Ohio Supreme Court Reverses Assignment of Joint and Several Liability to CCR Members

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's highest court has reversed an appellate court decision, finding error with the assignment of joint and several liability to companies involved in a settlement agreement between the Center for Claims Resolution and an Ohio law firm. In re: All Kelley & Ferraro Asbestos Cases, No. 2003-1653 (Ohio Sup. Ct.).

In a Dec. 30 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court found that the language in the settlement indicated that the parties contemplated the possibility that member companies would not be able to pay their share, therefore precluding the option of joint and several liability.

'The structure of the …