Ohio Mesothelioma Lawyers

Why Choose Shrader & Associates L.L.P for Your Ohio Mesothelioma Case?

Our Ohio mesothelioma lawyers help victims of asbestos exposure recover the compensation they deserve through two routes: lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. has recovered over $1 billion for victims nationwide, and with high exposure rates in Ohio’s rubber, steel, and power industries, we have experience across Cleveland, Akron, and beyond.

Ohio’s workers were considered some of the most exposed to asbestos in the U.S., with over 7,000 documented job sites affected. The Ohio Department of Health reports an average of 122 mesothelioma deaths annually, largely due to the state’s history of heavy industry, energy, construction, and manufacturing.

With just two years from diagnosis or death to file a claim, acting quickly matters. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, and we welcome you to a free case review today.

How Ohio Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos

Across Ohio’s industries, asbestos was relied upon for its heat-resistant and insulating properties. Asbestos-containing materials were phased out in the 1980s, but even today, workers still find it in old buildings during renovations and demolitions.

Sadly, most workers were exposed with little to no protection. Whether handling materials directly or inhaling airborne dust, they still feel the effects today. Because of mesothelioma’s long latency, many workers are only now receiving a diagnosis, decades later.

Akron, “Rubber City” (Goodyear, Firestone, BFGoodrich, General Tire)

Goodyear, Firestone, B.F. Goodrich, and General Tire used asbestos throughout their tire plants from as early as the early 1900s. At its peak, the Akron area had 53,172 workers.

Throughout Akron’s factories, workers used asbestos as insulation in boilers, steam lines, presses, and ovens. In particular, it was used around the multi-story “gravity” processes to handle high heat and steam. Workers regularly cut and replaced the insulation, releasing fibers.

Notably, Goodyear was named in a mesothelioma case in which a jury awarded $40.1 million to a worker who suffered from occupational exposure.

Steel (Youngstown, Cleveland, Lorain)

Ohio’s steel corridor of Youngstown, Cleveland, and Lorain had U.S. Steel mills that were lined with asbestos for heat and fire resistance.

Due to asbestos use in furnaces, boilers, steam pipes, heat-resistant clothing, and refractory bricks, steelworkers have been found with lung tissue fiber counts ranging from 260,000 to 11,000,000 fibers per gram of dry lung tissue. Learn more about steel mills asbestos exposure and how it has affected Ohio’s industrial workforce.

Power Plants (Avon Lake, Muskingum River, Kyger Creek, W.H. Sammis, OVEC)

Ohio’s coal-fired power stations at Avon Lake, Muskingum River, Kyger Creek, W.H. Sammis, and OVEC relied upon asbestos to insulate their very hot, high-pressure steam systems.

Power plant workers with mesothelioma often include insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians, mechanics, and maintenance teams who regularly encountered disturbed asbestos materials, especially during overhaul outages and maintenance.

Auto, Chemical & Manufacturing (Lordstown, Dow, Goodyear Chemical)

Ohio’s auto, chemical, and manufacturing corridor exposed workers to asbestos via brakes, clutches, gaskets, and insulation throughout its facilities. These facilities often had poor ventilation, which increased the airborne dust released during maintenance and manufacturing.

Goodyear stopped using asbestos in its products in 1984, by which point the damage was done.

Construction & Secondary Exposure

Like the rest of the country, construction workers in Ohio faced regular exposure to asbestos before the 1980s. Whether in pipe insulation, joint compound, cement, or floor and ceiling tiles, asbestos was used throughout schools, hospitals, factories, and public buildings. Installing, renovating, and demolishing these buildings released vast quantities of fibers into the air.

Heartbreakingly, it wasn’t just the workers who were affected. Secondary exposure occurred when workers unknowingly brought home fibers on their hair, skin, and clothing. Spouses and children then inhaled the fibers, adding up to large quantities over the years. According to the CDC, homemakers accounted for the highest share of mesothelioma deaths among women in 2020, at 22.8%.

Ohio Companies & Job Sites Linked to Asbestos

• Akron (rubber & tire): Goodyear, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and General Tire
• Youngstown / Lorain (steel): Youngstown Sheet & Tube, U.S. Steel, and Republic Steel
• Cleveland (steel, manufacturing, shipping): Cleveland Works, Great Lakes docks
• Southeast / Central Ohio (power generation): Avon Lake, Muskingum River, Kyger Creek, W.H. Sammis, and OVEC
• Cincinnati / Dayton (manufacturing, chemical): GE Aviation, auto and chemical plants

Ohio Cities We Serve

Our Ohio mesothelioma lawyers have experience helping victims and surviving families across the state, including in:

Cleveland

We’ve handled cases in Cleveland involving steel mills and foundries (such as J&L Steel Corporation and Midland Steel), as well as the rail and shipbuilding industries and the NASA Glenn Research Center.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s extensive history of industrial manufacturing, shipping, and chemical production has made it a notable name in Ohio mesothelioma lawsuits. Procter & Gamble plants, Cincinnati Gas & Electric, the General Electric Aircraft facility, and the Miami Fort Powerhouse have all seen high-value payouts.

Columbus

Columbus has also had mesothelioma cases linked to its steel, manufacturing, and power plants. At local breweries, including Budweiser Brewery, August Wagner Breweries, and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, asbestos was used in brewing filters that removed impurities from alcohol. Records show these filters may have contained up to 50% asbestos.

