Normand “Norm” Laurence developed an aggressive cancer called mesothelioma decades after serving his country in the U.S. Navy. See how we helped Norm after his diagnosis and how we can assist veterans like you.
Born in 1937, Norm learned the value of hard, honest work at an early age. He joined his family’s HVAC business when he was just 12 years old under his father’s supervision.
During this time, asbestos-containing products were commonly used in HVAC systems. As Norm worked, he breathed in and swallowed dust contaminated with this toxic substance. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma.
After graduating high school, Norm jumped ship from the HVAC business and set sail with the U.S. Navy — and he would be exposed to more asbestos-containing materials in the process.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center helped Norm after his mesothelioma diagnosis and can help you, too.
Get your Free Veterans Mesothelioma Kit to find helpful resources like U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, treatments, and compensation.
Norm proudly served in the U.S. Navy between 1955 and 1957 on the USS North Hampton (CLC-1). He served as an experimental sheet metal worker, installing boilerplates on nuclear submarines.
However, every U.S. Navy ship contained asbestos due to government mandates. Sheet metal workers were frequently exposed to asbestos materials used on boilers to resist high temperatures.
Normand and other service members were unaware of the health risks of asbestos exposure until it was too late.
Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products knew the dangers but never warned Norm or the millions of others who were being exposed on a daily basis.
The U.S. Navy and the general public largely stopped using asbestos once the risks came to light in the early 1980s.
However, for the millions of U.S. veterans like Norm who had already been exposed, there was no way to lower the odds of developing mesothelioma.
Following his Navy service, Norm kept building. He worked for the shipbuilding company Electric Boat, as well as Pratt & Whitney, which made plane engines. Norm later started his own general construction company.
In all these jobs, asbestos-containing materials were commonly used for their fire-resisting and insulating properties.
This meant Norm was exposed to asbestos-based products like:
Norm eventually decided to retire to spend more time with his family and pursue hobbies like playing guitar, restoring furniture, and spending time in nature.
However, only four years into his much-deserved retirement, Norm’s life changed forever when he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
With his strength weakening, Norm began to worry about his family’s future. He contacted our partner mesothelioma law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, to learn if he could pursue compensation.
Simmons Hanly Conroy was founded by U.S. veterans and has helped thousands of mesothelioma patients access compensation. With the firm's assistance, veterans with mesothelioma typically get $1 million or more.
While Norm focused on fighting cancer, the firm quickly got to work, building a mesothelioma lawsuit against the manufacturers of asbestos products that he was exposed to.
The firm secured a strong mesothelioma settlement for Norm, allowing him to achieve financial security.
Norm and his wife Gail used some of the money to pay off their mortgage and held a mortgage-burning party in celebration.
Contact us now for help finding a mesothelioma law firm and accessing VA benefits and treatments. It costs nothing upfront to speak with us.
Norm passed away after courageously fighting mesothelioma for nearly two years. He left behind a loving family and a legacy of hard work and military service that continues to inspire all who knew him.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center salutes Norm and all other U.S. military veterans who put their lives on the line to defend our country and its freedoms.
If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, we’re ready to stand with you.
Work with our team to pursue:
Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about all the ways we help veterans and civilians battling mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
