The law firm of Lipsitz & Ponterio, LLC is announcing a total of $3.5 million in settlements on behalf of a Buffalo, NY man against several distributors and manufacturers of automotive and truck parts. The plaintiff was previously employed as an automobile and truck mechanic.

Beginning in 1979, our client was exposed to asbestos fibers, dust and particles when he installed and replaced automotive and truck parts which contained asbestos. For the next two decades, he held numerous jobs in which he was repeatedly exposed to harmful asbestos-containing products. From 1980 to 1990, the plaintiff worked with and around large brake linings used for trucks. During this period, it was well known that asbestos caused mesothelioma and other cancers. Despite this knowledge, the defendants failed to protect this young man. In 2007, the plaintiff, age 48, began noticing shortness of breath and flu-like symptoms. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with stage four malignant mesothelioma.

The $3.5 million dollar settlement will insure the financial future of the plaintiff’s two children who are minors. A portion of this settlement will also help to defray costs of the plaintiff’s medical treatment that he is currently undergoing as a result of mesothelioma.