Document v6E8M0qOJqjpDn0L6bNnqd04E
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1 You will also hear from an individual by the 1 case Ford Motor Company responsible for Mr. Wood's
2 name of Arnold Anderson, and Mr. Anderson spent his 2 death because Ford Motor Company, the evidence will
3 entire work life working for Ford Motor Company.
3 show, is responsible for Mr. Wood developing this
4
These companies, Ford Motor Company in the
4 asbestos cancer and dying as a result of this asbestos
5 case of Mr. Wood, as well as the other companies, knew 5 cancer.
6 or should have known that asbestos was harmful and
6
In fact, some of the evidence will show you
7 they would have known that as far back as 1930 when 7 that Ford Motor Company's internal records show that
8 the first report was available showing that asbestos
8 they took precautions with respect to the brakes for
9 was linked to disease, and it does not matter that it
9 their own employees, but they did not care about the
10 was not linked to mesothelioma.
10 general population, the individuals like Mr. Wood and
11
They were on notice as far back as 1930 that
11 Mr. Grewe.
12 asbestos could cause a disease, and we know that even 12
And we will prove that they should have
13 prior to that in 1928, again. Ford Motor Company had a 13 cared, and when we return in closing argument, we are
14 medical library at that time.
14 going to ask you that you return a verdict for the
15
Ford Motor Company during the course of its
15 plaintiffs, for Mr. Wood, Mr. Grewe, and Mr.
16 selling brakes 1919 on up has probably sold tens of
16 Vandergucht.
17 millions of brakes on vehicles and with that there is
17
And we are going to ask you that you hold in
18 ample knowledge that they knew or should have known 18 the case of Mr. Wood, Ford Motor Company responsible
19 and accordingly, they should have put a warning on
19 for his death, and that in the cases of Mr. Wood, Mr.
20 their products which they did not do until 1980.
20 Vandergucht, and Mr. Grewe, to hold them, to hold
21
These deaths would have been preventable
21 these companies accountable for their deaths, their
1 with something as simple as a warning.
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1 pain, their suffering.
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2
We will also prove to you, another theory.
2
The case of Mr. Grewe, his lost wages, their
3 we will prove to you the brake linings of the Ford
3 medical bills, their funeral bills we believe that
4 Motor Company was unreasonably dangerous and
4 after you have heard all of the evidence, you will be
5 defective.
5 able to return a verdict for each and every plaintiff
6 Just breaking it down very simply to give
6 in this case.
7 you an analogy, it would be no different as if you go
7
Thank you.
8 into a store, go into a hardware store and buy paint
8
THE COURT: Thank you, Ms. Hines.
9 and you come out of the hardware store, you want to 9
MR. McGOWAN: Your Honor, may I have a
10 paint your house and you roll the paint on and that
10 moment just to change things around?
j
11 paint gives off fumes and years later as a result of
11
THE COURT: You may. We will only charge j
12 the fumes that that paint gives off, you develop a
12 you double time.
;
13 disease, a cancer.
13 (Whereupon, laughter ensued.)
14
That would be no different than what is in
14
MR. McGOWAN: May I proceed, ladies and
15 this case with asbestos.
15 gentlemen?
16 THE LAW CLERK: Five minutes, counsel. 16 THE COURT: Please.
17 MS. HINES: Thank you.
17 OPENING STATEMENTS
18 You would not expect that to happen. These 18 MR. McGOWAN: Thank you, Your Honor.
19 gentlemen did that expect that to happen in their work 19
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
20 lives working around asbestos either.
20 I think I introduced myself yesterday. My
21 We are going to ask you to hold in the Wood 21 name is Tim McGowan, and I represent Owens-Coming
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