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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Akron, Ohio

Akron was the rubber capital of the world for most of the 20th century, and that legacy left a dangerous footprint. Goodyear, Firestone, B.F. Goodrich, and other major manufacturers used asbestos extensively in their Akron operations. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, rubber and tire industry workers rank among the most heavily asbestos-exposed occupational groups in the country. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, Akron families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

4 Major Rubber/Tire Manufacturers
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
2 Years Ohio Statute of Limitations
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Akron Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Akron, you are not alone — and compensation may be available. Below are actual amounts received by real clients of our firm, after attorneys’ fees and expenses, in mesothelioma cases involving asbestos exposure. Our attorneys represent families nationwide, including in Akron.

$30B+ Available in Asbestos Trust Funds
$1M – $1.4M Average Mesothelioma Settlement
$2.4M Average Trial Verdict
$2B+ Recovered for Our Clients
$6,142,500 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 68, who developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos through assisting her husband in his general contracting work and through contact with asbestos fibers on her husband's clothes.

$5,939,010 Construction / Demolition

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 46, who was exposed to asbestos while repairing boats and while doing demolition and repair of buildings damaged by fire and flooding.

$4,750,000 U.S. Navy Veteran

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 49, who was exposed to asbestos through his career in the Navy.

$3,600,450 Navy / Contractor

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 67, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a construction contractor on commercial and residential projects.

$3,403,890 Navy / HVAC Mechanic

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 57, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic.

$3,185,280 Paper Mill / Carpenter

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at a paper mill and as a carpenter.

$2,727,900 Navy / Telecom

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 61, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a telephone installer and repairman.

$1,988,910 Oil Field Worker

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 50, who was exposed as an oil field worker.

$1,886,580 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 62, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her husband, who worked as an electrician at a shipyard.

$1,181,250 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 33, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her father, who worked at an auto plant.

All amounts shown are received by clients after attorneys’ fees and expenses. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and compensation depends on individual circumstances including exposure history, diagnosis, and jurisdiction.

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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Industrial records, asbestos litigation databases, OSHA reports

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Akron

Akron, Ohio earned the title "Rubber Capital of the World" because of the massive tire and rubber manufacturing operations that defined the city for over a century. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, B.F. Goodrich Company, and General Tire & Rubber Company all headquartered their operations in Akron, employing tens of thousands of workers across sprawling factory complexes. These plants used asbestos in brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, pipe insulation, boiler lagging, and heat-resistant building materials throughout their production lines and support infrastructure.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the rubber and tire manufacturing industry is recognized as one of the highest-risk sectors for occupational asbestos exposure, with workers handling asbestos-containing friction products, insulation materials, and heat-resistant components on a daily basis. Akron's concentration of these facilities created one of the densest clusters of asbestos exposure risk in the Midwest.

Beyond the rubber industry, Akron's industrial landscape included power generation facilities operated by Ohio Edison, heavy equipment manufacturers like Babcock & Wilcox in nearby Barberton, and numerous smaller factories and foundries that all relied on asbestos-containing materials. The combined effect was a city where asbestos exposure was not isolated to a single plant or industry but was woven into the fabric of the entire local economy.

The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period

Mesothelioma does not appear immediately after asbestos exposure. The disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning workers exposed in Akron's rubber plants, power stations, and manufacturing facilities during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A tire builder who handled asbestos brake compound at Goodyear in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This extended latency period is why Akron continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed in most industries.

The concentration of industrial exposure in Akron also means that many workers were exposed at multiple facilities during their careers. A maintenance worker might have spent time at Goodyear, then moved to Firestone, and later worked at an Ohio Edison power plant — accumulating asbestos exposure at each site. This multi-employer history is significant for legal claims because it can connect a patient to multiple asbestos trust funds and multiple defendants, increasing total compensation.

Akron's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

At the peak of rubber manufacturing in Akron, the four major tire companies employed more than 60,000 workers in the city. Asbestos was integral to both the products they manufactured and the facilities where they worked. Ohio consistently ranks among the states with the highest mesothelioma death rates, and Akron's rubber industry is a primary driver. If you worked at any rubber plant, tire factory, or industrial facility in the Akron area, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Akron

Asbestos was embedded in Akron's industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure in the greater Akron area.

Rubber and Tire Manufacturing Plants

The rubber and tire industry was the beating heart of Akron's economy, and asbestos was deeply embedded in both the manufacturing process and the physical plants. Asbestos was a key ingredient in friction products like brake pads and clutch linings, which were manufactured in massive quantities at Akron plants. Beyond the products themselves, asbestos insulation wrapped the steam pipes, boilers, and processing equipment that powered these enormous factory complexes. Workers were exposed both through handling asbestos-containing product materials and through the ambient dust in aging factory environments.

  • Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company — Akron's largest employer for decades; asbestos used in brake linings, gaskets, pipe insulation, and factory building materials across its sprawling East Akron campus
  • Firestone Tire & Rubber Company — Major production facility in South Akron; asbestos in friction products, insulation, and boiler systems throughout the plant
  • B.F. Goodrich Company — Headquartered in Akron with extensive manufacturing operations; asbestos in rubber products, chemical processing equipment insulation, and facility construction materials
  • General Tire & Rubber Company — Akron-based operations using asbestos in tire-related products, facility insulation, and heat-resistant manufacturing components

Power Generation Facilities

Coal-fired and gas-fired power plants in the Akron area used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Maintenance workers, electricians, and operators at these facilities faced regular asbestos exposure during routine operations and during overhaul and repair work.

  • Ohio Edison Power Plants — Multiple generating stations serving the Akron area with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, pipe lagging, and electrical wiring insulation

Heavy Equipment Manufacturing

The Akron-Barberton industrial corridor included major manufacturers of boilers, power generation equipment, and heavy industrial machinery. These operations relied heavily on asbestos for heat resistance and fireproofing in the products they built and in their own factory infrastructure.

  • Babcock & Wilcox (Barberton) — Manufactured boilers and power generation equipment with extensive asbestos insulation; workers fabricated, assembled, and tested equipment containing asbestos materials
  • PPG Industries (Barberton) — Chemical and materials manufacturing with asbestos in processing equipment and facility insulation
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Goodyear Rubber & Tire Manufacturing Brake linings, gaskets, pipe insulation 1940s–1980s
Firestone Rubber & Tire Manufacturing Friction products, boiler insulation, gaskets 1940s–1980s
B.F. Goodrich Rubber & Chemical Manufacturing Rubber products, processing insulation, building materials 1940s–1980s
General Tire Rubber & Tire Manufacturing Tire products, facility insulation, heat components 1940s–1970s
Ohio Edison Power Generation Boiler insulation, turbine casings, pipe lagging 1940s–1980s
Babcock & Wilcox Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Boiler insulation, power equipment, refractory materials 1940s–1980s

This is not an exhaustive list. Dozens of additional industrial facilities across the greater Akron area used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any rubber plant, manufacturing facility, or construction site in Akron before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Akron-area exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in Akron Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in Akron's industrial sector carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in areas where asbestos fibers accumulated, or were present during activities that disturbed existing asbestos insulation. If you or a family member held any of these positions at an Akron-area facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Tire Builders & Rubber Workers

Tire builders and rubber workers are among the most heavily exposed occupations specific to Akron. These workers handled raw materials that included asbestos fibers as a reinforcing agent in brake linings, clutch facings, and other friction products. Mixing rooms where rubber compounds were prepared generated significant airborne dust containing asbestos. Workers on production lines also faced exposure from deteriorating asbestos insulation on steam-heated processing equipment and from asbestos-containing factory building materials.

Maintenance Workers & Millwrights

Maintenance workers and millwrights at Akron rubber plants were responsible for keeping massive factory operations running. Their work regularly involved removing and replacing asbestos-containing pipe insulation, gaskets, and valve packing throughout the plants. Boiler maintenance, steam system repairs, and equipment overhauls generated concentrated asbestos dust in enclosed factory spaces where ventilation was limited.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers in Akron's industrial facilities installed and maintained the extensive steam and process piping systems that powered rubber manufacturing. These systems were heavily insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Workers cut, fitted, and removed asbestos pipe insulation and worked in close proximity to asbestos-lagged boilers on a daily basis, particularly at facilities like Babcock & Wilcox and the major rubber plants.

Electricians & Power Plant Workers

Electricians in Akron's factories and power plants worked near and around asbestos-insulated equipment daily. Running conduit and wiring through areas with deteriorating asbestos insulation released fibers. Power plant workers at Ohio Edison generating stations operated in environments where asbestos insulation surrounded boilers, turbines, and steam distribution systems. Routine maintenance and overhauls released significant quantities of asbestos dust.

Laborers & Machine Operators

General laborers and machine operators in Akron's rubber plants worked in factory environments where asbestos was omnipresent — in the building insulation, the pipe lagging overhead, the gaskets in process equipment, and sometimes in the products being manufactured. Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos materials inhaled fibers that became airborne from aging insulation, maintenance activities, and manufacturing processes.

