Ohio Asbestos Lawsuit

Ohio is a center for steel production in the United States. It’s also home to industries like power generation, automotive manufacturing, electrical equipment manufacturing and metal fabrication. Unfortunately, these and other industries have exposed workers to asbestos.

Ohio consistently ranks high for mesothelioma cases and deaths. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) places the state at:

• Seventh in the nation for mesothelioma diagnoses from 1999 to 2022
• Sixth in the nation for mesothelioma-related deaths from 2018 to 2023

Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma.

Asbestos use peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most new uses of the substance nationwide. In Ohio, the state EPA regulates asbestos emissions during demolitions and renovations. The agency addresses issues such as safe work practices and guidelines for safe disposal.

Asbestos-related health risks

Inhaling asbestos fibers is linked to the development of asbestos-related diseases:

• Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung condition characterized by lung scarring (fibrosis). It causes shortness of breath, persistent coughing and chest tightness. It also increases the risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.
• Lung cancer: Workers and other individuals who have been exposed to asbestos are at increased risk for asbestos-related lung cancer. 
• Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the tissue around the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Nearly all cases relate to asbestos exposure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and fluid buildup. There is no cure for mesothelioma, and it’s ultimately fatal.

If you were exposed to asbestos and develop signs of an asbestos-related illness, see your doctor immediately. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition linked to the substance, you may be eligible for an Ohio asbestos lawsuit.

Before bans, asbestos was used to make a wide range of building and construction materials. These asbestos products included insulation, flooring, roofing materials and electrical components. Anyone who works on older buildings could be exposed to asbestos if it is disturbed. 

Construction, maintenance and demolition workers are not the only ones at risk. There are many industrial and manufacturing sites in Ohio where workers could have suffered occupational asbestos exposure. These locations include, but are not limited to:

• Oil refineries: Because of its natural resistance to heat and fire, asbestos was commonly used in oil refineries. Ohio has a long history of oil and gas production. Exposure could have occurred at multiple locations, including Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s Canton refinery, the PFB Toledo refinery and the Husky Lima Refinery.
• Power plants: You may also find asbestos in power generation facilities. Ohio is home to several large coal-fired power plants, including the Cardinal Plant, the Kyger Creek Plant and Gavin plants in Gallia County, the Miami Fort plant in Hamilton County and the Painesville plant in Lake County.
• Landfills: The Ohio EPA permits more than 20 landfills to accept regulated asbestos-containing materials. These are located in Athens, Logan, Muskingum, Pike, Richland, Stark and Wood. 
• Shipyards: Asbestos was once commonly used in shipbuilding, and shipyards may be a point of exposure. There are several Ohio shipyards along the Great Lakes and the Ohio River. These include the Toledo Shipyard, Sheridan Shipyard and Great Lakes Shipyard.
• Steel mills: Steel milling is another industry that used to use asbestos in Ohio., Mill and sheet metal workers could have been exposed at facilities including the massive Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works. 
• Superfund sites: Superfund sites are locations that have been contaminated with dangerous substances. They pose a hazard to human health and have been targeted by the EPA for cleanup. Ohio is home to the Wisco Warehouse Asbestos Site in Cleveland. The 2.5-acre site resulted from the improper demolition of a 44,000-square-foot building that contained asbestos. 

Workers may be able to seek compensation for Ohio asbestos exposure in several ways: 

• Asbestos bankruptcy trust claim: Over 100 companies that once made asbestos products have gone bankrupt, largely due to mass tort asbestos lawsuits, including class actions and multidistrict litigations. The courts ordered these companies to create bankruptcy trusts to pay ongoing claims. If you were exposed by an asbestos company with an active trust, you may be eligible for payment. Funds base compensation on the type of injury and your injury severity.
• Individual personal injury lawsuit: Individuals can file individual suits against asbestos companies that are still solvent. These cases are very technical and fact-specific. 
• Workers’ compensation claim: If the employer that exposed you carries workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to file a claim for your medical treatment and some of your lost wages. Family members of deceased workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits. 
• Wrongful death lawsuit: Family members of deceased workers may also be able to file individual wrongful death lawsuits. As with personal injury claims, these cases are complex and usually require significant evidence, including historical research and eyewitness testimony. 

To be eligible for a claim or lawsuit, you must have evidence proving when, where and for how long you suffered asbestos exposure. Typically, this will include records verifying your employment history and the presence of asbestos on your job site. You’ll also need a medical diagnosis and records showing you have an asbestos-related disease. 

A Motley Rice workplace asbestos exposure lawyer can help you gather evidence and build your case. 

Statutes of limitations for asbestos lawsuits in Ohio

The statute of limitations sets a time limit for how long you have to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death. In Ohio, the law allows two years for most cases. Typically, the clock starts at the time of injury. However, with an asbestos lawsuit, the clock starts when you receive a diagnosis for an asbestos-related disease. 

It can take up to 10 to 40 years to develop asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Therefore, you may still be eligible for an Ohio asbestos lawsuit, even if your exposure occurred many years ago. A Motley Rice mesothelioma lawyer in Ohio could review your claim and explain how case deadlines may affect you.

Motley Rice attorneys have experience in asbestos litigation. Our firm has a long history of holding companies accountable for harming individuals, workers and families. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable asbestos lawyer to handle Ohio lawsuits, our law firm may be able to serve you. Our team includes:

• Anne McGinness Kearse: Anne has over two decades of experience in complex litigation. She has advocated for workers harmed by occupational asbestos exposure, as well as individuals harmed by household exposure. 
• John E. Herrick: For over 30 years, John has represented people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. He is a leader in Motley Rice’s occupational disease practice. 
• Meredith Kay Clark: Meredith litigates for victims of workplace and secondhand asbestos exposure. She has also assisted on numerous other cases involving toxic exposure injuries.

For decades, Motley Rice has been a leader in asbestos litigation. We have assisted thousands in seeking compensation for harm caused by asbestos exposure, and we bring understanding and compassion to every case. We have experience with asbestos bankruptcy trust claims and asbestos lawsuits, and we are here to help you get justice. 

Contact us online or call 1.800.768.4026 today to discuss your legal options. 

Read more on our asbestos exposure litigation experience.