C.A. 2nd;
B245037

The Second Appellate District affirmed a judgment. The court held that an automobile manufacturer could not be held liable under a design defect theory of liability for manufacturing a product that was compatible with other manufacturers' asbestos-containing replacement parts.

Marline Petitpas and her husband Joseph sued Ford Motor Company and others, alleging that Marline contracted mesothelioma as the result of exposure to asbestos dust carried by Joseph from his work in automotive shops and at construction sites. They argued, among other things, that Ford was liable for Marline's injuries because the cars it manufactured were designed with braking systems intended to be used with asbestos brake linings, even if Ford did not manufacture or supply the asbestos-containing replacement brake linings that were used in Ford cars. Certain of plaintiffs' claims were decided against them prior to trial. Following a jury trial, their remaining claims were also decided in favor of the defendants.