Construction Workers

Construction workers who built and renovated Akron's industrial facilities handled asbestos-containing building materials including floor tiles, roofing, cement board, joint compound, and spray-on fireproofing. Demolition of older rubber plant structures released accumulated asbestos from decades of use. Drywall workers, roofers, and general construction laborers across the Akron area were all at risk during the peak construction and renovation era.

Documenting Your Akron Work History

If you held any of these positions at an Akron-area industrial facility, documenting your complete work history is essential for building a mesothelioma claim. Our attorneys help clients reconstruct their employment timeline, identify every facility where exposure occurred, and connect that exposure history to specific asbestos product manufacturers and their trust funds. Even if your records are incomplete, we can use union records, Social Security earnings statements, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Akron

Mesothelioma develops when inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers become embedded in the lining of internal organs, causing cellular damage that leads to malignant tumor growth over decades. Akron's industrial exposure profile — dominated by rubber manufacturing, power generation, and heavy equipment production — produces patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact that workers experienced.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Akron patients. This type develops in the pleura — the thin membrane surrounding the lungs — when inhaled asbestos fibers migrate to the pleural lining and cause chronic inflammation and eventual malignancy. Akron rubber workers, maintenance crews, and power plant employees who inhaled asbestos dust over months or years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk for pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms typically include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion).

Early detection significantly affects treatment options and prognosis. If you worked in an Akron-area rubber plant, power station, or industrial facility and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your occupational asbestos exposure history. Visit our diagnosis and treatment page for more information about the diagnostic process and available treatment approaches.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum — the lining of the abdominal cavity — and accounts for approximately 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Research has identified a correlation between peritoneal mesothelioma and prolonged occupational exposures, including those common in Akron's rubber manufacturing environment where asbestos dust was pervasive in factory air. Asbestos fibers can reach the peritoneum through ingestion or through the lymphatic system. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, unexplained weight loss, bowel changes, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma has advanced significantly, with cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showing improved survival rates compared to earlier treatment methods. Regardless of the type of mesothelioma diagnosed, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits for veterans — are available to Akron patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Near Akron, Ohio

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in the Akron area have access to some of the region’s leading cancer treatment facilities. These centers offer specialized thoracic oncology programs, access to clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care teams experienced in treating asbestos-related cancers. Early evaluation at a specialized center can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland, OH
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute is nationally ranked in cancer care and has a thoracic surgery department experienced in mesothelioma treatment.

Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, OH NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

The James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State is an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center offering advanced treatment for thoracic malignancies including mesothelioma.

Case Western / University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

Cleveland, OH NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

Seidman Cancer Center is an NCI-designated cancer center affiliated with Case Western Reserve University, providing specialized thoracic oncology care.

Need Help Finding a Specialist?

Our attorneys work with leading mesothelioma specialists nationwide and can help connect you with the right treatment team. Call 1-800-400-1805 for a referral.

Akron Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Akron has a significant veteran population, and many of these veterans carry an asbestos exposure history that combines military service with post-service industrial employment. This dual exposure pattern is particularly common among veterans who served in the Navy or other branches where asbestos was prevalent and then returned to Akron to work in the rubber plants, power stations, or manufacturing facilities that defined the local economy.

Military Asbestos Exposure

The U.S. military used asbestos extensively from the 1930s through the 1970s. Navy ships, Army bases, Air Force facilities, and military vehicles all contained asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Veterans who served aboard Navy ships were particularly at risk, as engine rooms, boiler rooms, and virtually every compartment of naval vessels contained asbestos materials. Machinists, boiler technicians, hull maintenance technicians, and enginemen faced the highest exposure levels during service.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Rubber Plant Work

A pattern seen frequently in Akron mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs in Akron's rubber and tire manufacturing industry after their discharge. The industrial skills developed during military service — mechanical maintenance, pipefitting, electrical work, and equipment operation — transferred directly to rubber plant employment. This resulted in decades of cumulative asbestos exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.

The legal significance of dual exposure is substantial. Veterans with this history may be entitled to multiple sources of compensation:

  • VA Disability Compensation — Monthly tax-free benefits for service-connected mesothelioma
  • VA Healthcare — Treatment at VA medical centers at no cost for service-connected conditions
  • Special Monthly Compensation — Additional VA benefits for veterans requiring aid and attendance
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against trust funds of companies whose products were used in military and civilian settings
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers and employers

Veterans: Filing VA Claims Does Not Affect Civil Claims

VA disability claims and civil mesothelioma lawsuits are separate legal processes. Filing for VA benefits does not reduce or prevent compensation from asbestos trust funds or personal injury lawsuits. Our attorneys help Akron-area veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is critical — both the Ohio statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Akron

