Asbestos-Exposed Worker and Family Face Mesothelioma

Juan Barcena spent years working hard at a metal factory to provide a life for his family. He and his wife, Gloria, looked forward to a future of spending time with their children. But when Juan was diagnosed with mesothelioma, they were devastated.

“We were so sad about his illness that we didn’t know what to do.”
– Gloria Barcena, wife of mesothelioma warrior Juan Barcena

They had no idea that his job had exposed him to asbestos, which is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer.

Now, Gloria shares her family’s story in remembrance of her beloved husband — how they determined his diagnosis, fought against the cancer, and found dedicated financial support through Spanish-speaking legal assistance.

She hopes to encourage others to seek help and know they’re not alone in their mesothelioma journey and fight for justice.

Doctors Struggle to Connect Symptoms to Mesothelioma

When Juan first felt a stinging sensation in his lower chest, he didn’t think it was serious. Still, Gloria urged him to see a doctor.

“At the beginning, he didn’t feel much discomfort, but as the cancer spread, his shortness of breath got worse.”
– Gloria Barcena, wife of mesothelioma warrior Juan Barcena

At his first appointment, Juan underwent an ultrasound, breathing tests, and imaging scans. Gloria recalled how long it took him to breathe in and out.

Chest X-rays revealed fluid buildup around his lungs, but because his early mesothelioma symptoms seemed to suggest less severe conditions, doctors still couldn’t pinpoint the cause. Instead, he was referred to another doctor to have the fluid drained.

It took three months — and a video-assisted thoracoscopy — before Juan received a correct diagnosis. He was told it was pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lung lining.

Sadly, inaccurate or delayed diagnoses like Juan’s are common. Read how other patients pushed for an accurate diagnosis in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.

Unknowingly Exposed to Asbestos at Work

The couple had no knowledge of what mesothelioma was, let alone how Juan had developed it. “We didn’t know what it was or what to do,” Gloria recalled.

Doctors explained that Juan’s cancer was caused by asbestos. Juan knew he handled dangerous substances at the metal processing factory where he worked because he was required to shower before he went home each day. However, he had no idea that asbestos was one of those substances.

Juan and his fellow factory workers melted down and reforged gaskets and pumps. At the time, these parts were made with asbestos to enhance their heat resistance and durability. Manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos for decades, leaving innocent workers to deal with serious illnesses decades later.

Gloria reflects on how much sooner they could have acted if only they had known the risks.

“Asbestos is in so many things, and we don’t know it. If you work with it, be extremely careful and don’t skip any medical checkups.”
– Gloria Barcena, wife of mesothelioma warrior Juan Barcena

Finding Spanish-Speaking Legal Assistance

When a doctor explained that the Barcenas could seek financial compensation for Juan’s asbestos-related illness, they felt lost and unsure where to start.

As native Spanish speakers, they were concerned about the potential language barrier. So they put off looking for help — until one of Juan’s nurses stepped in and made a call to Simmons Hanly Conroy on their behalf. That same day, they were connected with a Spanish-speaking mesothelioma lawyer.

“We thought we wouldn’t be able to communicate. Our greatest concern was that we couldn’t speak English, but thank God for our legal team’s Spanish skills. Everything was much easier.”
– Gloria Barcena, wife of mesothelioma warrior Juan Barcena

Finally, Juan and Gloria felt like they weren’t alone. What had once seemed daunting became manageable with the right support.

Their mesothelioma law firm was always just a phone call away whenever they had any questions or concerns. Additionally, Simmons Hanly Conroy handled everything for Juan’s case over the phone and through mail so he could continue his mesothelioma treatments without interruptions.

Compensation Provides Relief for Treatment Costs

Thanks to the dedication of their legal team, Juan’s case was successful — he and his family received compensation from the asbestos companies responsible for his illness.

The Barcenas received asbestos payouts that allowed Juan to pay for his medical treatments and spend more time with his family. Chemotherapy and oxygen therapy helped Juan live for over a year with this aggressive cancer.

“Those fighting mesothelioma and seeking help shouldn’t be afraid. Don’t let language stop you. For us, the legal process was easy because we had all the help in Spanish.”
– Gloria Barcena, wife of mesothelioma warrior Juan Barcena

If you feel overwhelmed by the legal process, we can connect you with trusted asbestos attorneys who can make it easy and stress-free. Get started with a Free Case Review today.