OH SB252

Plaintiffs in asbestos tort actions must file a sworn statement within 30 days of filing a complaint, signed under penalty of perjury, specifying evidence supporting each asbestos claim against each defendant.

Sworn statement must include with specificity: plaintiff's personal information (name, address, date of birth, marital status, occupation, smoking history, current and past worksites); persons through whom exposure occurred and their relationships; persons knowledgeable about exposures; manufacturers or sellers of asbestos products; specific locations and manner of exposures; dates, frequency, length and proximity of exposures; the specific asbestos-related disease alleged; and supporting documentation.

Plaintiffs have a continuing duty to supplement the disclosed information as required.

Courts must administratively dismiss claims without prejudice against any defendant whose product or premises is not identified in the sworn statement, or dismiss all claims without prejudice if plaintiff fails to comply with statement requirements entirely.

Applies to asbestos claims filed on or after the effective date and to pending claims where trial begins 120 or more days after the effective date, with such plaintiffs required to file the sworn statement within 60 days of the effective date.