Asbestos exposure in Akron did not stop at the factory gate. For decades, rubber plant workers, power plant employees, and industrial tradespeople carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families to the same deadly material they encountered at work. This pattern, known as secondary or take-home exposure, has been documented extensively in Akron's industrial community and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never set foot in a rubber plant or factory.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Akron rubber workers, maintenance staff, and plant operators typically arrived home covered in industrial dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, standard practice was for spouses — most often wives — to shake out, brush off, and launder contaminated work clothes at home. This process released asbestos fibers into the household air, where family members inhaled them. Children who greeted parents at the door, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In some cases, workers' vehicles served as an additional exposure pathway, with asbestos dust accumulating in car interiors that family members shared.

Legal Rights of Akron Families

Ohio courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home asbestos exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. These claims can be filed against the companies that manufactured the asbestos products, the employers who failed to prevent fibers from leaving the workplace, and the asbestos trust funds established through bankruptcy proceedings.

If a spouse, child, or other family member of an Akron industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous secondary exposure cases and understand the specific evidence required to establish the connection between a worker's occupational exposure and a family member's diagnosis.

Support Groups & Resources for Akron Families

A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family. These organizations provide support, education, counseling, and practical assistance for patients and caregivers.

National Organizations

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Research & Patient Support

Leading mesothelioma research foundation providing patient support, education, and peer-to-peer networking for patients and families.

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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

Advocacy & Education

National advocacy organization dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, providing support for those affected, and driving a global ban on asbestos.

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American Cancer Society

Patient Services

Comprehensive cancer support including patient navigation, local support groups, transportation assistance, lodging programs, and 24/7 helpline.

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CancerCare

Counseling & Support

Free professional counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and financial assistance programs for cancer patients and caregivers.

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Ohio Resources

Ohio Partners for Cancer Control

State Resources

State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting Ohio families with local support services, financial assistance, and treatment information.

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Personalized Resource Recommendations

Our team can connect your family with support resources tailored to your specific situation — including local support groups, financial assistance programs, and caregiver resources. Call 1-800-400-1805.

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Free Guide: Akron Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked in Akron's rubber plants, power stations, or industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • Akron rubber plant exposure sites and responsible companies
  • Ohio statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to Akron industrial cases
  • How to document your Akron work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for dual-exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for Akron workers' families

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Steps Akron Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. There is a great deal to process emotionally and medically, and legal considerations add another layer of urgency. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for Akron families facing this diagnosis. None of these steps require you to have all the answers right away — an experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide you through each one.

  1. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals in nearby Cleveland are among the nation's leading cancer treatment centers with specific expertise in mesothelioma. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your Akron work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at Goodyear, Firestone, B.F. Goodrich, General Tire, Ohio Edison, Babcock & Wilcox, or other Akron-area industrial sites. Include dates, job titles, the names of employers and contractors, and the names of any coworkers who can confirm your presence at these sites.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: handling brake lining compounds, removing pipe insulation, working near boilers, or performing maintenance on steam systems. If you served in the military, include your service branch, duty stations, and MOS or rating. This timeline will be used to identify which companies and trust funds are connected to your exposure.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. The Ohio statute of limitations gives you 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. While 2 years may sound like adequate time, building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Choose an attorney who focuses specifically on mesothelioma cases and has experience with Ohio industrial exposure. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and handles all cases on a contingency basis.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather and safeguard any records that support your exposure history: old tax returns showing employers, union membership cards, Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), medical records, and photographs from job sites. These documents strengthen your case and help your attorney identify every applicable source of compensation.
  6. Understand your compensation options. Akron mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources, including personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans. Your attorney should evaluate every option and pursue all applicable claims simultaneously.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped hundreds of industrial workers and their families through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We handle every aspect of the legal case so you can focus on your health and your family. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Request a free case review or call 1-800-400-1805.

Portrait of Paul Danziger, Co-Founder and Lead Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
Co-Founder & Lead Attorney

Paul Danziger

Texas Bar #00788880 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Paul Danziger has spent over 30 years representing mesothelioma patients and their families across the United States. He co-founded Danziger & De Llano, LLP with the mission of providing personal attention and aggressive advocacy that asbestos victims deserve.

Before law school, Paul earned his B.B.A. and a Master's degree in Tax Accounting from the University of Texas and worked as a CPA and tax consultant in New York. His financial and legal background gives him a distinctive ability to evaluate complex mesothelioma cases and maximize compensation for his clients.

