Ohio Supreme Court upholds Tort Reform in asbestos mesothelioma suit

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled against Mary Adams’ family in their asbestos lawsuit. Mary passed away in 2007 due to an asbestos related lung disease.

Mary’s husband had worked at a Goodyear plant, where he would, daily, bring home asbestos particles on his clothing. Her exposure to the toxic material took place while washing her husband’s clothes.

Diseases contracted from secondhand asbestos exposure aren’t uncommon. Those exposed to asbestos-contaminated material for an extended length of time, such as Mary, are put at risk for contracting several lung diseases–such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma doctors struggle to diagnose patients, whom fail to show symptoms of the disease for several decades.

Mesothelioma treatment, therefore, tends to arrive too late for patients whom face a disheartening prognosis.

The high court upheld a tort reform, enacted in 2005, which protects companies from asbestos lawsuits where exposure occurred outside of the physical workplace.

Adams’ family lawyer argues against the court’s decision, and plans to ask state lawmakers to revisit the reform. They also argue that Goodyear was aware of the dangerous environment they placed their workers in, and new asbestos would kill people.