firm could not cure Andrew, the settlement allowed LaTanyta and her three children to live comfortably after Andrew’s passing. It gave LaTanyta the motivation to join the fight against mesothelioma. She served multiple years on the Board of Directors of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and organized a dinner auction that raised nearly $10,000 for mesothelioma research in 2013.
“When I needed [the Firm], they were there. When I need them even now, they’re still there,” LaTanyta said.
Watch the video below to see more of LaTanyta’s story, or Contact Us today for information on how to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