Paul has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple times (2006–2009, 2014–2016, 2024) and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. He is also the executive producer and co-writer of the film Puncture (starring Chris Evans), based on a real product liability case.

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Co-Founder & Senior Trial Attorney

Rod De Llano

Texas Bar #00786666 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Rod De Llano brings over 30 years of complex litigation experience to every mesothelioma case he handles. A Princeton University graduate with a degree in economics, Rod combines analytical rigor with a deep commitment to justice for asbestos victims and their families.

Rod and Paul Danziger have worked together since law school at Northwestern, building one of the most experienced mesothelioma practices in the country. Rod's expertise in complex litigation — including multi-district asbestos cases, trust fund claims, and trial proceedings — ensures that every client receives the strongest possible representation.

30+ Years in Practice
Princeton University Graduate
$2B+ Recovered for Clients
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Find Out What Your Akron Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at an Akron rubber plant, power station, Babcock & Wilcox facility, or other industrial site and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience with industrial exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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Experienced Mesothelioma Firm Our attorneys know Ohio industrial exposure sites and the companies responsible for asbestos contamination.
Over 30 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Akron

Why does Akron have elevated mesothelioma risk?

Akron was the rubber capital of the world for much of the 20th century, home to Goodyear, Firestone, B.F. Goodrich, and General Tire. These massive plants used asbestos extensively in brake linings, gaskets, insulation, and heat-resistant components. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, rubber and tire industry workers are among the most heavily asbestos-exposed occupational groups. Combined with power plants like Ohio Edison and heavy manufacturers like Babcock & Wilcox, Akron workers faced occupational asbestos exposure across multiple industries for decades. The 20-to-50-year latency period means these historical exposures continue to produce new mesothelioma diagnoses today.

Which Akron rubber plants used asbestos?

All major rubber and tire manufacturers in Akron used asbestos-containing materials. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, B.F. Goodrich Company, and General Tire used asbestos in brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, pipe insulation, and building materials throughout their Akron facilities. Our attorneys maintain detailed records of asbestos use at specific Akron plants and can evaluate your work history at any of these locations.

Can Akron rubber workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Akron rubber and tire workers who were exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through multiple channels: personal injury lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, claims against asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), and in some cases VA benefits for veterans. Because many Akron workers were exposed at multiple plants over the course of a career, they may qualify for claims against several trust funds simultaneously, increasing total recovery.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Ohio?

Ohio allows 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Ohio applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. Given mesothelioma's 20-to-50-year latency period, this distinction is critical. Do not wait to explore your legal options — evidence and witnesses can become unavailable over time, and trust fund payment percentages can decline.

Did Babcock & Wilcox in Akron expose workers to asbestos?

Yes. Babcock & Wilcox, which operated major facilities in the Akron-Barberton area, manufactured boilers and power generation equipment that extensively used asbestos insulation. Workers who built, installed, and maintained Babcock & Wilcox products were exposed to asbestos fibers regularly. The company has established an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims of asbestos exposure from its products and operations.

Can family members of Akron rubber workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. Akron rubber plant workers frequently carried asbestos dust home on their clothing, skin, and hair, unknowingly exposing spouses and children who handled contaminated work clothes. Ohio courts recognize these secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through the same channels — lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements.

How much compensation can Akron mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation amounts vary based on the specifics of each case, including the number of responsible parties, the severity of illness, the patient's work history, and which trust funds apply. Akron cases often involve multiple rubber companies and industrial facilities, which can increase total recovery through multiple trust fund claims and lawsuits. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. While no attorney can guarantee a specific amount, our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.

How do I find a mesothelioma lawyer for my Akron case?

Look for attorneys who focus specifically on mesothelioma and asbestos litigation, have documented experience with Ohio industrial exposure cases, and work on a contingency fee basis (no fees unless they win). Danziger & De Llano has over 30 years of experience handling asbestos cases for rubber workers, power plant employees, veterans, and their families across Ohio and nationwide. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and can begin evaluating your case immediately. Call 1-800-400-1805 or submit a form above.

This page was last reviewed and updated on by the legal team at Danziger & De Llano, LLP.

Sources & References

  1. NCI SEER Program — Mesothelioma Cancer Stat Facts
  2. ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Asbestos
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Asbestos
  4. OSHA — Asbestos Standards and Regulations
  5. National Cancer Institute — Mesothelioma Treatment (PDQ)
  6. American Cancer Society — Malignant Mesothelioma
  7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Asbestos Exposure
  8. RAND Corporation — Asbestos Litigation Costs and Compensation

Akron Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at an Akron rubber plant, power station, or industrial facility, do not wait. The Ohio statute of limitations is 2 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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