Son of Auto Worker Files Asbestos Suit

December 12, 2006 - The widow of a man whose father worked for Ford Motor Company while he was growing up has fulfilled her late husband’s wishes by filing suit against Ford and 108 additional defendants in an attempt to avenge his death from asbestos-related disease.

Connie Moore, of Oregon, claims her late husband, Ronald Moore, was employed from 1961 to 1980 at various locations as a mechanic, laborer and bricklayer.  His father was employed at Ford from 1942-1948.  Mrs. Moore alleges that her father-in-law worked with and around asbestos-containing products.

"Dust created by working with and around asbestos and asbestos-containing products would permeate the person and clothing of the plaintiff's family members," the complaint states. "This dust contained asbestos fiber."

Moore told the Madison County Record that her late husband’s father would return home each day with his overalls covered in asbestos dust and that Mr. Moore and his siblings would play with their dad before he changed clothes, oblivious of the dangerous substance they were inhaling.

The complaint alleges that “the defendants failed to require and advise their employees of hygiene practices designed to reduce or prevent carrying asbestos fibers home.”

As a result of the alleged negligence, Moore claims “Ronald was exposed to fibers containing asbestos and developed a disease caused only by asbestos, which disabled and disfigured him.”

Moore also claims that she has sought, but has been unable to obtain, “full disclosure of relevant documents and information from the defendants leading her to believe the defendants destroyed documents related to asbestos.”

Moore is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $700,000, plus punitive damages.

"An award of punitive damages is appropriate and necessary in order to punish defendants for their willful, wanton, intentional and/or reckless misconduct and to deter defendants and others from engaging in like misconduct in the future," said Moore’s lawyer Nicholas Angelides.