Advance Auto Parts Inc. and over a dozen other manufacturing companies are facing an asbestos wrongful death claim from a grieving widow, claiming the companies failed to warn against auto mechanic health risks.

Plaintiff Janice R. is filing this asbestos wrongful death claim on behalf of her husband Gerald R., alleging Advance Auto Parts and the other companies named in the claim were aware of the potential auto mechanic health risks but failed to disclose them.

Janice says her husband was directly exposed to asbestos on a daily basis, but was unaware of the potential auto mechanic health risks, which ultimately resulted in his death.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used for numerous manufacturing and construction purposes for its fire and chemical resistant nature, with numerous companies and the United States military widely utilizing it before the 1980s.

During this time, the Environmental Protection Agency and other authorities implemented strict control measures. Even with these measures in place, it did not reverse the damage numerous veterans and industrial retirees sustained during their employment.

Overview of Asbestos Wrongful Death Disease

This was the case with the plaintiff’s husband, Gerald, who was allegedly exposed to asbestos in 1967 when he began working as a ship fitter at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He worked at this location until 1979, and had performed a variety of construction and remodeling jobs. In addition, Gerald had also regularly performed home automotive repair work throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Through the course of these periods, the complaint alleges that Gerald was facing serious auto mechanic health risks on a daily basis that ultimately contributed to his death. According to the asbestos wrongful death claim, Gerald was diagnosed with asbestos lung disease on Feb. 15, 2017. However, the diagnosis was made at a late stage, with Gerald dying just months later on July 26, 2017.

Unfortunately, this experience is not uncommon in those who sustained regular asbestos exposure during the course of their employment, with mesothelioma being a particular auto mechanic health risk.

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of asbestos cancer, which occurs when asbestos fibers become lodged in the membranes around the lungs. These fibers eventually fester into cancer cells, but often take up to 50 years to show any symptoms. Asbestos cancer occurs in a similar manner, but the fibers become lodged in the organ itself. Auto mechanic health risks are particularly high regarding asbestos exposure, because manufacturing companies often utilized asbestos for insulation purposes like piping.

This made asbestos very popular during World War II, when the United States military had implemented asbestos in many of their Navy ships. Asbestos fibers can either be inhaled or swallowed once released into the environment, but are harmless if dormant. However, family members and loved ones of these employees may also be at risk for these health problems, due to second hand asbestos exposure.

Due to the severity of asbestos auto mechanic health risks, manufacturing companies are required to disclose potential exposure to the general public. Janice alleges Advance Auto Parts Inc. and the other companies failed to warn her husband against asbestos auto mechanic health risks, which ultimately contributed to his death.

This Asbestos Wrongful Death Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-00605 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.