Asbestos Brakes, Clutches, and Friction Materials: Asbestos Court Decisions

Decisions in our case-law library that involve brakes, clutches and friction materials: 421 cases, by state. Each line gives the exposure the court described, or else what it decided. For the topic itself, see Asbestos Brakes, Clutches, and Friction Materials.

North Carolina

• Smith v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (2016). User of replacement brakes
• Williams v. CSX Transportation, Inc. (2006). Supervisor of CSX shops at CSX Hamlet, North Carolina facility, 1962-1999

North Dakota

• Black v. Abex Corp. (1999). Auto mechanic in the Air Force at 1971-1986
• Puppe By Puppe v. AC and S., Inc. (1990). Crane operator at Grand Forks, 1966-1981

Ohio

• Parker Hannifin Corp. v. Standard Motor Products, Inc. (2023). 1974-1988
• Maddy v. Honeywell Internatl., Inc. (8th Appellate District, 2020). Supervisor in the aftermarket parts and service department at Flxible Bus Corporation, Loudonville facility, 1980-1996
• Parker Hannifin Corp. v. Standard Motor Products, Inc. (2020). 1974-1988
• Blakely v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (9th Appellate District, 2019). Worked in the Wheel and Brake Division at Plant B, 1967
• Parker Hannifin Corp. v. Standard Motor Products, Inc. (2019). 1974-1988
• Alexander v. Honeywell International, Inc. (2018). The court denied Honeywell's motions in limine to exclude plaintiffs' experts Dr. Bedrossian and Dr. Finkelstein and to dismiss the claims, so both experts may testify; plaintiffs won this ruling.
• Case v. Clark Indus. Insulation (8th Appellate District, 2018). Personal automobile brake repairs
• Schwartz v. Honeywell Internatl., Inc. (2018). Daughter of a worker who changed brakes at home at family home garage, during the 18 years she lived there
• Alexander v. Honeywell International, Inc. (2017). Visitor to her boyfriend/fiancé's workplace, an automobile garage at automobile garage where Mr. Schweinberg worked as a mechanic, 1987-1991
• Hart v. Honeywell International (2017). Uncertified mechanic at 1972-2014
• Schwartz v. Honeywell Internatl., Inc. (8th Appellate District, 2016). Child of man doing brake jobs at home at family home garage, 1964-1986
• Watkins v. Affinia Group (8th Appellate District, 2016). Store manager who sanded brakes for customers at Auto Shack and AutoZone retail stores, 1985-2006
• State EX rel. Roger Bacon High School v. Indus. Comm. OF Ohio (10th Appellate District, 2011). Hobby car work including brakes at 1953-1955
• Cantrell v. Adience, Inc. (8th Appellate District, 2010). Worked in the transmission department, mostly the transmission assembly room at General Motors Company, Chevrolet plant, Parma, 1977-1979
• Connell v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (8th Appellate District, 2010). Employee in the Vinyl Division and Wheel and Brake areas of Plant B at Plant B, Goodyear Aerospace Corporation, Akron, 1964-1973
• Polanco v. Asbestos Corp., Ltd. (3rd Appellate District, 2009). Employee at a brake manufacturing plant at Maremont (Grizzly Manufacturing) brake manufacturing plant, 1966-1979
• Gomcsak v. US Steel Corp. (9th Appellate District, 2008). Electrician/motor inspector at U.S. Steel Mill, Lorain, 1942-1984
• DiCENZO v. A-Best Prods. Co., Inc. (8th Appellate District, 2007). Laborer to tin line operator, tin plating department at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, Yorkville plant, 1973-1995
• Lindstrom v. AC Products Liability Trust (2003). Merchant seaman, engine department at Ship deck winches, 1964-1994
• Bush v. Abex Corp. (1989). Reliability chemist at Delco Moraine Division, General Motors, Dayton, 1962-1987

Oregon

• Laux v. Akebono Brake Corp. (2021). Motorcycle shop co-owner and mechanic at Fred's Honda, Corvallis, 1961-2014
• Estate of Strametz v. Spectrum Motor., Inc. (1995). Auto mechanic at 24 years as an auto mechanic after his Navy discharge
• Matter of Compensation of Fossum (1982). Electrical worker at Willamette Western, 1969-1976

Other federal courts

• Wannall v. Honeywell, Inc. (2014). Helping friends, family, and neighbors perform automobile repairs at over 50 years
• Kurns v. AW Chesterton Inc. (2010). Welder, machinist, and supervisor at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, & Pacific Railroad facilities, 1947-1994
• In re Federal-Mogul Global, Inc. (2002). Manufacture, installation, repair, and/or use of friction products
• Jackson v. Anchor Packing Co. (1993). Tireworker at Mohawk Tire and Rubber Company plant, West Helena, 1963-79
• Kraciun v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. (1990). Machine operator and pipe fitter at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. plant, Clinton, Iowa, 1953 onward (except Navy 1954-1958)
• Murphree v. Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc. (1982). Service station mechanic and manager at 1950-1979
• Clutter v. Johns-Manville Sales Corp. (1981). Worked with asbestos-containing brake shoe linings at 1962-1964

Pennsylvania

• Smeal v. Clark Equipment Company (2022). Tool and parts attendant at New Cumberland Army Depot, 1976-2008
• Data v. AO Smith Corporation (2021). Laborer operating forklifts at Mesta Machine, New Castle, 1974-1982
• Gorton v. Air & Liquid Systems Corporation (2019). Maintaining personal and family vehicles at 1981-1982
• Gilbert v. Advance Auto Parts (2018). Auto mechanic at Alray Tire, Pittsburgh, 1975-1985
• Gorton v. Air & Liquid Systems Corp. (2018). Garage worker performing brake jobs at Olson Brothers garage, Corvallis, 1981-1982
• Rost v. Ford Motor Co. (2016). Gofer at a full service garage at Smith Motors, Washington, 1950
• Stellar v. Allied Signal, Inc. (2015). Steelworker; union bargaining unit member at Mack Trucks facility, Allentown
• Rost v. Ford Motor Company (2014). Dealership worker responsible for garage cleanliness at Ford dealership, 1950
• Smith v. Bmw OF North America LLC (2014). Child and young adult of an auto mechanic, visiting father's garage at his father's garage, Uttoxeter, 1967-1983
• Kurns v. Soo Line RR (2013). Welder and machinist at locomotive repair and maintenance facilities, 1947-1974
• Perry v. AW Chesterton, Inc. (2013). Installing and removing brake shoes on railcars
• Webber v. Ford Motor Company (2013). Changed brakes alongside his father and friends
• Betz v. Pneumo Abex LLC (2012). Automotive mechanic at forty-four year career
• Kurns v. Railroad Friction Products Corp. (2012). Welder and machinist at locomotive repair and maintenance facilities, 1947-1974
• Anderson v. Salmon Bay and Gravel Co. (In re Asbestos Products Liability Litigation) (2011). Career cement mason
• Betz v. Pneumo Abex LLC (2010). Automobile mechanic at 1946-1950, 1951-1953, 1953-1957, 1957-1989