Dr. Snyder’s Story of Mesothelioma Survival and Justice

Bonnie Snyder was only a teenager when she decided she wanted to dedicate her life to working with animals. However, in order to become a veterinarian, she first had to study chemistry.

After graduating early and starting her college career, Bonnie began working in a lab when she was just 16 years old. It was during these years that she was exposed to asbestos in clothing that was meant to protect her.

Decades later, Bonnie was diagnosed with a cancer called mesothelioma. By working with an attorney to file an asbestos lawsuit, she was able to secure compensation for treatment and become a mesothelioma survivor.

“I’m so grateful to the Lord and to our law firm for helping us get through this financially. They made it possible for me to continue my treatment and to have hope.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, mesothelioma survivor

Find out how Bonnie was exposed to asbestos, what her prognosis was, and how she was able to secure justice.

If you or someone you love is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, an asbestos law firm may be able to fight for the compensation you deserve. Get started with a free case review.

Dreams of Becoming a Veterinarian Tainted by Asbestos

To achieve her dream of becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine, Bonnie spent long hours working as a lab technician between the ages of 16 and 24. Each day, she was required to wear heat-protective clothing to complete her tasks.

Unfortunately, the clothing Bonnie wore was insulated with asbestos, a harmful mineral that can cause mesothelioma and other serious illnesses.

For much of the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in a variety of products. Many companies knew their asbestos-containing products were dangerous, but they hid the risks to protect their profits.

As Bonnie worked toward her dream, she had no idea that the equipment she used on a daily basis would cause her to develop a rare and aggressive form of cancer decades later.

“The chemistry labs involved heat-protective equipment. All of those things were laden with asbestos. I had no idea, as a 16-year-old, that there was any relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, mesothelioma survivor

Life on the Farm Interrupted by a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

One of the first things Bonnie and her husband connected over was their shared love of animals. He owned a mule farm, and soon after they were married, she learned how to drive mules.

Bonnie’s days were spent caring for her animals, gardening, hiking, and training for her walking marathon. However, she began to notice that something wasn’t right. Bonnie was having trouble breathing, and during a routine MRI, her doctor discovered fluid in her lungs.

The doctor recommended a biopsy to determine the cause of her breathing issues. Her husband also urged her to have the fluid in her lungs analyzed, and when she finally agreed, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

As a highly active animal lover, this diagnosis was a wrecking ball that crashed into Bonnie’s otherwise happy life. The cancer took a toll on her body, and soon, she was no longer able to do many of the things she loved.

“I’m not even strong enough to lift my body into the saddle. I’m not strong enough to handle a mule anymore, and that’s all as a result of mesothelioma.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, mesothelioma survivor

Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers

Bonnie’s case is unique in that she was already recovering from breast cancer and receiving treatment for thyroid cancer when she found out she had pleural mesothelioma.

In fact, it was during a follow-up MRI to check for any recurrence of her breast cancer that the doctor noticed fluid in her lungs.

To fight these diseases, Bonnie required ongoing treatment, including tests, surgeries, and therapies. While her medical bills added up quickly, these treatments were her only hope for survival.

Bonnie made the decision to pursue legal action in order to afford her medical expenses. This decision provided her with the financial support she needed to ultimately end up surviving mesothelioma and other cancers.

Bonnie’s Decision to File an Asbestos Claim

As someone who saw veterinarians regularly get sued throughout her career, Bonnie was initially hesitant to take legal action. However, when she learned that companies knowingly used asbestos in her lab safety equipment, she was inspired to act.

“I was essentially exposed with their knowledge, and I think it’s important for other people to realize that as well.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, mesothelioma survivor

Despite having never filed a lawsuit before, Bonnie decided to speak with a mesothelioma attorney. He was compassionate, and he sat with her while she was going through chemotherapy to answer all of her questions.

The legal process was easier than expected. Her team worked around her treatment schedule, so she was able to focus on getting better as they pursued compensation on her behalf.

“My lawyer went out of his way to make sure that I understood that my health and welfare came first,” said Bonnie. “The law firm did all the legwork for us. We had to do nothing except provide my own personal background and biography.”

Securing a Mesothelioma Settlement

For mesothelioma patients, the cost of treatment is often a major burden. It’s hard to imagine the reality of financing a life-saving treatment that puts you in debt until you’ve actually lived through it.

Initially, to afford her mesothelioma treatment, Bonnie:

• Took out multiple loans
• Spent her and her husband’s savings
• Cashed out their IRA

If not for the mesothelioma lawsuit settlements Bonnie received, she would be deeply in debt and unable to pay for the treatments that have helped her survive.

In addition to helping patients afford costly medical care, an asbestos settlement can go toward paying off a home, securing a family’s financial future, and taking care of other expenses.

As for the payout timeline, many families start receiving mesothelioma settlements in as few as 90 days. This short timeframe is possible because the majority of settlements are awarded without the victim needing to go to court.

“We were aware of how deeply in debt we were to pay for the cancer treatment. And if we hadn’t gotten the settlement, we probably would not be still living where we are today.”

– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, mesothelioma survivor

Take the Stress Out of Filing a Mesothelioma Claim

Working with an experienced asbestos attorney can make the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Our trusted partners can handle every step of the process for you, so you can focus on your treatments and spending time with loved ones.

The mesothelioma law firms we work with:

• Can help families in all 50 states
• Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
• Have recovered over $9.6 billion for mesothelioma clients

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to begin your journey to compensation and justice.