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David’s Story
David Rosedale, a farmer in California, grew up working on tractors and cars. Years later, he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos in many of the vehicle parts he handled.
At his doctor’s urging, David contacted a mesothelioma law firm for help. The compensation he received from a lawsuit helped pay for his medical treatments and secure his family’s future.
An Unexpected Discovery
One afternoon, David had difficulty breathing. He initially suspected it might be related to allergies but decided to visit urgent care to confirm.
To his surprise, David learned he had a collapsed lung. He was rushed to the hospital, where two liters of fluid were drained from his left lung. They sent the fluid for a biopsy, and it came back positive for pleural mesothelioma.
“The doctor explained that I had mesothelioma, and they told me I had 2 weeks to live,” explained David. “They said in the biopsy there were asbestos fibers along with the mesothelioma cancer cells.”
As a dedicated farmer, David had spent countless hours working on different types of machinery. He didn’t realize that this labor, which exposed him to asbestos, would eventually take such a toll on his health.
A Lifetime of Hard Work & Asbestos Exposure
Every morning, David gets up at 3 a.m. to feed the animals. He spends each day working on his farm, maintaining equipment, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
David was born into a family of farmers, instilling in him a strong work ethic and a deep connection to the land. He was taught the value of hard work at a young age through hands-on experiences.
“I started working on stuff when I was probably 7 years old,” said David. “I did a Pontiac Tempest and a head gasket when I was 7.”
As he worked, David breathed in dust from the brakes, clutches, and gaskets. This dust contained microscopic asbestos fibers, which irritated the lining of his lungs and caused cancer cells to form decades later.
After receiving his diagnosis, the life that David had always known — filled with early mornings, hard labor, and caring for his animals — was suddenly overshadowed by the need for urgent medical treatment.
“Well, you start your cancer treatment, and you now know that you’re not invincible anymore,” he said. “So, you start the treatment and then you go about your life, and you try to not think about it and just do your life as normal.”
Filing a Lawsuit to Protect His Family’s Future
Early on, David’s doctor told him he should contact a mesothelioma lawyer, but he was hesitant. He’d never filed a lawsuit before and didn’t know what to expect.
David worried that reaching out to a law firm might not lead to much — but his experience turned out to be quite the opposite.
“When I called them, they came out within a day,” David noted. “They had a team here and started everything right away. And they worked in such a timely fashion to get things straightened out. I don’t think I would’ve gotten that anywhere else.”
After meeting his legal team and learning more about the costs associated with mesothelioma, David decided to move forward with taking legal action against the asbestos companies responsible for his illness.
“I decided to pursue a mesothelioma lawsuit because I needed to provide for my family and I was not going to be able to work.”
Learning that many companies had known about the dangers of asbestos for decades fueled David’s determination to protect future generations. By filing a lawsuit, he wanted to raise awareness about these risks, as asbestos remains a threat despite regulations.
“Asbestos is still coming in from overseas,” said David. “The damage it causes is irreversible, and you only have one life. So you want to do the best you can for your family.”
A Trusted Partner in the Fight Against Mesothelioma
Even after David chose to work with Simmons Hanly Conroy, he was still uncertain about the idea of taking legal action. However, his attorney Ron Herron quickly put him at ease by being more than just a lawyer — he became a trusted ally.
“I’m not a lawsuit guy. My perception of lawyers is they just make things worse, but Ron was the complete opposite of that,” David said. “He took time to listen to me and explain things. I was able to call or text him at all times of the day and night.”
While preparing his mesothelioma claims, Ron and David developed a close friendship. In addition to handling the legal details of David’s case, Ron also offered guidance and emotional support.
“When I was going through treatment during the legal process, they worked around my treatments and were conscious of my health concerns,” said David.
The flexibility and care shown by Ron and his legal team made the process less overwhelming, allowing David to prioritize his health while still pursuing justice.
Focusing on His Family & Future
David remained skeptical about the legal process until the very end, when settlement checks from the asbestos companies responsible for his illness began to arrive.
“I didn’t expect anything out of this. And it was kind of the joke, if we get a hamburger out of the deal, we’re doing good. Well, we got a lot of hamburgers,” he remarked.
With his mesothelioma settlements, David was able to secure his family’s future by purchasing a dairy farm — a dream that had felt out of reach before his diagnosis.
The compensation he received also allowed David to focus on his health without the added burden of financial stress that often accompanies mesothelioma.
“These results took away the monetary concerns associated with cancer, which are medical expenses, transportation costs, and everyday bills,” said David. “You can concentrate more on treatment and your family.”
Even after the case was resolved, Ron and David have continued to keep in touch. To Ron and all of the attorneys at Simmons Hanly Conroy, it’s never just about a legal battle — it’s about helping a family navigate one of the most challenging times in their lives.
Get Help from Simmons Hanly Conroy
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we’re committed to supporting families like David’s as they face the uncertainty of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
To date, our firm has secured over $10.1 billion in asbestos claim payouts, helping many patients get the care and support they need.
“The Rosedale family are great people,” said Ron. “This tragic, preventable disease that Dave contracted through no fault of his own has had a serious impact on him and his loved ones.”
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, call (800) 326-8900 now to see if we can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
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Written by:Simmons Hanly ConroyThe Simmons Hanly Conroy Editorial Team consists of journalists, writers and editors who strive to deliver accurate and useful information to families needing legal help. Our team works alongside the firm's attorneys and partners, as well as with medical professionals and other specialists, to keep all information relevant and helpful.