New York Appeals Court Upholds $3.3 Million Ford Asbestos Brake Verdict

A New York appeals court has upheld a $3.3 million verdict against Ford Motor Company in an asbestos lawsuit brought by a former dealership parts department worker diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma decades after his exposure to Ford’s brake products.

Background

Joseph Skrzynski worked in the parts department of a Ford dealership from 1975 to 1980, where he regularly handled brake components manufactured by Ford. In 2021, he was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the abdominal lining linked to asbestos exposure.

Court records show that Ford’s brake components contained between 25% and 50% chrysotile asbestos. Testing by an environmental scientist established that handling those brakes released toxic dust into the air, creating an inhalation hazard for workers like Skrzynski.

Jury Findings

The jury determined that Ford’s brake products were a “significant contributing factor” in Skrzynski’s peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. Jurors also found that Ford was negligent in failing to warn dealership workers about the risks of asbestos in its brake components, and returned a verdict of $3.3 million in damages.

Appeal Rejected

Ford challenged the verdict on appeal, but the appellate court rejected the company’s arguments and affirmed the jury’s findings. The ruling leaves the $3.3 million award intact.

The case adds to a long history of asbestos litigation against Ford and other automakers whose brake, clutch, and gasket products contained asbestos through much of the twentieth century. Parts department employees and mechanics who handled those components regularly were among those with documented exposure.