Mesothelioma Lawyer Ohio: Legal Options for URCLPWA Local 5 Members Allegedly Exposed to Asbestos at B.F. Goodrich Akron

URGENT FILING DEADLINE WARNING FOR OHIO ASBESTOS CLAIMS: In Ohio, you generally have a strict two-year statute of limitations from the date of your asbestos-related disease diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one passed away from an asbestos-related illness, a wrongful death claim must typically be filed within two years of their death. While most asbestos trust funds do not have a hard deadline, their assets are finite and deplete over time, making prompt action crucial. Do not delay—contact an experienced Ohio asbestos attorney immediately to understand your specific deadline and protect your right to compensation.

Members of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum, and Plastic Workers of America (URCLPWA) Local 5 in Akron, Ohio, worked for decades at B.F. Goodrich facilities. Many members were unknowingly exposed to asbestos. If a former B.F. Goodrich Akron employee, a URCLPWA Local 5 member, received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, this content provides information on potential asbestos exposure, associated health risks, and legal options under Ohio law. Our mesothelioma lawyer Ohio team is prepared to assist.

URCLPWA Local 5 Members and Alleged Asbestos Exposure at B.F. Goodrich Akron

URCLPWA Local 5 members at the B.F. Goodrich Akron complex, including the former main plant and associated facilities, performed tasks essential to rubber production and manufacturing. Their work reportedly involved:

Manufacturing & Curing: Operating machinery for mixing, milling, calendering, extruding, and molding rubber products, such as tires, industrial hoses, and belts.
Maintenance & Repair: Performing routine and emergency maintenance on heavy machinery, presses, boilers, steam lines, and other industrial equipment, which often involved repairing insulation, replacing gaskets, and working on brakes and clutches.
Boiler Room Operations: Tending to boilers and high-temperature steam systems, where asbestos-containing materials were frequently present.
Material Handling: Moving raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods throughout the facility.
Janitorial & Custodial Services: Maintaining cleanliness and order within the plant, which could involve sweeping and cleaning dust that may have contained asbestos fibers.

Alleged Asbestos Exposure at B.F. Goodrich Facilities in Ohio

B.F. Goodrich facilities in Ohio, like many industrial plants constructed before the 1980s, reportedly utilized asbestos-containing materials due to asbestos’s heat-resistant and insulating properties. URCLPWA Local 5 members working at the B.F. Goodrich Akron complex are alleged to have been exposed through various sources.

Specific areas and products where asbestos exposure may have occurred include:

Asbestos in Boiler Rooms and Pipe Insulation

Boiler Rooms: Boilers, steam pipes, and associated equipment were frequently insulated with asbestos-containing lagging and block insulation. Workers performing maintenance, repairs, or routine inspections in these areas may have disturbed these materials, reportedly releasing asbestos fibers. For example, boilers at the B.F. Goodrich facilities may have been insulated with Johns-Manville’s Thermobestos or Owens Corning’s Kaylo block insulation (per asbestos trust fund claim data). Similarly, Combustion Engineering boilers, reportedly present at some Ohio industrial facilities, often relied on asbestos-containing components and insulation.
Pipe Insulation: Extensive networks of steam and hot water pipes throughout the B.F. Goodrich Akron plants were allegedly insulated with asbestos-containing wraps and coverings. Workers involved in pipefitting, plumbing (including members of Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 219 in Akron or Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 189 in Columbus who may have been contractors at the facility), or any work requiring access to or disturbance of these pipes may have been exposed to products like Johns-Manville’s Aircell or Pabco’s Pabco Pipe Covering.

Asbestos in Equipment Components and Industrial Machinery

Gaskets and Packing: Asbestos gaskets and packing materials were commonly used in pumps, valves, flanges, and other machinery to create seals that could withstand high temperatures and pressures. Garlock Sealing Technologies gaskets, such as Garlock 7021 or Cranite from Crane Co., were reportedly common throughout Ohio industrial settings, including the Goodyear Akron complex. URCLPWA Local 5 members performing maintenance on this equipment would have regularly removed and replaced these components.
Brakes and Clutches: Some industrial machinery and vehicles used within the B.F. Goodrich plant reportedly contained asbestos-containing brakes and clutches. Mechanics and maintenance workers servicing this equipment may have been exposed to asbestos dust during repairs. This was also a common issue at facilities like Ford Lorain Assembly.
Furnaces and Ovens: Insulation for industrial furnaces and ovens used in rubber processing may have contained asbestos. This included products like Eagle-Picher’s Unibestos or Johns-Manville’s Superex insulating boards, reportedly used at various Ohio manufacturing sites.

Asbestos in Building Materials at B.F. Goodrich

Building Materials: Asbestos was incorporated into various building materials, including floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing materials, and transite panels. Disturbance during renovations, demolition, or general wear and tear could reportedly release fibers. Products like Armstrong World Industries floor tiles, Celotex ceiling tiles, or Georgia-Pacific’s Gold Bond brand wallboard (which historically contained asbestos) may have been present at B.F. Goodrich Akron. W.R. Grace’s Monokote spray-on fireproofing, an asbestos-containing material, was also reportedly used in structural fire protection in Ohio industrial facilities, such as Cleveland-Cliffs Steel or Republic Steel Youngstown (per published trial records).

