AutoZone 

AutoZone & Asbestos Exposure

Joseph R. “Pitt” Hyde III founded Auto Shack in 1979, offering new and remanufactured parts, maintenance items, car accessories, and basic diagnostic services. The company rebranded as AutoZone in 1987 and, by 1989, had grown into the third-largest auto parts retailer in the United States.

Although AutoZone never manufactured asbestos products, it sold asbestos-containing automotive parts produced by companies like BorgWarner and Federal-Mogul until the 1980s. The company also assumed additional asbestos liabilities after acquiring American Discount Auto Parts in 1998.

Asbestos was widely used in the automotive industry for its heat resistance and durability. Even though AutoZone’s involvement with asbestos was shorter than that of many manufacturers and retailers, the company remains accountable for the risks associated with the hazardous products it distributed.

Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was widely used by manufacturers throughout much of the 20th century because of its valuable properties: nonconductivity, durability, and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. However, asbestos is also highly dangerous, and prolonged exposure is linked to several life-threatening diseases.

Asbestos-related illnesses include:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural effusions
• Other forms of cancer

All six varieties of asbestos break down into thin, durable strands that easily become airborne when disturbed or handled. These particles can remain suspended in the air in poorly ventilated areas for hours, allowing unsuspecting workers to inhale or ingest them. 

Asbestos fibers that enter the body can persist for decades, causing irritation, scarring, and DNA damage. This damage can lead to severe illnesses, including mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer. Mesothelioma develops in the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue surrounding internal organs.

The cost of treating mesothelioma is substantial, often averaging around $400,000 per year out of pocket for patients. This steep financial burden makes treatment inaccessible for many unless they are able to secure compensation from the corporations responsible for their asbestos exposure.

Financial Compensation From AutoZone 

Because AutoZone has not declared bankruptcy, it does not have a trust fund available to compensate victims of asbestos-related injuries. Therefore, victims seeking compensation from

AutoZone must file a lawsuit. Injured workers and their family members can pursue compensation through two main types of legal action:

• Personal injury lawsuit: Allows living victims of asbestos exposure to seek compensation for their losses.
• Wrongful death lawsuit: Allows the dependents or family members of deceased asbestos exposure victims to recover damages for the loss of their loved one.

It’s not unusual for victims of asbestos exposure to qualify for compensation from more than one company. In fact, according to Mealey’s Litigation Report, the average number of defendants named in an asbestos lawsuit is 65. 

You can hold negligent businesses accountable and maximize your financial recovery by identifying and pursuing compensation from every company responsible for your asbestos exposure. If that process seems overwhelming, don’t worry. An experienced asbestos attorney is prepared to help you navigate all the complexities of an asbestos personal injury lawsuit.

A good asbestos lawyer can also help you identify other potential sources of financial assistance, such as:

• Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Asbestos trust funds
• Workers’ compensation
• Treatment grants

Asbestos Lawsuits Against AutoZone 

AutoZone is rarely named as the sole or primary defendant in asbestos lawsuits because it did not manufacture asbestos products; these claims typically involve multiple companies. Nevertheless, victims are taking action to hold AutoZone responsible for the damage it has caused.

Geraldina Morin

After Geraldina Morin died from mesothelioma, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against AutoZone and several other companies. Morin was exposed to asbestos fibers at Bedford Fruit, where mechanics worked on vehicles using asbestos-containing brake and clutch parts that were purchased from American Discount Auto Parts, which was acquired by AutoZone in 1998. 

The court initially granted summary judgment dismissing some claims, but reversed the dismissal against AutoZone and one other defendant on appeal, allowing the case to move forward.  

David Barton

David Barton was exposed to asbestos-containing products sold by AutoZone during his employment at the company from 2001 to 2002, and also through personal automobile brake and clutch repair work he performed during the 1980s. 

After Barton’s death from mesothelioma, his wife filed a wrongful death claim against AutoZone and several other asbestos companies. AutoZone sought summary judgment to have the case dismissed and was partially successful. However, the case was ultimately allowed to proceed.

Thomas Kimmons

The case of Thomas Kimmons was part of broader asbestos litigation involving multiple companies (such as Johnson & Johnson, Borg-Warner, Federal-Mogul, Union Carbide, and many more) responsible for asbestos exposure cases across the U.S. 

Mr. Kimmons claimed that AutoZone’s responsibility for his mesothelioma stemmed from the sale of asbestos-containing Federal-Mogul gaskets. However, the case was dismissed in 2022.

Asbestos-Containing Products Used at AutoZone 

AutoZone sold asbestos-containing automotive parts manufactured by other companies, including Federal-Mogul and Borg-Warner, though AutoZone itself did not manufacture these products.

Asbestos-containing products sold by AutoZone include:

• Brake systems/parts
• Clutch systems/parts
• Gaskets

Occupations At-Risk

​​Although it did not directly produce asbestos goods, AutoZone’s broad reach as a popular automotive parts retailer put both employees and consumers at risk. 

High-risk occupations and groups include:

• Auto mechanics
• Car enthusiasts/hobbyists
• Shop employees

Secondary exposure also puts the family members and loved ones of asbestos industry workers at significant risk for asbestos-related diseases. Because asbestos fibers easily cling to hair, skin, and clothing, many workers unknowingly carried the dangerous material into their homes.

Get Help Today 

Although AutoZone’s asbestos involvement was shorter than that of many other manufacturers and retailers, the company still played a role in exposing employees and consumers to dangerous, cancer-causing products.

Victims of AutoZone’s asbestos activities face the same physical, emotional, and financial burdens as those harmed by any other negligent asbestos company, and they deserve equal access to justice and compensation.

If you or someone you love has been affected, the Mesothelioma Fund can help connect you with vital support. Our partners at Meirowitz & Wasserberg have decades of experience handling complex asbestos claims. Their team of dedicated litigation specialists has the resources, skill, and proven success needed to pursue compensation from major corporations.

There’s no reason to delay. You can speak directly with a member of our team at no cost to learn about your eligibility and the potential value of your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

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