Today, Columbus is home to the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (James Cancer Hospital), which specializes in mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Akron, Dayton, Toledo, Youngstown

Akron, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown are the heart of Ohio’s industrial and manufacturing past. Our mesothelioma lawyers in Ohio have handled cases involving rubber manufacturing, automotive, glass making, aviation, steel mills, and oil refineries.

If you worked across state lines, we also have Michigan mesothelioma lawyers and Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyers.

Ohio Asbestos Verdicts & Settlements

Ohio has seen some of the highest-value settlements and verdicts in the U.S., due to the significant impact of its industrial past. While each case varies, a settlement can average $1 million to $2 million.

Notably, John Panza Jr. and his wife received $27.5 million for their secondhand (take-home exposure) claim. Panza’s father had worked at Eaton Airflex Brake Company for 31 years and unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on his work clothes, resulting in his son’s diagnosis. The jury found a brake manufacturer liable.

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Ohio

Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma in Ohio

Timing is critical. Ohio’s statute of limitations (§2305.10) is strict, and missing it can mean permanently giving up your right to seek compensation:

• Personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of diagnosis.
• Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of your loved one’s passing.

However, your legal team must also identify every asbestos product, exposure site, and supporting witness within 60 days of your initial filing. For that reason, we highly recommend that anyone recently diagnosed receive a free consultation to get started as soon as possible.

Who Is Eligible to File

Victims with a mesothelioma diagnosis who were exposed in Ohio, or surviving family members of those victims, can file an Ohio mesothelioma lawsuit.

Recovery Paths: Lawsuits, Trust Funds, Workers’ Comp, and VA Benefits

Our mesothelioma lawyers in Ohio can pursue multiple legal paths to recover the compensation you deserve. Pursuing each route does not affect the others.

Lawsuits

You can file Ohio mesothelioma lawsuits against negligent parties, such as employers, manufacturers, contractors, or suppliers. We can also file multi-defendant asbestos lawsuits. This requires intensive investigation to uncover documentation that links your employment period to the source of the exposure.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Asbestos trust funds were established in the 1980s after widespread bankruptcies among asbestos manufacturers and employers. Their creation ensured funds are still available to claimants today. As of 2026, these trust funds hold an estimated $30 billion across more than 60 active trusts.

Workers’ Compensation

Mesothelioma is legally classified as an occupational disease. This means you may be able to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that you can pursue workers’ comp and a lawsuit.

Ohio BWC may cover medical care, lost wages, disability compensation, and surviving spouse benefits.

VA Benefits

Mesothelioma qualifies for the highest (100%) disability rating for veterans, potentially paying over $3,900 per month, tax-free. Read our guide on veterans and mesothelioma here to learn how to apply for VA benefits.

Compensation for Ohio Mesothelioma Victims

Our Ohio mesothelioma attorneys can help you recover damages, including:

• Economic damages — medical bills, travel expenses, lost income, and loss of earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages — physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional suffering, loss of consortium and companionship, and loss of quality of life.

Why Choose Shrader & Associates L.L.P for Your Ohio Mesothelioma Case

Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. has recovered over $1 billion for victims nationwide, including former workers and surviving family members in Ohio.

Resources & Investigation

Our experience and connections in Ohio let us uncover crucial employment records, blueprints, contracts, and OSHA reports that show the connection between employment and asbestos exposure.

Expert Coordination

Our in-house team coordinates with experts to secure crucial testimony that reveals the far-reaching impact of your illness and its monetary value.

No Win, No Fee

We work on a no-win, no-fee basis — meaning we never ask for upfront payments and only get paid when we win.

FAQs About Mesothelioma Claims in Ohio

How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Ohio?

Ohio’s statute of limitations sets a deadline of 2 years from the date of diagnosis or death to file a lawsuit.

Who can file an Ohio mesothelioma lawsuit?

Victims with a diagnosis (or surviving family members) whose exposure occurred in Ohio can file an Ohio mesothelioma lawsuit.

What is the average Ohio mesothelioma settlement?

The average Ohio mesothelioma settlement varies by case, but it typically ranges from $1 million to $2 million. Note, however, that Ohio verdicts have exceeded these figures.

Can I file both workers’ comp and a lawsuit in Ohio?

Yes. You can apply for workers’ comp and file a lawsuit at the same time.

Can I file if I worked at an Akron rubber plant or Youngstown steel mill decades ago?

Yes. It doesn’t matter when the exposure occurred. The 2-year deadline starts from the date of diagnosis or death, so you can file a Youngstown steel asbestos claim or an Akron rubber workers mesothelioma claim even if you worked there decades ago.

What if the company that exposed me is bankrupt?

If a negligent party has since gone bankrupt, you may be able to recover compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. These claims are separate from lawsuits and can be pursued at the same time.

Do I have to live in Ohio to file here?

No. Where you currently reside has no impact. We file based on where your exposure took place and where the responsible companies are or were based.

What does hiring an Ohio mesothelioma attorney cost?

At Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., we work on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means there are no upfront costs. Instead, we take a pre-agreed fee from the final settlement.

Contact an Ohio Mesothelioma Attorney Today

We welcome all mesothelioma victims and surviving family members to a free consultation today, online or by calling 866-262-8170.

Our Ohio mesothelioma attorneys will be happy to hear your story and explain your options before you decide. Ohio’s two-year deadline moves quickly, and evidence fades over time, so we encourage you to reach out now.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact an Ohio mesothelioma attorney at Shrader & Associates L.L.P today for a free, no-pressure consultation.