A jury has ordered General Motors to pay $2 million to a retired mechanic who was exposed to asbestos through his work and developed serious asbestos-related illnesses as a result.
The plaintiff, Roland Leo Grenier, Sr., represented by attorneys Scott R. Frieling and Rick Nemeroff, filed the lawsuit in New Castle County Superior Court against General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and several other manufacturers.
“Mr. Grenier had no idea that the products he used while providing for his wife and children would later threaten his life, “said Nemeroff. “It’s gratifying to see that the jury agreed that these companies should be held responsible for the pain and suffering caused by their products.”
The Trial
In the trial, the jury listened to testimony outlining how Mr. Grenier was exposed to asbestos over the 35 years he worked as an auto mechanic and general laborer.
In his work, Mr. Grenier had to use several products that contained asbestos and were manufactured by Ford or General Motors. These products included brake and clutch components.
Testimony revealed that GM and Ford officials knew about the dangers asbestos posed but continued to use it and did nothing to protect Mr. Grenier.
The Disease
In 2005, Grenier was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lung lining caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos.
The effects of asbestos exposure do not usually become obvious until many years after the exposure. In Grenier’s case, it took 25 years.
The Verdict
General Motors was found 70 percent liable for Mr. Grenier’s mesothelioma, while Ford was found 16 percent liable, and seven other defendant companies were found two percent liable. The $2 million in compensatory damages will paid by each defendant accordingly.
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