Pedro Fiori and his wife, Teodora, had built a quiet, hardworking life in California. But when Pedro was diagnosed with mesothelioma, that quiet life was suddenly upended.
At that time, they had no idea what mesothelioma was or that Pedro had been exposed to asbestos at work decades earlier. After Pedro’s diagnosis, Teodora became his mesothelioma caregiver while helping him fight — both his illness and the asbestos companies responsible for it.
“It’s important for me to share our story because too many people have died from mesothelioma. He was very strong, so I wouldn’t be sad. But I saw my husband suffer from it, and it’s very painful.”
– Teodora Vargas, wife of mesothelioma warrior Pedro
Learn how Pedro and Teodora navigated his diagnosis, found financial security with a Spanish-speaking law firm, and fought for a sense of peace and justice for their family.
A Perfect Day Interrupted by a Life-Changing Diagnosis
To Teodora and Pedro, a perfect day was one spent walking together through the land they owned. This simple pleasure was interrupted when Pedro developed frustrating symptoms. He grew incredibly fatigued and slept much more than usual. When they walked, his legs got tired much faster, and his chest hurt, making it difficult to breathe.
At first, they didn’t think it was serious, maybe an infection he couldn’t quite shake. But as Pedro’s symptoms worsened, they decided to see a doctor — and it became clear this was much more serious than they thought.
“He was diagnosed with a disease. We thought it was a lung disease, but it wasn’t like bronchitis. They found out it was cancer.”
– Teodora Vargas, wife of mesothelioma warrior Pedro
Pedro’s care team diagnosed him with pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the thin lining of the lungs.
Learn how other families sought help after a mesothelioma diagnosis in our Free Survivors Guide.
Unknown Asbestos Exposure Changes Lives Decades Later
Like many families after diagnosis, Pedro and Teodora had never heard of mesothelioma. Pedro’s doctors explained that he had developed the cancer from exposure to asbestos, a toxic material used in various industries for its heat resistance and durability.
Pedro had worked at many different job sites throughout his life, including shipyards and printing presses, that may have exposed him to asbestos — yet he was never informed of the risks.
This is a common story for many people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Asbestos can take between 10-50 years after exposure to cause cancer. By the time symptoms become severe enough to seek medical attention, the cancer is often already advanced, leaving families wishing they could have known or done something differently.
“He worked on the boats, and he had contact with the asbestos material. He told me that he had to carry it.”
– Teodora Vargas, wife of mesothelioma warrior Pedro
Pedro’s doctors encouraged the couple to pursue legal action to ease their financial burdens in this life-changing moment.
Mesothelioma Legal Help Brings Relief
Pedro and his wife had never worked with lawyers before. They initially felt uncomfortable asking for help and weren’t sure where to start. Finding a mesothelioma law firm seemed complicated and a bit daunting.
But the couple took advice from their care team and reached out to mesothelioma lawyers to take on Pedro’s case. As they spoke with more people, they understood that the asbestos companies who hid the dangers of their products for years should be held accountable for the illness that had changed their lives.
When Pedro and Teodora connected with Simmons Hanly Conroy, Mesothelioma Hope’s partner law firm, they knew they had found the right legal team for them. Everyone they spoke to communicated clearly through the complex legal process — and in Spanish, the couple’s first language — so they didn’t feel confused at any step.
Between Pedro’s treatment and Teodora caring for him while working to keep their bills paid, they didn’t quite expect the relief that filing a mesothelioma lawsuit would give them.
“The compensation helped us a lot. Pedro was thinking about me. He couldn’t work anymore, and my job alone wasn’t enough to cover the expenses.”
– Teodora Vargas, wife of mesothelioma warrior Pedro
Beyond the compensation that helped them pay their medical bills, their legal team also helped them navigate the more emotional side of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Pedro was able to fight his cancer for a year, and found peace of mind that Teodora would be taken care of.
Long after his passing, Simmons Hanly Conroy continues to check in on Teodora so she knows she is never alone.
Helping Families With Mesothelioma
Thanks to advocates on their care team, Pedro and Teodora were able to get the help they needed after a life-changing diagnosis. If you or someone you love is facing mesothelioma, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Our Patient Advocates can help you:
- Connect with specialists and treatment centers near you
- Explore what compensation options you might be eligible for
- Find support groups and other free resources
Don’t wait to get the support you need. Call (866) 608-8933 now or get a Free Survivors Guide to learn how other families like yours found help in their fight against mesothelioma.
