Ford Motor Assessed 10 Percent Liability in $7 Million Verdict

LOS ANGELES -- A California jury has awarded $7 million in a case involving Ford Motor Co.'s asbestos-containing brake linings, sources told HarrisMartin. Russell, et al. v. Alcatel-Lucent Managed Solutions, et al., No. BC386030 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The Los Angeles County Superior Court jury reached the verdict on Aug. 28 and assessed 10 percent liability against the defendant.

The plaintiffs contended that John Russell, 72, developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure while employed as a delivery driver for an auto parts store. The plaintiffs said that Russell was exposed to asbestos in friction products while …