Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

On Christmas Eve, Ford Australia dropped its appeal against a landmark decision by a Perth court to award Antonino Lo Presti $840,000 in compensation for exposure to asbestos when he worked as a mechanic at two Ford dealerships during the 1970s and 1980’s. 

 

After years of litigation, the Supreme Court ruling was handed down last February, making Mr. Lo Presti the first motor mechanic in Australia to win a successful negligence verdict against a major car company for exposure to asbestos. Ford immediately appealed the ruling.

 

Mr. Lo Presti serviced brakes and was exposed to asbestos when he inhaled fibers from the linings without any protective gear. Judge Andrew Beech said Ford should have been aware of the dangers posed by this exposure and provided more adequate measures to insure the safety of their workers. Inhalation of asbestos can lead to serious lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

 

Mr. Lo Presti was diagnosed in the late 1990’s with asbestosis, a fatal lung disease that causes build up of fluids in the lung and results in cancer. Some asbestosis symptoms include:

 

·         Shortness of breath

·         Decreased tolerance for physical activity

·         Coughing

·         Chest pain

 

The same day that Mr. Lo Presti was taken to the hospital due to difficulty in breathing and build-up of fluid on his lungs, he and his family heard of Ford’s decision to drop the appeal. They were relieved to hear the news and hope they can put an end to their long legal battle.