Larry Gates

Fighting Cancer While Helping Others Fight Mesothelioma

Larry Gates brings an extraordinary triple perspective to mesothelioma advocacy: he lost his father to mesothelioma in 1999, has dedicated 25+ years to helping families navigate the same diagnosis, and is currently battling his own aggressive cancer at age 72.

Most remarkably, Larry continues working 10-12 hours daily while undergoing cancer treatment—driven by an unshakeable belief in hope and a mission to ensure every family receives the compensation and support they deserve.

"I believe forcefully that I'm going to beat this thing. I think I'm going to be here at least another 10 years. And that's what I want to relate to our clients—there is hope."

"The Smell of Money"

Larry's connection to industrial asbestos exposure began in childhood. Growing up in Pasadena, Texas—surrounded by refineries lining Highway 225—he remembers standing outside with his father during a northern wind at age six or seven.

"My dad said, 'Larry, that's the smell of money. It's coming from the refineries.'"

What his father called "the smell of money" would eventually reveal itself as the smell of death. His father, Dan Jefferson Gates, worked 22+ years at Shell Refinery as an instrument technician—climbing towers where asbestos exposure was daily and unavoidable.

A Father's Death in 1999

Dan Jefferson Gates embodied the American dream of his generation: Army veteran, 22+ years at Shell Refinery, successful entrepreneur who built a side business as one of Houston's largest used car wholesalers, and devoted family man.

In 1999, at age 81, Dan was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. The doctor explained there was only one cause: decades of asbestos exposure at the refinery.

"It was a death sentence, and it was to my father. He was gone six months later. I saw him wither away from a strong, active man into a skeleton."

Specialized Focus on Military Veterans

Larry's specialty is working with military veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. Veterans face the highest rates of mesothelioma of any occupational group because of pervasive asbestos use throughout military facilities.

According to the 2025 Veteran Exposure Report, 32% of mesothelioma claimants are U.S. military veterans—most having served aboard Navy vessels or in shipyards.

"The veterans who bravely secured the freedom of our country deserve to have financial security for their families, and I'm honored to help them achieve this."

VA Benefits Navigation

Larry helps veterans access multiple forms of compensation:

• VA Disability Benefits — Mesothelioma is recognized as 100% disabling; monthly payments range from $3,737 to $4,280+
• Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Approximately 60 trusts hold roughly $37 billion for asbestos victims
• Legal Claims — Average settlement time at Danziger & De Llano: just 11 months

His Own Cancer Battle

In November 2023, Larry was diagnosed with plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma—an aggressive form of bladder cancer. Rather than accept radical surgery, he chose combination chemotherapy and radiation.

The treatment was brutal, but Larry's cancer is now being held at bay. He undergoes monitoring every three months with biopsies, while continuing to work full-time helping other families.

"Before, I'd discuss our clients having chemo and radiation and I thought, 'Oh, just words.' Now I know exactly what they're going through. It is not just a word—it is life-altering, life-changing. I feel for them more than I ever would have before."

The Message of Hope

Despite facing his own mortality, Larry maintains unwavering optimism:

"There is hope. The treatments are a lot better today than what they used to be. I'm 72 years old, I work sometimes 10-12 hours a day and I feel great. Going through the chemo and radiation is not good, but there is hope."

Urgency and Compassion

Larry emphasizes why families cannot wait to seek legal help:

"The sooner you file, the sooner we can get our families compensated. We're under extreme time limits. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive, deadly cancer. If we catch it, get them compensated while they're still here, it can help them with medical bills and family bills."

For comprehensive information about veteran mesothelioma claims and VA benefits, visit WikiMesothelioma.com.