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.

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.

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Legally Reviewed and Fact Checked by:

Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Attorney, Simmons Hanly Conroy

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Asbestos Exposure in the Automotive Industry

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 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 “blowing out” of brake surfaces with high pressure air hoses and “grinding” brake shoes.

Asbestos Exposure in the Automotive Industry background image

Common Automotive Products Containing Asbestos

Despite repeated warnings in the 1970s by scientists, industrial hygienists, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other government officials about the dangers between auto mechanics and asbestos exposure, many auto part manufacturers continued to incorporate asbestos into their products – knowingly putting mechanics and other customers at risk. Some of the most common automotive products still containing asbestos today include:

Brake pads
Brake linings
Clutch facings
Gaskets

Asbestos and the Auto Industry Today

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 recent 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 below to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers.

For more information on mesothelioma among car mechanics, browse the following resources:

Simmons Hanly Conroy Helps Auto Mechanics and Their Families

Simmons Hanly Conroy pursues justice for those individuals and their families who have been affected by asbestos exposure leading to mesothelioma. For more than a decade, 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 through understanding mesothelioma and its effects on families.

$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

Attorney, Simmons Hanly Conroy

Fact-Checked
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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.