A Trust Fund Victims Can't Trust
Ronald Camus’ story
Harvey, Louisiana. Ronald is 67 years old and suffers from asbestos-related cancer.
Ronald worked as a switchman and pipefitter throughout his industrial career. He recalls being exposed to gaskets, pipecovering and pumps, as well as working around several other craftsmen who also handled asbestos products. During this time, he worked at a variety of industrial sites in Louisiana.
Ronald also served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1963 as a field ambulance driver attached to the 82nd Airborne. Prior to joining the Army, Ronald worked as a switchman for Southern Pacific Railroad. He went back to work for the railroad after he completed his military service.
He was diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma on April 3, 1987. At that time, Ronald underwent radiation therapy. On December 21, 1997, a doctor in Baton Rouge linked the development of Ronald’s vocal cord cancer to his prior asbestos exposure.
Since he first was diagnosed with cancer in 1987, the lives of Ronald and his wife, Charline, have dramatically changed. One of Ronald’s favorite hobbies was to go gulf fishing with his buddies. He has not been gulf fishing since his cancer diagnosis.
How would the asbestos bailout bill hurt Ronald’s family?
Ronald’s legal case was set for trial in November 2005. Due to Hurricane Katrina, Ronald’s case is still awaiting a new trial date. Under the proposed asbestos bill, Ronald and his family will never see their case in court. Rather, they will be forced to begin the claims process again under the asbestos trust fund, and any compensation they are to receive will be delayed indefinitely.
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