Dana Corporation made asbestos automotive parts that major carmakers used, exposing workers and mechanics to higher cancer risks. The asbestos manufacturer was named in mesothelioma lawsuits and sold off parts of the company, known as corporate divestiture, to resolve its legal liability.
Overview of Dana Corporation Asbestos Compensation
Dana Corporation is still active despite a 2006 bankruptcy. Dana Corporation had dealt with 88,000 asbestos claims by 2005. Unlike other companies that made asbestos products, Dana settled many of these claims during bankruptcy but didn’t create a trust fund for future cases. Without a trust fund, people exposed to its asbestos products still file lawsuits today.
Key Facts About Asbestos Claims Involving Dana Corporation
Asbestos-related debt comprised only 3% of the company’s debt and wasn’t the main reason for the 2006 bankruptcy.
Because of the low percentage of asbestos-related debt, the court didn’t require Dana to set up a trust fund for future asbestos claims.
The bankruptcy process didn’t cancel the Dana Corporation’s liability for past or future asbestos exposure cases.
People with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from Dana Corporation’s asbestos brake linings and gaskets continue to file lawsuits.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer after working at Dana Corporation or handling the company’s asbestos products, you and your family should speak to an experienced legal professional to explore your compensation options. You may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuits and negotiate a settlement with the help of a lawyer.
Legal Help for People Exposed to Dana Corporation Asbestos Products
Depending on the details of your case against Dana Corporation, a mesothelioma lawyer can help you file a personal injury lawsuit, wrongful death lawsuit or workers’ compensation claim against the company. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
It’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. The time limit or statute of limitation to file a lawsuit varies in each state but is usually 1 to 3 years from the date of your mesothelioma diagnosis. A skilled mesothelioma attorney can guide you and your family through your available legal options.
Choosing a lawyer can feel daunting, but Patient Advocates can match you with a lawyer who has a record of success with cases like yours. They can also connect you with top doctors, schedule appointments, manage insurance, file VA benefits claims, help you join support groups and access available financial help.
Exposed to Asbestos at Dana Corporation?
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Juries have ruled against Dana Corporation for more than $80 million. Those exposed to the company’s asbestos products continue to file lawsuits.
One of Dana’s strategies to manage asbestos claims after bankruptcy was to create a separate business entity called Dana Companies, LLC. In 2008, this company assumed all liabilities for asbestos-related lawsuits. In 2016, Dana Corporation sold off Dana Companies to a firm that specializes in handling asbestos litigation.
Notable Asbestos Lawsuits Against Dana Corporation
$75 million: Marlena Robaey was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2012. She had helped her husband, Edward, fix cars with asbestos parts for more than 20 years. A New York jury found Dana Corporation 40% responsible for her mesothelioma and awarded $75 million in damages.
$5 million: The court awarded this amount to the daughter of former pipefitter Louis Hicks in 2003. Hicks had filed his claim in 2002, but when he passed away from mesothelioma, his daughter continued the case. Dana Corporation was one of 11 companies named in the suit.
Franklin V. Dana Companies, LLC: This ongoing lawsuit involves Ray Franklin, a mechanic who passed away from respiratory failure related to asbestos exposure. His daughter, Donna Franklin, continued the case. On two occasions, judges have rejected Dana Corporation’s request to dismiss the lawsuit.
Lawsuits against multiple manufacturers: Individuals have included Dana Corporation and other asbestos product manufacturers in recent personal injury lawsuits, such as Webb et al v. 3M Company et al (June 2022) and Gillis v. Air & Liquid Systems Corporation (October 2022).
Patients who develop mesothelioma can still file claims against Dana Companies, LLC. The organization has financial assets and insurance coverage to pay out compensation. Worker claims have led to large verdicts against Dana Corporation, but the majority of mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement agreement.
Dana Corporation’s Connection to Asbestos
Dana Corporation’s history dates back to 1904. It started as the Spicer Company, a car parts business in Plainfield, New Jersey. It used asbestos in its products early on. In 1916, businessman Charles Dana invested in the company and eventually became president.
In 1928, the company moved its manufacturing operations to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1946, it rebranded as Dana Corporation. In the 1960s, Dana expanded its product line, purchasing several other car parts manufacturers, including Victor Manufacturing & Gasket Company.
Victor already produced gaskets with asbestos before Data Corporation acquired it. Through its new Victor Products Division, Dana continued selling asbestos-containing seals and gaskets under the brand names of Asbestopac, Corbestos, Victor and others. The company didn’t phase out asbestos gaskets completely until the early 1980s.
The global manufacturer specializes in powertrain parts, such as transmissions, axles and driveshafts for automobiles and commercial vehicles. Mesothelioma patients and their families can still take legal action.
Dana Corporation’s Asbestos Products
Throughout its history, Dana Corporation has produced and sold auto parts. Up until the 1980s, many of those products contained asbestos. These toxic minerals can withstand high heat, rust damage and chemicals, which made asbestos a popular material in the auto industry.
Data Corporation Products Involved in Asbestos Exposure
Brake linings
Gaskets
Sheet gaskets
Spraycraft fireproofing
Valve covers
Over the years, Dana made parts for well-known automakers, including Ford, GMC, Buick and Oldsmobile. It also produced parts for Mack Trucks and farming equipment manufacturers.
Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From Dana Corporation?
Laborers who worked with or near Dana products containing asbestos could inhale harmful dust and fibers. For many years, Dana Corporation made asbestos-containing products for automobiles, trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. Any mechanics who installed or replaced affected parts may have been exposed, and mesothelioma can take many decades to develop.
Occupations That Came Into Contact With Asbestos Products From Dana Corporation
Automotive assembly line workers
Auto mechanics and brake technicians
Dana manufacturing plant workers
Engine mechanics
Bolier workers
Steamfitters
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted the health risks of chrysotile asbestos in automotive brakes. Exposure puts workers at risk of mesothelioma, lung, ovarian and laryngeal cancers from inhaling the dangerous material over time.
If these laborers carried any asbestos fibers home on their skin, hair or clothing, their family members could face risks of secondary asbestos exposure. Loved ones who were exposed this way can also develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, and they can also file claims against Dana Corporation.
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D. Carl Money is an attorney at Nemeroff Law. He has devoted his career to fighting for workers diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. Money has more than 25 years of experience fighting for people with asbestos-related diseases. He’s licensed in Texas, New York, England and Wales and belongs to various legal organizations across the U.S. and U.K.
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