From a young age, David Rosedale worked hands-on for long hours to keep his farm running smoothly. There was no time to slow down, but when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos, it seemed he might have to.
However, he decided to face the diagnosis with resilience — just like everything he had faced before — and took steps he never had before by pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit. What he found through the process was an even greater resolve to fight this cancer and the companies responsible.
“It’s important I share my story because before I got this disease, I didn’t know much about it, and I didn’t know what I needed to do.”
Read more about his journey from getting an accurate diagnosis to seeking justice and securing the compensation needed to cover his treatment.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis Hidden Behind Allergy Symptoms
David’s mesothelioma symptoms came on suddenly. One day, he had difficulty breathing, which he shook off, thinking he had allergies. But when he went into urgent care for worsening pain, he found out his left lung had collapsed.
He was rushed to the hospital, where they drained two liters of fluid from the lining of his lungs and performed a biopsy of his lung tissue. Almost immediately, the results confirmed David was suffering from much more than just allergies — he had developed pleural mesothelioma.
“I asked the doctors, ‘How do you know?’ And they said in the biopsy there were asbestos fibers along with the mesothelioma cancer cells.”
Along with his diagnosis came the devastating news that doctors expected he had just 2 weeks to live. Refusing to accept this grim prognosis, David resolved to make the most of every moment and fight for more time.
Learn how other patients navigated their diagnosis and outlived their prognosis in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.
Tracking Down the Source of His Asbestos Exposure
A mesothelioma diagnosis almost always means that the patient was exposed to asbestos in the past. Many people may assume that asbestos was banned years ago, but the unfortunate truth is that many people are still at risk of exposure today.
In David’s case, he worked on heavy equipment and vehicles essential to his farm for years. Those machines were manufactured with asbestos-containing products such as brakes, clutches, and gaskets.
“I started working with asbestos products at a young age and had been doing it my whole life.”
These products were reinforced with asbestos to make them more durable and heat-resistant. While asbestos was cheap for companies to purchase, the workers who handled the products daily would eventually pay the highest cost.
While maintaining this essential equipment, David was inhaling tiny asbestos fibers that would contribute to his mesothelioma decades later. He had no idea what he would be facing years later, but asbestos product manufacturers knew of the dangers and continued to profit.
Pursuing Justice Through a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
David never imagined needing to work with lawyers. However, as the costs of treatment mounted and he worried about how to provide for his family, David decided to reach out to mesothelioma law firms.
Initially, he wasn’t sure anyone would respond or that it would lead to anything meaningful. To his surprise, a legal team from Simmons Hanly Conroy visited him at home the very next day and began preparing his case.
David’s lawyers became trusted allies and friends, accommodating his long hours on the farm and his treatment schedule — even meeting with him late into the evening when necessary.
His legal team filed a strong mesothelioma lawsuit on David’s behalf that resulted in significant compensation. The money brought him peace of mind, knowing that he could afford the treatment he needed and rest assured that his family’s future was secure.
“If you’re a victim of this, my advice is to pursue litigation because the big companies knew this was a problem a long ways back. The damage it causes is irreversible, and you only have one life. You want to do the best you can for your family.”
David believes filing his lawsuit helped the next generation — not only by providing for his own children but by holding negligent asbestos companies accountable and sending a powerful message against putting profits over people.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you don’t have to face it alone. Get a Free Case Review today to find out whether you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
Undergoing Treatment and Living With Mesothelioma
Ultimately, David attributes the settlement as the thing that gave him the chance to fight the cancer. He’s undergone various mesothelioma treatments, including surgery and radiation.
Doctors are unsure of how long he will continue to live with his cancer, but David is thankful to be over a year past his initial life expectancy of 2 weeks.
“You can make this disease a bad thing, which it is bad, but at the same point, you got to go on living.”
David has taken a rest from his hands-on approach to running his farm, but he continues to enjoy as much time as possible with his family, animals, and the great outdoors. He enjoys watching his kids play sports and taking a ride on his motorcycle or horse.
While he knows there’s no cure for mesothelioma, he remains hopeful and ready to face any challenge that comes his way.
Get Help Surviving Mesothelioma
Anyone surviving mesothelioma will tell you how important it is to find a community to support you along the way. At Mesothelioma Hope, we know seeking help can feel daunting, especially when you are already navigating such difficult news.
Our team of Patient Advocates is here to help connect you to:
- Personalized medical treatment information
- Compassionate and experienced attorneys
- A community of survivors and caregivers
Call (866) 608-8933 to speak with a Patient Advocate right now or get our Free Survivors Guide to learn how other survivors and their families have found help and support.
