A Trust Fund Victims Can't Trust
Ronald and Mary Meloche’s story
Lanark Village, Florida. Ronald and Mary have been married for 54 years. They were married on June 10, 1951. The couple has five children, two of whom are deceased.
Ronald supported his family as a pipefitter for almost 40 years. He primarily worked at Honeywell, Inc., General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and Kelsey Hayes. As a pipefitter, Ronald was exposed to asbestos insulation on a regular basis. Throughout his career, Ronald came home from work covered in asbestos. Mary always washed Ronald’s asbestos-contaminated work clothes. Neither Ronald nor Mary was ever adequately warned as to the dangers of asbestos.
In 2002, Ronald was diagnosed with asbestosis. In January of 2004, Mary was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused only by asbestos. Mary’s doctors told her she had only three to six months to live. While Mary has defied their prediction, the toll on her family has been unbearable.
Mary has been in and out of a hospice for the past two years. She has endured numerous, painful medical procedures, including having fluid removed from her lungs.
Ronald and Mary dreamed of spending their time together offshore fishing in their boat after Ronald’s retirement. Since their illnesses, their lives have dramatically changed. The couple has had to sell their boat. Mary was an avid golfer, fisher, and shopper. Due to her illness, Mary can no longer participate in these activities. Most discouragingly, Mary has lost her independence; she was forced to give up her car, can rarely cook for her family, or do minor housework.
How would the asbestos bailout bill hurt Roland and Mary’s family?
Mary’s case has settled out of court; however, under the proposed asbestos bill, Mary would be prohibited from collecting the outstanding settlements owed to her and would be forced to begin the claims process all over again under the asbestos trust fund. Ronald’s legal claims are resolved.
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