Ford Motor Company Plants and Factories

The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 in Dearborn, Michigan by Henry Ford. More than a century later, the corporation now has 166,000 employees and 70 plants worldwide. In 2005, it sold 2.9 million vehicles. In addition to its Ford brand, the company also owns Lincoln.

Ford boasts a momentous history. Its production of the Model T in the early 1900s created significant changes in the American lifestyle. The car’s production utilized an assembly line system to streamline manufacturing and decrease costs. It was during the same era that the company more than doubled wages for its employees. The $5 daily pay helped build the U.S. middle class.

The company also produced supplies for the U.S. Navy in World War I, such as submarine chasers, tanks and cars. Later, it completely shut down commercial productions during World War II to focus on meeting government needs. By 1945, Ford produced 80 percent of all B-24 bomber planes, manufacturing at a rate of one plane per hour.

Asbestos Use and Litigation

Ford has used asbestos throughout its history, most notably including the substance in brake pads and clutches. Although executives knew that asbestos was dangerous, the company continued its worldwide use of the mineral without warning its customers or employees. This decision put people at risk to develop asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

One such individual was Antonio Lo Presti of Perth, Australia, who worked as a mechanic for Ford in the 1970s and 1980s. His exposure to asbestos in Ford products led to his development of asbestosis. He brought a lawsuit against Ford Australia in 2002, two years after being diagnosed.

Ford was found to be negligent, and after a six-year legal battle, Lo Presti and his family were awarded $840,000 (AUD) in damages. Lo Presti was the first mechanic in Australia to win an asbestos suit against a car company. Ford Australia appealed the decision but quickly dropped it.

Ford has been the defendant in many other asbestos-related lawsuits. Most cases are brought by former Ford employees who were later diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Former Ford mechanics are at an especially high risk to become sick since they regularly worked with brakes and other automobile parts.

Treatment & Legal Options for Mechanics

If you worked for Ford Motors, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Be aware if you develop respiratory problems such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, as these could be signs of an asbestos-related disease.

If you would like to be tested, contact a mesothelioma specialist. You can find doctor convenient to your location using the Doctor Match program. If you have already been diagnosed and would like to discuss treatment options, contact a Patient and Family Advocate at 800-615-2270.