Wagner Asbestos Brake Products — Asbestos Exposure Risk
Last verified: March 14, 2026Product Overview
Wagner Electric, later acquired by Federal-Mogul, manufactured asbestos-containing brake pads, shoes, and linings sold through auto parts stores and repair shops nationwide. Federal-Mogul filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and established an asbestos trust fund that compensates claims related to Wagner and other Federal-Mogul brake products.
Common Uses
- Brake pads
- Brake shoes
- Brake linings
- Drum brake components
Industries Affected
- Automotive repair
- Auto parts distribution
- Fleet maintenance
Manufacturer
Wagner Electric (Federal-Mogul)
Produced this product from approximately 1930s–1990s using chrysotile asbestos.
Asbestos Type
Chrysotile
Chrysotile (white asbestos) is the most commonly used form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of asbestos in buildings worldwide.
Applicable Trust Fund
Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust — View Trust Fund Details
Were You Exposed to Wagner Asbestos Brake Products?
If you or a family member worked with this product and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case at no cost.
Your Legal Rights
Workers and family members who were exposed to Wagner Asbestos Brake Products and subsequently developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related conditions may have several legal options available:
- Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — If the manufacturer established a bankruptcy trust, eligible claimants can file for compensation without going to court.
- Mesothelioma Lawsuits — Personal injury lawsuits can be filed against manufacturers and other responsible parties to seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Wrongful Death Claims — Family members of individuals who died from asbestos-related diseases may file wrongful death claims.
- Veterans Benefits — Military veterans exposed to asbestos products during service may qualify for VA disability benefits and healthcare.
Statutes of limitations restrict the time you have to file a claim. It is important to consult with an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Wagner Asbestos Brake Products contain asbestos?
Yes. Wagner Asbestos Brake Products, manufactured by Wagner Electric (Federal-Mogul), contained chrysotile asbestos. The product was produced from approximately 1930s–1990s and was used in brake pads, brake shoes, brake linings. Workers who manufactured, installed, maintained, or removed this product may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
Can I file a claim for Wagner Asbestos Brake Products exposure?
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease after exposure to Wagner Asbestos Brake Products, you may be eligible to file a legal claim. The Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust may provide compensation for eligible claimants. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can evaluate your exposure history and determine your legal options at no cost. Contact Danziger & De Llano at 1-800-400-1805 for a free case review.
The company that made this no longer exists. Who actually pays?
The liability did not disappear with the company. Wagner Electric (Federal-Mogul) is connected to the Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, a fund set aside during bankruptcy specifically to pay asbestos claims. Claims are filed against the trust rather than against a trading business, which is why a product discontinued decades ago can still support a claim today. Successor companies and their insurers can also remain liable separately from the trust.
I used this product but have no receipts or records. Does that end it?
No. Nobody keeps receipts for brake parts or gaskets bought forty years ago, and claims are not decided on them. What carries weight is your own account of where you worked, when, and what you handled — supported by a Social Security earnings statement, which lists every employer you had by year and can be requested directly, plus union records or a DD-214 for military service. Write down what you remember before looking anything up.
My father or husband worked with this and has since died. Can the family still file?
Yes. A wrongful death claim can be brought by the estate or by eligible family members, and it is a separate route from the claim the person would have brought themselves. It also runs on a different clock — the deadline generally starts at the date of death rather than the date of diagnosis, so families are sometimes still in time when they assume they are not. Deadlines are set by each state, so confirm the one that applies to yours.
I never handled it myself, but someone in my house did. Could I have been exposed?
Possibly. Asbestos fibres travelled home on work clothes, in hair and in vehicles, and household members were exposed while washing laundry or greeting someone at the end of a shift. This is called secondhand or take-home exposure and it is a recognised basis for a claim in its own right, not an exception.
Recognise this product? Write down what you remember
You do not need a diagnosis, a lawyer, or a decision to do this — and it is worth doing while you still remember clearly. Write it in your own words, before you read anything else:
- Where you used or handled it — employer, job site, or your own garage
- Roughly which years, and how often
- What the packaging or the part looked like, and what you called it at the time
- Who else was there — anyone who could confirm it later
- Whether dust was involved — grinding, sanding, cutting, or blowing parts out with an airline
Write what you actually recall rather than what you can look up. Details you produce yourself are what hold up years later; details taken from a website do not. If you are doing this for a relative who has died, write down what you remember too, including work clothes brought home to be washed.
Related Brakes & Clutches Products
This product profile is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Product formulations varied over time, and not all units of a product necessarily contained asbestos. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this information. Always consult with a qualified mesothelioma attorney and medical professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Get a Free Wagner Asbestos Brake Products Exposure Case Review
If you or a loved one was exposed to Wagner Asbestos Brake Products and diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our attorneys can help you understand your legal options at no cost or obligation.
Or call us 24/7: 1-800-400-1805