Meritor Cleared to Pursue $2 Billion Claim Against Eaton

A federal judge in Delaware has approved a plan by Meritor Inc. to submit expert testimony that could push the company's antitrust claim against Eaton Corp. to more than $2 billion, Bloomberg News reports.

Meritor won its case against Eaton in 2009 after a jury ruled Eaton had used special contracts and unfair rebates to stymie Meritor's ability to compete in the North American heavy truck transmission market. Bloomberg says Eaton controls 90% of that business.

Wednesday's court ruling rejected Eaton's request to block Meritor's from providing expert testimony that could enhance calculations of damages linked to lost profits. The judge said Eaton cannot block such testimony so close to the damages trial that will begin on Monday.

Meritor is seeking more than $800 million in damages. Bloomberg notes that any award would automatically be tripled under antitrust law.