Ohio Senate panel sets vote on asbestos suit bill - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Ohio Senate panel sets vote on asbestos suit bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A bill to curb lawsuits over on-the-job asbestos exposure is nearing a vote in the Ohio Senate.

A Senate panel votes Tuesday on legislation requiring workers to divulge all asbestos claims filed by or for them, or face perjury charges. The measure preserves victims' rights to sue when harmed by the powdery white carcinogen. It wouldn't cap awards.

Proponents say companies don't know about potential double-dipping by victims, who sometimes seek damages from trusts set up by bankrupted companies as well as surviving businesses. The U.S. Supreme Court calls accelerating asbestos claims against some 8,500 U.S. companies a crisis.

Asbestos cancer victims say the bill impedes legitimate claims to protect corporations.

Some 5,700 open cases in Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH'-guh) County, home to Cleveland, place it among America's busiest asbestos dockets.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  • Regional

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:04:44 GMT
    COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities in southeastern Michigan ay a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot. The Oakland County
    Authorities in southeastern Michigan say a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot.
  • Sunday, May 19 2013 4:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 20:11:36 GMT
    Police are on the lookout for a man accused of hitting and seriously injuring a Sheriff's deputy with his car.Police say Josh Baldridge hit a Knox County, Ohio deputy early this morning.Baldridge is driving
    Police are on the lookout for a man accused of hitting and seriously injuring a Sheriff's deputy with his car.
  • Sunday, May 19 2013 3:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:50:15 GMT
    COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The state of Ohio has received a $2.1 million federal grant to improve criminal background checks for those home health care workers who directly serve the disabled and elderly. The
    The state of Ohio has received a $2.1 million federal grant to improve criminal background checks for those home health care workers who directly serve the disabled and elderly.
  • Top Stories

  • Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:25 GMT
    Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning. About 6 a.m. Saturday, detectives say the three suspects described as
    Police are still searching for the suspects that shot and killed James "Jimmy" Safadi in his Waterville home early Saturday morning.
  • Sunday, May 19 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:04:44 GMT
    COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Authorities in southeastern Michigan ay a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot. The Oakland County
    Authorities in southeastern Michigan say a man stole a car with a 74-year-old disabled woman in the passenger seat, took her money and then fled on foot.
  • Sunday, May 19 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:30:57 GMT
    Walkers and runners turned out at Olander Park in Sylvania on Sunday for the "Beat the Wheat" 5K.The event raises awareness of and money to fight Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease in an autoimmune condition
    Walkers and runners turned out at Olander Park in Sylvania on Sunday for the "Beat the Wheat" 5K.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!