James Gallagher Deserved Better

James' wife is one of the many victims of asbestos speaking out against a proposed asbestos industry bailout bill.

James Gallagher of Fountain Hills, Arizona, recently died of mesothelioma. He is survived by his wife, Rita.

James was exposed to asbestos throughout his lifetime. His first exposure came from 1956 to 1958 when he worked as a laborer at Republic Steel Mill during summer and winter vacations in Chicago, Illinois. James later served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from October 1962 to 1968 in Bakersville, California, where he had six months of active duty doing infantry and heavy weapons, followed by six years of reserve time.

From 1970 to 1973, James Gallagher worked for Krez Insulation/Paul J. Krez Co. in Morton Grove, Illinois as a pipe insulator. There he worked five days a week directly with pipe insulation, pipes and compounds. And from 1976 to 1980, James was a self-employed Builder/Owner/Hairstylist of a salon in Tempe, Arizona. He renovated the salon, painting it and installing a drop ceiling with 3 by 5 drop in pads, as well as laying floor tile.

Before his diagnosis, James was very active. He enjoyed home renovation projects such as laying tile and carpet, yardwork and golfing. He was unable to do these things after his diagnosis due to extreme fatigue and shortness of breath.

Prior to his death, James was a Real Estate Agent and Property Developer. Rita was a self-employed real estate agent but she stopped working in 2002 to stay home and take care of her husband.

In July 2005, Rita visited Washington, DC to share her story with lawmakers and explain to them why their proposed trust fund leaves behind the very people it is supposed to help—the victims and their families.

The Gallaghers' case is set for trial on May 16, 2006, but under the proposed bill Rita may never have her day in court. Instead, she would be forced to file a new claim under the trust fund and wait indefinitely for any compensation she might receive for her husband's death.

August 2005