Ohio High Court Says Asbestos Law Can Be Applied Retroactively

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Changes in the law that tightened Ohio's medical requirements for all asbestos claims were procedural in nature and may, therefore, be applied retroactively to put cases on hold until plaintiffs can show evidence of a physical impairment, the state Supreme Court has ruled. Ackison v. Anchor Packing Co., et al., No. 2008-5243 (Ohio Sup. Ct.).

In an Oct. 14 decision, the high court held that retroactive application of the asbestos medical criteria law to claims pending at the time of its enactment does not offend the Ohio Constitution.

The ruling reverses an appellate court decision and reinstates …