Texas Jury Awards $79,000 to Shade-Tree Mechanic Following Disputed Lung Cancer Claim

DALLAS - A former shade-tree mechanic who claimed that he contracted lung cancer following exposure to asbestos-containing automotive clutch parts has been awarded $79,000 by a Texas jury. Prather v. Borg-Warner Corp., No. 99-05547-E (Texas Dist. Ct., Dallas Cty.).

Jurors in Dallas County returned the verdict March 15 after about two weeks of trial. Plaintiff Joseph Prather sued several defendants in 1999, alleging asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaques. By the time the case went to trial, only Borg-Warner remained as a defendant.

Borg-Warner argued that prior to filing his complaint, Prather had received a bronchoscopy that revealed abnormal …