Ohio’s steel mills, auto assembly plants, rubber manufacturing, and electric utilities made it one of the most industrially intensive states in America. Workers in Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, and Youngstown faced heavy asbestos exposure throughout the mid-20th century, and Ohio continues to see significant mesothelioma diagnoses as a result.
| Facility | Location | Industry | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Steel Cleveland | Cleveland | Integrated steel | Critical |
| Jones & Laughlin Steel (LTV) | Cleveland / Youngstown | Integrated steel | Critical |
| Ford Cleveland Engine Plant | Brook Park (Cleveland) | Auto manufacturing | Critical |
| BF Goodrich Akron | Akron | Rubber / tire manufacturing | Critical |
| Goodyear Tire & Rubber Akron | Akron | Rubber / tire manufacturing | High |
| Toledo Edison / Ohio Edison Power Plants | Toledo, Akron, statewide | Electric power generation | High |
| Owens Corning Fiberglass Toledo | Toledo | Glass / insulation manufacturing | High |
| Youngstown Sheet & Tube | Youngstown | Integrated steel | High |
| Industry | Active Period | Primary Locations | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Steel | 1900–1985 | Cleveland, Youngstown, Canton | Critical |
| Rubber / Tire Manufacturing | 1920–1980 | Akron (BF Goodrich, Goodyear) | Critical |
| Auto Assembly | 1940–present | Cleveland, Toledo, Lordstown | High |
| Electric Power Generation | 1930–1985 | Statewide | High |
| Glass Manufacturing | 1920–present | Toledo, Findlay | High |
| Railroad | 1920–1975 | Statewide | Moderate |
| Claim Type | Deadline | Governing Law | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years from diagnosis | ORC §2305.10 | Discovery rule; measured from mesothelioma diagnosis |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years from death | ORC §2125.02 | Filed by surviving spouse, children, or parents |
| Trust Fund Claims | Varies by trust | Federal trust agreements | Can file independently; Owens Corning Trust relevant for Ohio workers |
| VA Benefits | No deadline | Federal | Available for military veterans |
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court (Cleveland) and Lucas County (Toledo) handle the largest volume of Ohio asbestos cases. Ohio has produced significant verdicts against steel companies and rubber manufacturers for asbestos exposure.
Owens Corning: Owens Corning was headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, and was one of the largest manufacturers of asbestos-containing insulation products. Ohio workers who used Owens Corning (Kaylo) products — pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers — have a direct product liability claim against the Owens Corning/Fibreboard trust.