Mechanics
At Risk Occupations
Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure
Occupational Asbestos Exposure for Automobile, Industrial, and Aircraft Mechanics
Throughout much of the 20th century, mechanics who engaged in hands-on work with brakes, clutches, and other friction components were routinely exposed to asbestos. As a result, established research has long held that mechanics are more likely to develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.
If you or someone you love developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related health condition, past employment as a mechanic may allow you to seek compensation for your losses.
SWMW Law is nationally known for fighting on behalf of asbestos exposure victims across the country. Our team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for mechanics, families, and workers in at-risk occupations and has prevailed in high stakes cases against powerful corporations and insurance carriers. If you have a potential case, we want to help.
How Mechanics Were Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used widely in a variety of products and materials during most of the 20th century. Because it was durable and resistant to heat, asbestos was also widely used in the automotive, industrial, aviation industries to build parts and components that could withstand friction and reduce the risk of overheating and causing fires.
But while asbestos worked well for its intended purpose, it proved to be devastatingly hazardous to human health. Thanks to decades of research, we know that asbestos is a carcinogen, it is the only cause of mesothelioma, and any exposure – no matter how small – is unsafe.
We also know people in certain professions are more likely to be exposed to asbestos due to the nature of their work and, as a result, are more likely to be diagnosed with devastating cancers and diseases later in life. Mechanics – including both auto mechanics, industrial mechanics, aircraft mechanics – are among these at-risk occupations because they routinely handled asbestos-containing materials and engaged in work that increased their exposure risks.
Auto Mechanics and Heavy Mechanics Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was a favored insulant used in a broad range of applications where materials were subject to heat, fire, and corrosive substances. This includes essential vehicle components such as brakes, clutches, and gaskets.
Installation of asbestos-containing brakes and clutches
Sanding or grinding brake pads or clutch components
Servicing or repairing brakes and other vehicle components
Performing blowouts of brakes and brake pads
Operating brake lathes to grind brake shoes
Weaving or manufacturing brake linings
Cleaning, brushing, or vacuuming asbestos dust
Relining brake shoes
Automobile and heavy equipment mechanics were often exposed to asbestos while installing asbestos-containing brakes and clutches, which often required mechanics to sand and grind brakes to ensure a proper fit. This created airborne asbestos-containing dust that could then be inhaled or ingested.
Exposure also occurred during repairs that required mechanics to remove or replace brakes filled with dust, which accumulates naturally in wheel wells and is removed by blowing it out.
As researchers have noted, vehicles with asbestos-containing brakes produce dust that contains two major components – forsterite (a non-fibrous magnesium silicate that is created by the heat and pressure brakes apply to chrysotile asbestos and on its own isn’t toxic); and a great deal of chrysotile asbestos that is not converted to forsterite by the braking process. In fact, UW-Madison researchers found that a single nanogram of brake dust contained 90,000 unaltered chrysotile asbestos fibers, and that measurable quantities of asbestos could be found as far as 75 feet from where a blowout was performed.
Because mechanics and other auto workers were routinely exposed to asbestos dust in brakes, clutches, and other vehicle components, they also placed their spouses and families at risk of secondary exposure, which occurs when workers in high-risk occupations bring asbestos fibers from their jobs into their homes on their clothes, skin, and hair. As part of UW-Madison’s research, researchers identified several cases involving women married to auto workers who developed mesothelioma through secondary exposure.
Industrial Mechanics and Aircraft Mechanics Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos-containing braking components were commonly used in industrial equipment, such as large presses and stamping machines, hydraulic machinery, forklifts, and other mechanical equipment that relied upon friction materials for its safe and effective operation.
Asbestos was used widely in airplanes and aircraft components for the same reasons it was used heavily by the auto industry – it was affordable, durable, and could withstand heat and pressure.
As a result, aircraft mechanics and maintenance technicians who worked on military, commercial, or private aircraft from the 1930s through the late 20th century were routinely exposed to asbestos. This exposure occurred in several ways, including the direct handling of asbestos-containing materials, exposure to asbestos dust in brake pads, and exposure to asbestos found on worksites.
Work performed on aircraft brake systems was a significant hazard for aircraft mechanics. As with brakes in automobiles, brake assemblies on aircraft also contained asbestos and produced harmful asbestos dust. Aircraft mechanics were also exposed to asbestos in gaskets and packing when working on large engines, as well as various insulation materials and aviation parts.
In addition to working with asbestos-containing parts, industrial mechanics and aircraft mechanics were also exposed to asbestos through their work environments. Many mechanics spent long hours in hangars, airports, and other facilities filled with asbestos-laden materials and other trades workers who also handled asbestos parts and produced asbestos dust. Aircraft mechanics who worked for the military or military contractors were also exposed to asbestos in shipyards and Navy ships.
Sources of Asbestos Exposure for Auto Mechanics
Asbestos was widely used in brakes, clutches, and auto parts for most of the 20th century, placing thousands of mechanics at risk of exposure during everyday duties. And while the U.S. government began to regulate the use of asbestos in cars beginning in the 1980s, mechanics servicing older vehicles continued to be exposed to asbestos well into the 21st century.
Brake pads and linings
Clutch facings
Gaskets
Heat seals
Hood liners
Auto Body Filler
Grinders and Grinding Wheels
Sources of Asbestos Exposure for Aircraft Mechanics
Brake assemblies
Heat-resistant cloth and blankets
Engine heat shields
Engine mounts
Engine shrouds
Fabrics
Gaskets
Gloves
Insulation materials
Molded brake blocks
Repairing equipment
Studies Find Increased Mesothelioma Risk Among Mechanics
Compensation for Mechanics Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos trust fund claims. Mechanics and families may be able to seek compensation through special funds created when companies that knowingly manufactured and distributed asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy.
Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. Mechanics and eligible family members may have grounds to file civil claims against solvent companies that negligently produced, distributed, or used asbestos and endangered workers.
Past medical bills
Future medical expenses
Lost wages or lost financial support
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium and emotional injuries
Other economic and non-economic losses
Examples of Our Results
SWMW Law has recovered over $750 million in compensation for clients, including millions in verdicts and settlements in asbestos cases. Our team has extensive experience handling high stakes cases involving auto mechanics, aircraft mechanics, and other workers diagnosed with mesothelioma and various cancers due to their asbestos exposure. Some examples of our results include:
$4.5 million settlement for a Louisiana shadetree mechanic and construction laborer diagnosed with mesothelioma.
$3.4 million settlement for a Missouri heavy equipment mechanic and maintenance worker diagnosed with mesothelioma.
$2.2 million settlement for an Illinois automotive mechanic.
Call For a FREE Consultation: (855) 744-2656
At SWMW Law, our trial lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims and families in the fight against corporations that care more about profits than people. Backed by a century of collective experience, we have helped clients take on powerful defendants in courts across the country and have helped countless victims and families secure the justice and compensation they deserved.
If you have questions about an asbestos claim involving work as an auto mechanic or aircraft mechanic, call (855) 744-2656 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
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