Sokolove Law, a nationally recognized mesothelioma law firm, is dedicated to preserving citizens’ rights under the U.S. civil justice system. A disturbing trend in asbestos legislation is potentially harmful to the rights of mesothelioma victims everywhere.
A new Ohio law signed by the governor on December 20, 2012, provides an unfair advantage to corporate defendants in asbestos lawsuits. Effective March 2013, the law, HB 380, requires mesothelioma victims and other plaintiffs who file an asbestos lawsuit in Ohio to disclose information on all existing and prior asbestos claims they have made with asbestos bankruptcy trusts, including any mesothelioma settlements they have been awarded. Corporate defendants, however, will continue to be allowed to keep their asbestos and mesothelioma settlements private. 

In addition, if a corporate defendant asserts that a plaintiff has not filed claims against all possible other...