The 2022 Ford Motor Company brake pad lawsuit was a big deal. In March of 2022, a personal injury lawsuit was decided in Judge Christopher McGraugh’s courtroom. The case provoked so much interest that it was live-streamed on the Courtroom View Network.
The CaseThe late William (Bill) Trokey worked as a gas station mechanic in the 1960s at a garage owned by his father. Trokey did a lot of brake jobs, and claimed that he was exposed to copious amounts of toxic dust that contained asbestos particles or “fibrils.” The asbestos fibrils were found in Ford Motor Company-installed brake pads.
When brake work was done, the brake pads had to be removed and the asbestos fibrils were released into the air. The fibrils could then be inhaled and/or ingested. Again, Bill did a lot of brake jobs and therefore inhaled a lot of nasty dust.
Bill Trokey was a dedicated father, loved cars, and enjoyed his work as an auto mechanic. He enlisted in the army and eventually worked at a St. Louis printing company for 35 years before retiring.
Trokey’s ClaimTrokey’s attorneys said that Ford knew that the brake pads they were using from 1960 to 1968 were dangerous because they contained asbestos. Trokey’s legal team also maintained that Ford just ignored the problem and kept using asbestos-laden brake pads.
Mesothelioma can take many years to develop and Trokey’s illness was finally diagnosed in 2020, almost 50 years after exposure. Ford’s lawyers claimed that Trokey must have gotten mesothelioma from some other source and pointed to the printing plant where he had been employed for 35 years.
Trokey’s lawyers said that Ford could have removed the brake pad asbestos for about $2.50 per vehicle, but refused to do so. According to testimony, Ford ignored irrefutable evidence about asbestos danger and Trokey’s lawyers produced an Ford internal memo from one manager to another that said “I don’t want you to give any indication outside the company that we have an asbestos problem.”
Ford’s RebuttalFord attorneys said that changing brake pads would not cause mesothelioma, that Trokey was not a long-time career mechanic, did a lot of odd jobs, and was not only a brake specialist as they tried to minimize the significance of the alleged asbestos exposure. Ford’s legal staff also claimed that they had bought brake pads from a third-party supplier and did not specify that asbestos should be used in the brake pad manufacturing process.
The VerdictThe jury felt differently, however, and awarded Trokey $10,000,000. The same jury awarded Trokey’s wife $10,000,000 also for loss of consortium. The trial took two weeks to complete.
St. Louis Asbestos Exposure SitesThe Throneberry Law Firm is a leader in asbestos-related legal issues. Just like the unfortunate Mr. Trokey, it is possible that you or a loved one were exposed to toxic asbestos particles years ago. Are you seeing a medical professional for your issues? Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Do you need guidance as to your next steps?
The Throneberry Law Group provides aggressive and compassionate support and representation for asbestos cancer victims. Call the experienced attorneys today at
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We are so appreciative of the results Michael Throneberry got for us! Michael Throneberry and the attorneys we worked with were focused on our peace of mind and seemed to care for my family and me as if we were family. They truly get it. We were thrilled with the result and would recommend this firm to anyone.
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