Mesothelioma in Automotive Workers
Auto mechanics may be exposed to asbestos when performing maintenance and repairs of vehicle components exposed to high heat or friction, particularly brake and clutch assemblies. Asbestos exposure can lead to deadly diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, decades after exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness after working in the automotive repair industry, our award-winning mesothelioma lawyers can help you pursue significant compensation.
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- Automotive workers may have been exposed to asbestos in brakes, clutches, hood liners, valve packings, and engine gaskets, with brakes and clutches being the most significant exposure sources.
- Exposure to asbestos exposure in car parts can lead to deadly asbestos-related illnesses later in life, including mesothelioma.
- You may be entitled to compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit, asbestos trust fund claim, or VA claim if you or your loved one has developed mesothelioma after working in the automotive industry.
- Although asbestos is no longer used to manufacture automobiles, auto mechanics may be exposed to legacy asbestos in older cars and through aftermarket auto parts.
- Our award-winning mesothelioma lawyers have over 20 years of experience and have recovered over $4 billion in compensation for asbestos exposure, and we are ready to fight just as hard for you.
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Automotive Workers
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing auto parts are liable for the harm caused by asbestos exposure. You have multiple options to pursue compensation, including the following:
You may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages in a lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim.
Economic damages compensate for monetary losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. In a wrongful death lawsuit, economic damages include your loved one’s lost income and funeral expenses.
Non-economic damages are compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. In a wrongful death claim, they may include your family’s mental suffering and loss of relationship benefits, such as loss of companionship. The availability of emotional damages in wrongful death lawsuits varies by state.
In some states, you can pursue punitive damages from companies that knew asbestos was harmful but refused to warn workers. Punitive damages are not available in trust fund claims.
If you were exposed to asbestos in the military, you cannot sue the military, but you can sue companies that supplied asbestos to the military. You may also qualify for VA disability compensation and free VA health care.
Why Choose the Gori Law Firm for Your Automotive Asbestos Exposure Claim?
Mesothelioma claims are complex cases requiring significant resources and knowledge of asbestos exposure history, the asbestos industry, and laws specific to asbestos exposure claims. We have been standing up for asbestos exposure victims for over 20 years, and our nationally recognized mesothelioma lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience. We have a proven track record of winning outstanding results for our clients, with over $4 billion in settlements and verdicts nationwide.
We have found that our clients get the best results when we work together. When you choose Gori Law, our entire team will work on your case, allowing you to benefit from the strengths and experience of each of our attorneys. We will work closely with you to provide personal support and resources throughout your case. We are dedicated to keeping you informed and being available to answer your calls.
We do not charge upfront fees, and you only pay us if we win. The initial consultation is free and without obligation. If you allow us to review your case, we will donate to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. We have donated over $3.5 million to over 300 local charities, organizations, and nonprofits.
Millions Recovered for Auto Mechanics Exposed to Asbestos
Our $4 billion in successful case results include numerous significant mesothelioma verdicts and settlements for our clients, such as the following:
What Automotive Parts Contain Asbestos?
Because of its insulating qualities and fire resistance, automakers used asbestos in engine parts, automotive bodies, and vehicle parts prone to friction. Automobile factory workers and mechanics may have been exposed to asbestos in numerous vehicle components, including the following:
- Brakes
- Brake pads
- Gaskets
- Valve stem packing
- Valve rings
- Clutch assemblies
Hood liners
According to the EPA, workers could be exposed to asbestos in contaminated automobiles whenever they removed a brake disk, drum, clutch cover, or wheel from the vehicle. Asbestos exposure was especially heavy in brake dust.
Is Asbestos Still a Danger for Auto Mechanics?
Although car manufacturers in the United States have stopped using asbestos, auto mechanics might still be exposed to legacy asbestos. Classic car collectors often keep original parts on the vehicles, which could expose mechanics to asbestos during repairs and restorations. Some consumers drive older cars that were manufactured when asbestos was commonly used. Auto mechanics may be exposed to asbestos when performing maintenance or repairs on these vehicles.
According to the EPA, drum brake friction materials contained 40 to 73 percent asbestos by weight as recently as the late 1980s.
Even if the car did not initially contain asbestos, imported aftermarket brakes and linings may contain it. The EPA advises mechanics to assume all brakes have asbestos because it is impossible to identify which ones do by their appearance.
OSHA Safety Guidelines for Auto Mechanics
OSHA has established guidelines to help mechanics stay safe when working in areas with asbestos. These guidelines include such practices as the following:
- Cover and enclose the area surrounding the brake or clutch repair with a tight seal to keep asbestos out of the mechanic’s breathing zone.
- Use HEPA filtration to maintain negative pressure in the enclosed area.
- Immediately clean any spilled asbestos within the enclosure.
- Thoroughly soak clutch or brake components or other parts that may contain asbestos.
Our Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Ready to Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after working in the automotive industry, you may have been exposed to asbestos at work. Our knowledgeable mesothelioma attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover the maximum compensation available. With over $4 billion in successful case results, you can trust that your claim is in capable hands at Gori Law. Call us today at (866) 989-3926 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma FAQs
When Did Asbestos Stop Being Used in Car Parts?
According to the EPA, automobile manufacturers used asbestos in brakes and clutches through the 1990s. They stopped using it in vehicles sold in the United States by 2000.
How Can I Prove That My Asbestos Exposure Happened on the Job?
Occupational asbestos exposure is well-documented in the automotive industry. With more than 20 years of experience handling asbestos exposure cases, our attorneys have compiled inventory records, internal documents, testimony, and other evidence we can use to prove who is responsible for your asbestos-related illness.
How Long Do I Have To File a Mechanic Asbestos Exposure Claim?
Every state has a law imposing a deadline for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, known as a statute of limitations. These deadlines vary, but in most states, you must file your lawsuit within one to three years after your diagnosis. The time limits are inflexible, so it is important to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after your diagnosis to protect your claim.
Are Family Members of Auto Mechanics Also at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
Yes, family members of auto mechanics may experience secondary asbestos exposure, which can occur when mechanics exposed to asbestos at work carry the material’s tiny fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair. Family members experience the heaviest exposure when they hug the exposed workers or launder their clothing.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve an Auto Mechanic Asbestos Exposure Case?
Asbestos exposure cases can take a few months to a few years to resolve. Trust fund claims may yield compensation in as little as 90 days, while lawsuits typically take longer. Every case is unique. The time required to resolve an asbestos claim will depend on numerous factors, such as your case’s complexity, the jurisdiction where it is filed, and how willing the defendants are to take responsibility.
Can I File a Claim If the Asbestos Automotive Part Manufacturer Is No Longer in Business?
You may be able to file a claim if the responsible party is out of business. If the manufacturer filed for bankruptcy, you may be able to recover compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. In some cases, the manufacturer sold the business to another company, which may be liable under the succession laws. Our attorneys can investigate each responsible source and determine the most viable avenue of compensation.
