Ohio Mesothelioma Trust Fund Claims
Ohio's industrial heritage — steel mills (Cleveland, Lorain, Youngstown, Steubenville), tire manufacturing (Akron), oil refineries (Toledo, Lima), automotive plants, and rubber industry — created one of the Midwest's largest mesothelioma claimant populations.
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Ohio mesothelioma overview
Ohio's mid-century industrial economy made it one of the most asbestos-exposed states in the U.S. The "Steel Belt" running from Lorain through Cleveland and Youngstown to Steubenville employed tens of thousands of steel workers. Akron's rubber industry (Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich, Uniroyal) used extensive asbestos in rubber processing. Toledo, Lima, and Cincinnati refineries operated throughout the asbestos era. Ohio courts have well-developed asbestos litigation expertise and Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) has been a notable asbestos venue.
Statute of limitations in Ohio
Ohio applies a 2-year statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims under O.R.C. § 2305.10, running from the date of diagnosis. Wrongful death is 2 years from death.
Major Ohio industries with asbestos exposure
Major Ohio exposure industries:
- Steel mills — US Steel Lorain, Republic Steel (Cleveland, Youngstown), Bethlehem Steel Lackawanna, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steubenville. See steel workers page.
- Rubber industry (Akron) — Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich, Uniroyal. Tire manufacturing and rubber processing used extensive asbestos installations.
- Refineries — BP Toledo, Husky Lima, Marathon Findlay/Canton. See refinery workers page.
- Automotive plants — Ford Lorain, GM Lordstown, GM Dayton, Honda Marysville (later era)
- Power plants — extensive coal-fired generation across Ohio
Filing trust claims as a Ohio resident
Asbestos bankruptcy trust claims are federal — they accept claims from claimants in any U.S. state. Ohio residents file with all applicable trusts identical to claimants from other states. The state-specific consideration is the underlying tort claim\'s statute of limitations, which determines how long after diagnosis you have to file lawsuits in Ohio court.
Frequently asked questions for Ohio residents
I worked Akron rubber industry — what trusts apply?
Rubber industry workers had asbestos exposure through industrial pipe insulation, refractory in steam systems, and gaskets in processing equipment. File standard industrial worker trust package.
I was a Republic Steel worker in Youngstown — eligible?
Yes. Republic Steel's Ohio operations (Cleveland, Youngstown, others) employed tens of thousands of steel workers throughout the asbestos era. Refractory work and steam system maintenance created heavy asbestos exposure.
What about Toledo or Lima refinery workers?
Toledo and Lima refineries operated throughout the asbestos era with extensive asbestos installations. File the full refinery worker trust package.
Is Cuyahoga County a major asbestos venue?
Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) has well-developed asbestos litigation expertise and has been a venue for many cases. Filing locally typically makes sense for Ohio residents.
When does Ohio's 2-year clock start?
Ohio uses the discovery rule — the 2-year statute begins at diagnosis (or when the asbestos-related condition was reasonably discoverable), not at the original date of exposure.