Auto & Brake Mechanics
Union locals: UAW (plants) · IAM (shops) · Independents
How Auto & Brake Mechanics Were Exposed to Asbestos
During normal duties, Auto & Brake Mechanics were routinely exposed to asbestos-containing materials in Wisconsin industrial, commercial, and public construction work from the 1930s through the 1980s. Documented exposure pathways drawn from public litigation records and industrial hygiene literature include:
- Blowing out brake drums with compressed air during brake jobs
- Grinding and arc-grinding asbestos brake linings to size
- Replacing asbestos clutch facings in cars and trucks
- Handling asbestos brake parts from major aftermarket suppliers
- Working with asbestos-containing gaskets on engines and manifolds
Why This Matters for Wisconsin Workers
If you worked as a auto & brake mechanics in Wisconsin during the asbestos era and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or pleural disease, you may have a legal claim — even if your employer is no longer in business. Many asbestos product manufacturers have established bankruptcy trust funds that continue to pay qualified claimants based on documented exposure history.
Wisconsin Filing Deadlines — Two Separate Clocks
Wisconsin keeps the personal-injury clock (Wis. Stat. § 893.54 — 3 years from diagnosis) and the wrongful-death clock (Wis. Stat. § 895.04 — 3 years from date of death) on separate, independent tracks. Preserving one does not extend the other. An experienced Wisconsin asbestos attorney can keep both options open as your situation evolves.
Talk to an Experienced Wisconsin Asbestos Attorney
A free, confidential consultation with O’Brien Law Firm can evaluate your specific exposure history and filing-deadline situation. No fee unless they recover compensation.
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