Ford Must Pay $6 Million After Limousine Manufacturing Job Leads to Mesothelioma Death

Linda Behling was just 70 years old when she was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. A mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she had been exposed to Ford Motor Company brakes for decades, and her family blamed exposure to asbestos in those parts for her illness and subsequent death. After hearing two weeks of testimony, a Missouri state jury agreed and ordered the auto giant to pay $6 million in damages.

Mesothelioma Victim Was Exposed to Asbestos for Decades

According to testimony in the trial, before being diagnosed with mesothelioma Mrs. Behling had worked in a number of manufacturing environments, including years of employment with Executive Coach Builders. A statement by a family representative explained, “The limousine manufacturing company cut new Ford Towncars in half and converted the vehicles into limousines.” This exposed those working on the vehicles to significant amounts of asbestos in Ford’s brakes.

Pointing to the various materials, products, equipment, conditions, and activities of her job and of Ford’s failure to warn of the dangers of asbestos in its products, the mesothelioma victim’s family accused the company of negligence, willful/wanton misconduct, and strict liability. It took just three and a half hours for the jury hearing the trial in the Missouri Circuit Court to agree and award the family the compensation that they sought.

Ford Points to Other Companies Named in Mesothelioma Lawsuit

In its attempt to defend itself against being held liable for Mrs. Behling’s mesothelioma, Ford argued that her exposure to asbestos from their brakes was limited, and that there was insufficient proof linking their product to her illness. They noted the numerous other sources of asbestos she had suffered in her life from her other manufacturing work, and Certain Teed Corporation, Crown Cork and Seal, Crane Co., and General Electric were named during the trial. The jury made its decision that Ford was responsible and required to pay for her pain, suffering, and death.