Testimony in Asbestos Lawsuit Reveals the Pain and Grief of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma lawsuits tend to focus on how the victim was exposed to asbestos and whether enough of the carcinogen was present to have led to their fatal illness. But testimony heard yesterday via Zoom made clear that the real issue at the heart of each case is the pain and loss faced by every family living with the rare, asbestos-related disease.

Wife Fears Mesothelioma Will Kill Her Husband Before 50^th Anniversary

It is life’s celebratory moments and other similar joys that are stolen by a mesothelioma diagnosis. That was made painfully clear when Fannie Little testified to a Washington state jury this week. Mrs. Little’s husband Cliff is a retired boiler worker who spent his career replacing asbestos insulation in ship boilers. He’s been diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma, and she fears that he’ll die before their 50^th anniversary and the celebration they’d planned for family, former coworkers, and church friends. “We’ve been married 49 years. Lord willing, we’ll make it to 50 in August of this year,” she said.

Speaking to the 16 jurors via Zoom, Mrs. Little said, “The time frame that you’re given when you’re [told] about sarcomatoid is not very long. So right now, we don’t know what the time frame is. So that’s always in the back of your mind.” Her remarks came at the end of the prosecution’s case in the couple’s mesothelioma lawsuit against the manufacturer of the boiler liner material they blame for his illness. 

Mesothelioma Diagnosis Affects the Entire Family

In addition to mesothelioma’s impact on their marriage and future plans, Mrs. Little spoke eloquently about the pain felt by their adult daughters. One is an oncology nurse, who Mrs. Little says “knows too much” about what is happening to her father, and what to expect. She said that this makes conversations particularly painful.

In response to the Little’s mesothelioma lawsuit, the defendant, a manufacturer of asbestos-contaminated material, insists that its product was not present on the ships that Mr. Little worked on. The case is proceeding through the court, with no trial being held today to allow for additional witness depositions. The case has been fast-tracked because of the imminence of Mr. Little’s death.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need guidance through the many challenges posed by the disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri