A Mother Fights Mesothelioma and Secures Compensation

Thirty-two years old is young to receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, but that’s exactly what happened to Jessica Blackford-Cleeton in 2015.

From misdiagnoses to major changes to the family, Jessica’s path to being diagnosed, treated, and receiving compensation was full of unexpected events.

Learn how she finally found out that she had mesothelioma and what she did to set her family up for success.

Jessica Endures a Year of Unknown Symptoms

Imagine the frustration of having abdominal issues for a year, but doctors aren’t able to tell you what the problem is.

Jessica knew something was wrong. She was having severe pain in her abdominal area.

The doctors told her the pain was related to:

• Abdominal problems
• Anxiety
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Menstruation

After a series of diagnoses that didn’t solve her problem, Jessica underwent a CT scan. The results finally proved that something bigger was wrong. She agreed to a biopsy, and the doctors made a terrible discovery.

“It was all over my abdominal cavity, many hundreds, even thousands, of tumors. They had never seen anything like it,” Jessica explained.

Desperate for answers, they sent the biopsy to Cleveland Clinic, one of the most renowned hospitals in the U.S.

Cleveland Clinic Confirms Mesothelioma Diagnosis

After a few weeks, Jessica and her team of doctors received her biopsy results. She was diagnosed with a type of cancer that forms in the abdominal lining called peritoneal mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is particularly rare, accounting for only 10-15% of all mesothelioma cases.

While this finally explained her recurring stomach pains, it also meant that she had to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Like Jessica, you may be eligible for compensation to help pay for your treatments.

Surgery Puts Dreams of Motherhood in Jeopardy

As an aspiring mother, Jessica’s doctor told her words that she hoped she’d never hear: “The odds of you getting pregnant are small.”

She was about to go through a treatment called cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat her abdominal mesothelioma.

This involves removing the mesothelioma tumors via surgery and then using heated chemotherapy in the abdominal area to kill all remaining traces of cancer.

Jessica didn’t know if she’d ever be able to have children, but she knew that she needed this critical treatment and that time was a luxury she didn’t have.

New Husband and Caregiver

Newly married when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Jessica had to start her marriage out in a way she didn’t expect: as a cancer patient.

She needed someone to take her to treatments, care for her after surgery, and pick her up during her low moments. Her husband, Brandon, was up for the task and stood by Jessica throughout her cancer battle.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’re not alone. Jessica sought legal compensation to help her afford treatments, and that option may be available to you, too.

A Life Where Fighting Cancer Is the Norm

Jessica had a successful surgery, and her team of specialists was even able to remove the cancer surrounding her ovaries. This meant she was able to fulfill her dream of being a mother.

While still enduring extensive treatments to fight her cancer, Jessica quit working but treasures her life with her husband and her two young sons.

Jessica and Brandon never envisioned cancer being such a part of their lives, but it’s simply something that happened.

“I don’t know what it’s like to be a mom without cancer in my life, and he doesn’t know what it’s like to be a dad without a wife who has cancer, so it’s just our normal.”

– Jessica Blackford-Cleeton, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor

Choosing to Fight Back: Jessica Files a Legal Claim

Following her mesothelioma diagnosis, Jessica learned that many companies used asbestos — the only known cause of this cancer — and actively hid the risks from the public for decades. By putting profits over safety, they devastated the lives of thousands of families.

Once she was in treatment, Jessica also had a realization: “It’s expensive being sick, especially with this disease,” she explained.

The expenses Jessica faces include:

• Health care costs, including visits with her physician
• Specialists who may be expensive and far from home
• Traveling expenses for attending to her medical obligations
• Treatments like surgery and chemotherapy

In addition to the mounting expenses, Jessica wanted to hold the asbestos companies responsible for her illness accountable.

This led to the decision to get help from an experienced lawyer and fight back by filing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

“We filed a mesothelioma lawsuit, first and foremost, because those companies need to pay for what they’ve done.”

– Jessica Blackford-Cleeton, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor

Her Lawyer Took Charge, Making the Case Easy For Her

Jessica’s main concern was making sure she had the right doctors and treatments lined up. She knew she didn’t have a lot of time or energy to spend on a mesothelioma lawsuit.

She was pleasantly surprised that her asbestos attorneys made the process as easy and stress-free as possible. “Your health comes first,” they told her, and handled all of the legal legwork.

If her legal team needed information, they approached with respect for the treatments she was going through. Ultimately, filing a claim was the right decision for Jessica.

“We didn’t really have to think about the legal process much. Our mesothelioma lawyer took over that part and made sure the companies were held accountable for what they’d done.”

– Jessica Blackford-Cleeton, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor

Thanks to the help of her legal team, Jessica received mesothelioma settlements to cover treatment bills, traveling expenses, and anything else her family may need. She and her family have found much-needed peace of mind as a result.

Like Jessica, You May Be Able to Seek Compensation

Thousands develop mesothelioma each year due to the greed of companies that used asbestos without disclosing the health risks.

In her darkest moment, Jessica chose to take action against these companies. By doing so, she set her and her family up to live comfortably for many years to come.

Mesothelioma compensation may be available to others with this cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if we can connect you with a top mesothelioma lawyer who can fight for you.