Ohio Asbestos Information

Ohio has long been at the center of America's industrial heartland. While many U.S. industries, such as steel production, have declined since the late 1960s, manufacturing and mining are still vital to Ohio's economy. This concentration of heavy industry is one of the reasons the State of Ohio has experienced a large number of asbestos-related deaths. Once used in thousands of products, asbestos was present at many worksites. Individuals who inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers have an increased risk for developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. It can take decades for such diseases to develop, but it may not be too late to identify those responsible for exposure to this known human carcinogen.

Federal Investigation into Ohio Asbestos Exposure

The federal government is currently investigating the actions of one company that shipped asbestos-contaminated material to numerous locations across the nation, including Ohio. The W.R. Grace Company operated a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. Vermiculite is a micaceous mineral that can be used for insulation or as a planting medium. The vermiculite ore mined in Libby was contaminated with deposits of asbestos. The raw vermiculite was shipped elsewhere for processing, which released the asbestos fibers previously contained in the ore. Processing plant workers were exposed to asbestos dust, some of which floated into nearby communities. Between 1948 and 1993, over 445,000 tons of raw vermiculite was shipped to Ohio. The majority of these shipments were received in Marysville at the O.M. Scott & Sons site, but other significant Ohio destinations include Cleveland, Port Clinton, North Bloomfield, Warren, and Dayton. Individuals who worked at or lived near the vermiculite processing plants likely have an increased risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Ohio Legislation for Asbestos Lawsuits

In September of 2004, Ohio passed an asbestos legislation bill requiring that certain medical criteria be met in order to file an asbestos lawsuit. Under the new law, claimants have to be diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness before they can sue for compensation. The doctor performing the diagnosis cannot spend more than 25 percent of their time working as a medical expert or legal consultant. The new criteria apply to pending lawsuits, as well as those yet to be filed. The new legislation will give priority to those individuals who are already displaying symptoms of diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure in Ohio

Due to the concentration of industry in certain areas of Ohio, some counties have reported a higher number of asbestos-related deaths.

Ohio Counties Most Affected by Asbestos Deaths

• Cuyahoga County
• Hamilton County
• Lucas County
• Summit County
• Franklin County
• Montgomery County
• Stark County
• Lorain County
• Mahoning County
• Butler County
• Trumbull County
• Lake County
• Ashtabula County
• Jefferson County
• Licking County
• Portage County
• Clermont County

Learn More from Ohio Asbestos Attorneys

If your loved one has developed asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma from working around asbestos, please contact our Ohio asbestos lawyers to explore your legal options.