A Breath of Hope: A Second Chance After Asbestosis Diagnosis

If you or someone you care about is dealing with the impact of asbestos exposure, you're not alone and you're not without options.

Take the story of Michael Mihalik. A 66-year-old retired steelworker from Indiana, Michael once saw his asbestosis diagnosis as the end of the road. Instead, it became the start of an entirely new chapter, one that’s equal parts heart-wrenching and inspiring.

His journey, which was recently shared in The Chicago Tribune, sheds light on the devastating effects of occupational asbestos exposure. But it also reminds us that with the right medical support, advocacy, and legal representation, there is still hope.

At Brayton Purcell LLP, our asbestos lawsuit attorneys have helped thousands of clients just like Michael. When companies ignore worker safety and put profits first, we step in to fight for the justice you deserve.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is no ordinary illness; it’s a chronic, progressive lung disease that develops after inhalation of asbestos fibers.

How Asbestosis Affects the Body

• Tiny asbestos fibers get stuck in the lungs.
• Over time, they cause scarring and inflammation.
• This leads to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and a lingering cough.

A Real Account of Asbestosis Symptoms

Michael’s experience is a textbook example. Decades ago, he worked in steel mills and foundries, unknowingly handling materials packed with asbestos. He remembers coughing up “black, nasty stuff” and chalking it up to dust.

The problem? His symptoms were brushed off for years. Doctors diagnosed him with illnesses from asthma to COPD, but not the real culprit.

Why So Many Asbestosis Cases Get Misdiagnosed

Here’s the frustrating truth: asbestosis often looks like other lung diseases, which makes it easy to miss.

Why does that happen?

• Symptoms mimic those of bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD.
• Many doctors don’t dig into patients’ work histories.
• Asbestos exposure might not even be on their radar.

An Expert’s Take

Dr. Robert Cohen, a respected occupational health expert at the University of Illinois Chicago, pointed out that misdiagnoses are way too common, especially in older patients who had no idea their jobs were hazardous at the time.

The Role of Legal Representation

This is where having a skilled legal team matters. Asbestos compensation lawyers like those at Brayton Purcell LLP know how to connect the dots, examining your work history, medical records, and exposure risks to help you build a solid legal case.

Can Lung Transplants Help People with Severe Asbestosis?

In some severe cases, yes, lung transplants can offer a second chance.

A Spark of Hope for Michael

Michael thought he wouldn’t be a candidate for a lung transplant. But after hearing about a successful transplant story, he decided to get a second opinion. At Loyola University Medical Center, doctors told him he qualified.

Fast-forward to December 2024: Michael received a double lung transplant. He now calls it a “divine intervention.”

The Reality of Transplant Options

It's important to know:

• Transplants aren’t common and come with serious risks.
• Post-op care is lifelong and demanding.
• But for some, like Michael, it’s a life-saving option.

As his transplant coordinator, Liz Schramm, emphasized, recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. But it’s worth it.

Is Asbestos Still Legal in the U.S.?

You’d think a substance that causes such grievous illness would be banned by now. Unfortunately, some asbestos is still legal in the United States.

Here’s the current status:

• Chrysotile asbestos (the most widely used type) is still legal in certain products.
• These include brake blocks, sheet gaskets, and parts used in chemical manufacturing.
• In March of 2024, the EPA announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported to the United States, but certain uses have a phase out period of many years (e.g. asbestos diaphragms to make sodium hydroxide and chlorine and asbestos-containing sheet gaskets).

Make no mistake, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and the longer it remains legal, the more lives hang in the balance.

Who is Still at Risk Today?

Even though asbestos use peaked decades ago, it hasn’t gone away.

Here’s who’s still in danger:

• Workers in construction, shipyards, auto repair, and chemical plants.
• Families of those workers, through secondhand exposure.
• Anyone renovating older buildings with asbestos-laden materials.

At our mesothelioma law firm, we’ve represented not just workers, but also their loved ones, people exposed simply from doing laundry or hugging a spouse after a shift.

The Delay of Symptoms

Michael’s case proves how delayed the effects can be. He was exposed in the '70s and '80s. His health didn’t take a sharp turn until decades later. By the time he was diagnosed, he was struggling to breathe and needed oxygen 24/7.

How Can We Protect People from Asbestos Exposure?

The short answer? Ban it completely.

Until that happens, here’s what helps:

• Enforcing strict workplace safety rules.
• Educating doctors to ask about job history.
• Equipping people with the legal tools to hold negligent companies accountable.

Dr. Cohen put it bluntly: using asbestos is like smoking menthol cigarettes instead of regular ones, still deadly, just with a different flavor.

That’s why legal advocacy is so critical. By taking action, you not only protect your rights, you help drive change.

What Michael’s Story Teaches Us

Michael Mihalik didn’t just survive, he fought back. And his journey from illness to transplant is more than a story of personal strength. It’s a wake-up call.

As long as asbestos remains legal in any form, exposed people will continue to be at risk.

Contact Brayton Purcell LLP Today

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with asbestosis, mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, let’s talk. Let our experienced team at Brayton Purcell LLP, one of the leading mesothelioma law firms in the nation, help you find your path forward.

Call us now at (800) 598-0314 or contact us online

Every story matters. Let us help you write the next chapter.

Sources:

• Rebecca Johnson, “Michael Mihalik, a double-lung transplant patient diagnosed with asbestosis, shares his story amid EPA review of asbestos ban” Chicago Tribune, July 2, 2025