Battling Asbestosis and Finding Hope: Michael Mihalik’s Powerful Story
Asbestos exposure continues to take lives, often silently and over decades. But for some, like Michael Mihalik, survival becomes a story not only of resilience but of renewed purpose.
Michael, a 66-year-old retired steelworker from Indiana, once believed that his diagnosis of asbestosis was a final sentence. Instead, it became the beginning of a second chance.
His experience, recently detailed in The Chicago Tribune, underscores the lasting impact of workplace asbestos exposure and the life-changing decisions people must make when facing this disease.
What Is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers. Over time, these fibers embed in lung tissue, causing:
Common symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest discomfort, and fatigue. In Michael’s case, he recalled coughing up “black, nasty stuff” after shifts in steel mills and foundries, assuming it was just dust.
Delayed Diagnosis Is Far Too Common
For years, Michael was misdiagnosed with asthma, COPD, and emphysema. Like many workers from the 1970s and 1980s, he had no idea that the materials he handled contained asbestos.
Dr. Robert Cohen, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, explained that misdiagnosis is frequent among patients who were never informed of their workplace exposure risks.
The Long-Term Consequences of Occupational Exposure
Mihalik’s health declined slowly but steadily. By late 2023, he required 10 liters of oxygen to sit still and 15 liters for movement. He could barely walk to the kitchen and had to carry a nebulizer during truck-driving shifts.
Despite the severity of his illness, it wasn’t until he read about another patient’s successful lung transplant that he considered seeking help again. That decision would change his life.
A Lifesaving Lung Transplant
After years of believing a transplant was out of reach, Michael contacted the Loyola University Medical Center in Illinois. Doctors there determined he was a viable candidate.
On December 7, 2024, Michael underwent a successful double lung transplant, which he described as “divine intervention.” His wife Darla, who had retired early to care for him, described his transformation as a miracle.
Loyola transplant coordinator Liz Schramm noted that while the recovery process is intensive, for patients like Michael, it can be a lifeline.
Is Asbestos Still a Risk Today?
Unfortunately, yes.
While public awareness and regulation have improved, asbestos is not entirely banned in the United States. Until recently, chrysotile asbestos—the most widely used form—was still allowed in products such as:
Although the EPA finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos in March 2024, some uses will be phased out gradually over several years.
The EPA has acknowledged there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, making ongoing contact with the substance especially dangerous.
Who’s Still at Risk?
Michael’s story reminds us that exposure decades ago can result in serious illness today.
Why Legal Help Matters
Navigating an asbestosis diagnosis is not only emotionally exhausting—it also demands the right support system. Legal representation is often critical in helping victims pursue justice and compensation.
At Asbestos Network, our legal team works to connect the dots between exposure history, symptoms, and liability. Many victims don’t know where or how they were exposed until we help them trace their employment and industry records.
What Michael’s Experience Teaches Us
Michael Mihalik’s journey—from diagnosis to double lung transplant—shows how persistence, proper medical care, and informed advocacy can lead to new beginnings.
His story is also a call to action: asbestos exposure continues to affect thousands, and legal, medical, and public health systems must remain vigilant.
If You’ve Been Exposed, Don’t Wait
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with asbestosis, mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness, reach out.
📞 Call Asbestos Network today at 866-316-4568
📝 Or visit asbestosnetwork.com/contact to schedule a consultation.