Exposure to asbestos fibers, even for short periods, can lead to serious and often fatal diseases. These diseases may not manifest until decades after initial exposure, with latency periods ranging from 10 to 60 years. Common asbestos-related diseases include:

Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly for individuals who also smoke.
Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease characterized by scarring of the lung tissue, leading to shortness of breath, coughing, and reduced lung function.
Pleural Thickening/Plaques: Non-cancerous conditions where the lining of the lungs (pleura) thickens or develops calcified plaques. While often asymptomatic, extensive thickening can impair lung function.

Union Records and Historical Information for Asbestos Claims

URCLPWA Local 5 may not possess detailed individual exposure records. However, the union’s historical archives, meeting minutes, and grievance records could contain valuable information that a skilled asbestos attorney Ohio can leverage. These documents may shed light on:

Workplace Conditions: General descriptions of working conditions, safety concerns, or discussions about materials reportedly used in the plant.
Safety Committee Reports: Reports from union safety committees that may have addressed hazardous materials or working environments.
Grievances: Records of grievances filed by members related to working conditions, which might indirectly point to concerns about dust or specific materials. For example, records from Boilermakers Local 900 (Akron) or Asbestos Workers Local 3 (Cleveland), who may have worked as contractors at B.F. Goodrich facilities, could contain relevant information on asbestos abatement projects or general asbestos use in Ohio industrial settings. Similarly, records from facilities like Cleveland-Cliffs Steel (Cleveland) or Republic Steel Youngstown (Youngstown), which employed similar trades, may offer insights into the types of asbestos products encountered in comparable Ohio industrial settings.

Former members or their families should inquire with the current local union leadership or national union archives regarding historical documents. Direct access to specific asbestos-related information may be limited.

Legal Options for URCLPWA Local 5 Members and Their Families in Ohio

Individuals diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after working at B.F. Goodrich facilities in Ohio, and their families, may pursue compensation through several legal avenues under Ohio law. Our asbestos cancer lawyer Cleveland team can help navigate these options.

Asbestos Trust Funds: Many companies that manufactured or used asbestos products, including some suppliers to B.F. Goodrich, established asbestos trust funds to compensate victims as part of bankruptcy proceedings. These trusts, such as those established by Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, Eagle-Picher, Garlock Sealing Technologies, Armstrong World Industries, W.R. Grace, Georgia-Pacific, Celotex, Crane Co., and Combustion Engineering, compensate victims of asbestos exposure without requiring a lawsuit against an active company. Ohio residents can file claims with these trust funds simultaneously with pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, maximizing their potential recovery. While most trusts do not have a strict time limit, their assets are not infinite, emphasizing the importance of filing claims as soon as possible.
Personal Injury Lawsuits: If the companies responsible for the asbestos exposure are still solvent, a personal injury lawsuit can be filed. This type of lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. In Ohio, such lawsuits are typically filed in venues like the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court (Cleveland), which is one of the most active venues for asbestos litigation in the state, or the Franklin County Common Pleas Court (Columbus). Ohio has a strict two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10, meaning a lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of diagnosis or discovery of the asbestos-related disease. Missing this Ohio asbestos statute of limitations deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits: If a loved one died due to an asbestos-related disease, their family may file a wrongful death lawsuit. This seeks to recover damages such as funeral expenses, medical bills incurred before death, and loss of financial support and companionship. Wrongful death lawsuits in Ohio also generally fall under a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death. Time is of the essence to ensure your family’s rights are protected and meet the asbestos lawsuit Ohio filing deadline.

Contact an Ohio Asbestos Attorney Today for a Mesothelioma Settlement

Asbestos litigation is complex and requires specialized legal knowledge. Former URCLPWA Local 5 members and their families should consult with an experienced plaintiff-side mesothelioma lawyer Ohio. A qualified toxic tort counsel can:

Investigate Exposure: Identify specific asbestos-containing products and companies allegedly responsible for the exposure at B.F. Goodrich Akron. This may link exposure to products like Kaylo, Thermobestos, Aircell, Monokote, Unibestos, Cranite, Superex, Gold Bond, or Pabco. This investigation may also draw upon records from similar Ohio facilities where URCLPWA members or related trades worked, such as Goodyear Akron, Ford Lorain Assembly, Cleveland-Cliffs Steel (Lorain or Cleveland), or Republic Steel Youngstown, where asbestos use was reportedly widespread.
Gather Evidence: Collect medical records, work history, and other evidence to support a claim under Ohio law.
File Claims: File claims against appropriate asbestos trust funds and/or initiate lawsuits against responsible parties in Ohio venues such as Cuyahoga County Common Pleas or Franklin County Common Pleas, seeking an Ohio mesothelioma settlement.
Negotiate Settlements: Represent clients in negotiations to achieve fair compensation.
Provide Guidance: Explain Ohio-specific legal options and guide clients through every step of the legal process, ensuring adherence to the critical Ohio statute of limitations.

If a former B.F. Goodrich Akron employee, a URCLPWA Local 5 member, received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, seek legal advice promptly. Protect your rights and pursue deserved compensation. Call an experienced Ohio asbestos attorney today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Discuss your potential claim and learn how we can help your family immediately. Time is limited, so don’t delay your Cuyahoga County asbestos lawsuit.

Data Sources

Information about facility equipment, industrial materials, and occupational records referenced on this page is drawn from publicly available sources where applicable, including:

EPA ECHO Facility Compliance Database — enforcement and compliance records for industrial facilities
OSHA Establishment Search — federal workplace inspection history
EIA Form 860 Plant Data — power plant equipment and ownership records (where applicable)
Ohio EPA NESHAP records
Published asbestos trial and trust fund records (publicly filed court documents)

If specific equipment or product claims in this article are sourced from a non-public database, the source is identified parenthetically within the text above.