Ohio Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing a Claim in Ohio

Ohio has been one of the nation’s most active states in the area of asbestos litigation reform. By 2000, Ohio was one of only five states that accounted for more than two-thirds of the country’s new asbestos-related case filings.

This distinction prompted Ohio lawmakers to tackle asbestos tort reform. Ohio now is considered a leader in limiting the number of active asbestos claims.

Trust fund claims operate outside of the state court system, but certain laws in Ohio affect plaintiffs who qualify to file a lawsuit and a trust claim.

Veterans in Ohio who develop mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the military may file a VA claim for benefits. They also have access to VA health care in the state.

Asbestos litigation in Ohio is complex. Plaintiffs should consider working with experienced mesothelioma lawyers in order to have the best chance of receiving the highest compensation for their specific claim.

Asbestos Exposure in Ohio

Ohio is No. 6 in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths. The state’s high ranking is attributed to Ohio’s rich industrial and manufacturing history.

Workers in Ohio have been exposed to asbestos products in manufacturing plants, power generation plants, refineries, factories, mills and construction sites.

Family members of asbestos workers faced the risk of secondary exposure when their loved ones unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their work clothes.

Ohio Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma Law Firms Practicing in Ohio

Nationwide firms know the best state in which to file your claim because they’ve handled many different types of cases across the country.

More than half of all mesothelioma plaintiffs in the U.S. file their claims outside of the state they live in, according to a 2019 KCIC industry report. Most mesothelioma plaintiffs in Ohio file out-of-state because Ohio lawmakers passed laws that favor asbestos defendants.

Because of these circumstances, mesothelioma patients in Ohio should consider a nationwide mesothelioma law firm since a local firm may be more likely to file their case in Ohio courts.

Residents who live in central Ohio are close to a Cooney & Conway office in Columbus, Ohio.

A perk of selecting a nationwide asbestos law firm is that they’ll travel to you. You don’t have to drive near or far, and this is important if you’re coping with health complications from mesothelioma.

Hiring one of the nation’s best mesothelioma law firms will help you get the compensation you deserve and are legally entitled to receive. In 2022, Weitz & Luxenburg secured $43 million for a mesothelioma patient after a jury found Algoma Hardwoods, Inc. responsible for asbestos exposure.

Lawyers at these firms have a strong record of winning cases for their clients.

Asbestos Verdicts Awarded in Ohio Courts

Multimillion-dollar mesothelioma verdicts are not the norm in Ohio. The vast majority of Ohio residents chose to file their claim in states that are more favorable to mesothelioma plaintiffs.

While these verdicts represent some of the highest ever recovered in Ohio, most mesothelioma lawsuits reach a settlement before trial. The top asbestos law firms regularly recover mesothelioma settlements worth more than $1 million dollars.

These firms are also known to recover six-figure payouts from asbestos trust funds, but make sure they’re familiar with Ohio’s trust transparency laws.

Ohio Asbestos Laws and Regulations

Ohio has a mix of federal and state laws that regulate asbestos and aim to protect the public from exposure.

Regulations Governing Asbestos in Ohio

Departments Overseeing Ohio’s Asbestos Laws

Ohio Laws Affecting Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos Litigation Trends in Ohio

Ohio enacted several litigation reforms in 2004. The measures limited who could file asbestos claims and who could be liable for asbestos-related injuries.

Medical Criteria

Ohio state law requires claimants to demonstrate physical impairment in order to move forward with their lawsuits. The law permits claimants who were exposed to asbestos, but are currently unimpaired, to file claims later if medical symptoms develop. The immediate effect of this legislation was to prioritize the claims of the sickest plaintiffs.

Substantial Factor Test

Ohio law requires that an asbestos plaintiff prove that the defendant’s conduct was a “substantial factor” in causing an alleged injury or loss. Plaintiffs who allege injury from asbestos exposure must also prove that they were exposed to “asbestos that was manufactured, supplied, installed, or used by the defendant.”

Successor Liability

In general, Ohio law also limits the liability of a company (the successor) that buys or merges with, and assumes the asbestos liabilities of, another company (the predecessor). The successor’s liability is limited to the fair market value of the predecessor’s total gross assets or the acquired stock or assets. The law is intended to cap the liability of successor companies who have not engaged in activities that cause asbestos-related diseases.

Premises Liability

In Ohio, a premises owner may be held liable for injuries resulting from exposure to asbestos on its property. Under state law, whether a premise owner is liable depends on when the alleged exposure occurred. An Ohio mesothelioma attorney has the expertise to interpret how this may apply to your case.

Piercing the Corporate Veil

If a plaintiff sues a bankrupt corporation, they can sometimes get compensation from the company’s shareholders. This legal doctrine is known as “piercing the corporate veil.” It allows plaintiffs in certain circumstances to get compensation for mesothelioma damages from a shareholder who controls a bankrupt defendant.

The doctrine is usually found in case law rather than state statutes. As part of its 2004 reforms, Ohio incorporated the corporate veil doctrine into its statutory law.

Bankruptcy Trust Transparency

In 2013, Ohio lawmakers passed legislation to improve transparency among plaintiffs filing lawsuits and trust fund claims. Ohio was the first state in the U.S. to pass this kind of law. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer is familiar with this law and can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit and a trust fund claim without violating Ohio law.