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Auto Mechanics
Routine, hands-on work with clutch facings, brake shoes, linings and other asbestos-containing friction materials puts auto mechanics at significant risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Many professional mechanics have endured years of high-level asbestos exposure at service stations, car dealerships, repair shops, garages and other confined work spaces where hazardous fibers and dust linger.
Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Shareholder, Simmons Hanly Conroy
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Auto Mechanics and the Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Because of its low cost, excellent friction and fire-resistant properties, asbestos was regularly used by clutch and brake manufacturers who supplied dangerous materials directly to major auto plants, aftermarket distributors and small repair shops.
These asbestos products are known to release short chrysotile asbestos fibers during the installation, repair and replacement of brake systems, linking auto mechanics and asbestos exposure.
Many brakes are still made with asbestos — only in smaller amounts than in the past — and as the pads and linings break down from friction against the drums, asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled by mechanics when they service the brake systems, particularly if they are unaware of the dangers inherent in asbestos.
Common high risk duties for auto mechanics include the “blowing out” of brake surfaces with high pressure air hoses and “grinding” brake shoes.
Common Automotive Products Containing Asbestos
In the 1970s, scientists, industrial hygienists, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government officials repeatedly warned manufacturing companies about the dangers of asbestos exposure for auto mechanics and related roles.
Despite this, many auto part manufacturers continued to incorporate asbestos into their products — knowingly putting mechanics, customers and other occupations at risk.
Some of the most common automotive products still containing asbestos today include:
- Brake pads
- Brake linings
- Clutch facings
- Gaskets
Asbestos and Auto Mechanics Today
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that there are more than 700,000 automotive service technicians and mechanics employed in the United States. Accordingly, a mesothelioma diagnosis among auto mechanics is not uncommon.
Though the use of toxic materials, such as asbestos, are regulated by organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), surprisingly dangerous levels of asbestos dust continue to be found in automotive workshops and garages across the country, where they pose health risks to both auto mechanics and customers.
A study conducted by government-certified laboratories on behalf of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer found that more than two-thirds of automotive garages inspected had “dangerous levels of asbestos dust present.” Specifically, the asbestos dust levels fell somewhere between 2.26 percent and 63.8 percent.
Given the long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, this does not bode well for auto mechanics.
If you believe you or a loved one has been experiencing mesothelioma symptoms related to mechanics’ asbestos exposure, fill out the form on this page to set up a free legal consultation with one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers.
For more information on mesothelioma among car mechanics, browse the following resources:
Fighting on Behalf of Auto Mechanics in Trial
Asbestos-containing brakes were a common source of exposure for many auto mechanics across the country. Our mesothelioma trial attorneys have experience holding the manufacturers of asbestos brakes accountable in court — and securing notable results for our clients.
- In March 2022, our team secured a $20 million verdict against Ford Motor Company on behalf of Cathy and Bill Trokey. During the 1960s, Bill worked in automotive repair garages and serviced asbestos-containing brakes made by Ford on countless occasions. In 2020, decades after this exposure, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
- In June 2021, we secured an $8.2 million verdict against Ford on behalf of Steven “Joe” Aaron Sr., who was diagnosed with mesothelioma the year before. During the 1960s and ‘70s, Joe worked as a gas station and school bus mechanic. He routinely serviced asbestos-containing brakes and clutches in Ford vehicles.
- In August 2019, our team secured a $34 million verdict against Ford on behalf of Arthur and Janet Putt. During the late 1960s and ’70s, Arthur worked as a mechanic at several service stations. During the thousands of brake jobs he performed in his career, he suffered repeated exposure to asbestos-containing brakes manufactured by Ford.
If you or your loved one worked with asbestos-containing brakes or other automotive parts and was later diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us today.
You may be entitled to compensation, and we’re prepared to fight on your behalf to get it.
Simmons Hanly Conroy Helps Auto Workers and Their Families
As a leading mesothelioma law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy pursues justice for those individuals and their families who have been affected by asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. For over 20 years, we have worked to represent mesothelioma victims and their families and have donated to support research to find a cure for this tragic disease.
We are committed to the fight against mesothelioma and treat our clients with the dignity that comes from understanding mesothelioma and its effects on families.
Here are a few mesothelioma settlements we’ve recovered for auto workers across the country:
$2.59 MILLION
Wisconsin
43-year-old Auto Body Repairman
$6.76 MILLION
Florida
Auto Mechanic
$3.14 MILLION
Michigan
Auto Worker
- $1.59 million obtained for a Florida Auto Mechanic affected by pleural mesothelioma
- $2.54 million awarded to a California Teacher and Part-Time Auto Mechanic diagnosed with mesothelioma
- $1.4 million to a 48-year-old Mechanic from Illinois diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma
- $1.28 million granted to the heirs of a New York Auto Mechanic who died from pleural mesothelioma
- $2.29 million in mesothelioma settlements awarded to an Auto Mechanic and U.S. Navy Veteran from Florida
- $1.7 million in settlements to a 46-year-old Texas Auto Mechanic who died from pleural mesothelioma
- $1.57 million granted to the family of a 60-year-old Texas Mechanic who have been affected by pleural mesothelioma
- $1.18 million in mesothelioma settlements to a U.S. Army Veteran and Mechanic from Washington
- Over $1 million in settlements to a Pennsylvania Navy Veteran and Mechanic
- $1.89 million in mesothelioma settlements for a U.S. Navy Veteran and Auto Mechanic from Pennsylvania
- $2.49 million in settlements awarded to the family of a Washington Mechanic who endured pleural mesothelioma
- $1 million secured for a pleural mesothelioma sufferer who worked as a Brake Mechanic
- $2.24 million granted to an Arizona woman who assisted with Auto Repairs and died from mesothelioma
- $1.22 million to a Missouri woman who suffered Secondary Exposure through her husband’s job as an Auto Mechanic
- $2.08 million in settlements to a former Michigan GM Worker who passed away from mesothelioma
- Just over $4 million secured for a Mechanic from Illinois diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma
- $1.23 million granted to a Nevada Auto Mechanic in the Air National Guard who died from peritoneal mesothelioma
- $1.68 million awarded to a North Carolina Auto Mechanic and Contractor affected by peritoneal mesothelioma
- $3.14 million secured to a Mechanic and Coal Miner from Illinois diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma
- Just over $2 million in Texas mesothelioma settlements to the heirs of an Auto Mechanic
- $1.06 million granted to a Colorado Auto Mechanic and Construction Worker diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma
- $1 million in mesothelioma settlements to a Texas Mechanic who endured pleural mesothelioma
- $1.44 million to a pleural mesothelioma patient from Florida who worked as an Auto Mechanic and Construction Worker
- $3.5 million to an Auto Mechanic from Illinois diagnosed with mesothelioma
- $1.14 million collected for the heirs of an Indiana Auto Mechanic who died from pleural mesothelioma
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Reviewed by:Melissa Crowe Schopfer- Fact-Checked
- Legal Reviewer
Shareholder Melissa Crowe Schopfer joined Simmons Hanly Conroy in 2005 as an asbestos and mesothelioma attorney. In November 2012, she became an asbestos trial team leader, where her responsibilities include managing a team of attorneys and legal staff. She has worked on over 500 cases in the past 10 years and helped recover over $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of individuals and families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. She has represented clients who live in nearly every state.