The state Supreme Court claims the 2004 law is in accordance with Ohio's state constitution because the changes were considered "remedial and procedural," thus not in violation of the Ohio Constitution, which bans retroactive laws that change the nature or substance of legislation.

The 2004 legislation mandates that a medical expert must treat the plaintiff, not just review the claimant's files. Additionally, plaintiffs must present medical evidence that exposure to asbestos, which is known to cause terminal diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, caused their disease or medical impairment. 

The ruling could have implications in states such as Georgia, Kansas, Florida, and others that have tried to enact laws that effectively diminish the amount of asbestos-related litigation. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled out the retroactivity of the state's asbestos litigation law, which prompted state lawmakers to pass another piece of legislation that has yet to be challenged in court. In Florida, a similar law has been challenged in the courts and a ruling is slated for next year. Another similar law in Kansas has not been challenged in the courts.

Many asbestos-related lawsuits are brought on behalf of those suffering with pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of the rare cancer. These persons are seeking compensation (and mesothelioma surgery is costly) to help pay for their medical bills from mesothelioma treatments and the costs incurred from being diagnosed with the terminal disease. Mesothelioma settlements can range but some cases reach the millions.

Mesothelioma lawyers and human rights activists claim the Ohio Supreme Court ruling clearly favors big business and asbestos corporations over injured Ohio citizens who are undoubtedly suffering from asbestos-induced medical conditions.

What’s up people? I'm writing a blog on myspace for the 1st time ever because today is a day that merits me taking time off to do so. We have come so far as a country, and have come closer to embracing the ideals that "all men are created equal" . Today we have uplifted The United States of America  as a democracy where every citizen has a voice and a say about their future. The American people have spoken and Obama has won by a landslide. I A.M not writing to give some superficial explanation of how now, we are  going to live in a perfect country, and all of our lives are going to change as a result of our new government and president. I want to be clear, I did not vote for Obama because he is to be the 1st black president, or because he was the popular choice, or because his slogan was change.

I voted for a Harvard law graduate who was 1st in his class. A man who's dedicated his life towards public service, and a man who will bring about change simply because he's got the God given brains to do so (man it’s about time we have some brains in the white house!). I voted for a man that will make my future, and the future of my family better. I A.M not one who makes $250,000 a yr. I A.M  in the 95% category that would love for the wealth to be spread around a little bit, because sometimes its DAMN HARD. I A.M however, writing to those friends and family that have embraced the idea that Mccain is for God and Obama is not. Those who have the silly misconception that Obama might be a terrorist, communist, or worst , the Anti-Christ. I have the fortune to be surrounded by friends and family that don’t always share the same political and religious views as me. I A.M indebted to these people because they force me daily, to study both sides of any story. I A.M learned and educated because I refuse to come across as ignorant over daily lunch and dinner conversations. So it is my responsibility to deal with this!

Firstly, to those who have said that Barack Hussein Obama is a terrorist I say "prove it"! General Colin Powel, one of the brightest minds in U.S politics endorsed Obama because he's a terrorist, right? The REPUBLICAN General who under Bush was in charge of armed forces in desert storm endorsed Obama;. What was the reason for the endorsement?  Mr. Powell told reporters after the taping of “Meet the Press” that he had been disturbed in recent weeks by the negative tone of Mr. McCain’s campaign, …The McCain campaign has sought to promote the idea that Mr. Obama is “palling around with terrorists,” in the words of Mr. McCain’s running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, because of Mr. Obama’s weak links to Mr. -Ayers.- So the once Republican secretary of state shunned the notion that he was a terrorist despite Palin suggesting he was. How about the comments that I’ve heard about Obama not being Christian. The notion that A Muslim president would be the end of the world even though it couldn’t be farther from the truth. How can we be so quick to defend our Christian faith that teaches humility, patience, tolerance and yet be so far removed from Islam which has the same roots. Why didn’t a single Christian stand up against George W. when he decapitated Hussein on the Muslims high holiday of  Eid al-Adha? Sure Hussein was a dictator and tyrant but couldn’t it have waited another day? Maybe Bush could’ve executed him two days earlier.  That was a huge slap to the face to Muslims everywhere and yet none of it was ever mentioned on American television. If we can agree that the very foundations of this country revolve around religious freedoms we must also agree that the disrespect shown to Muslims was a breakdown of this precious freedom.

Secondly, to those that believe that all socialism is synonymous with communism are entertaining the idea that our closest allies are communist. Most if not all countries in Europe will embrace a certain small degree of socialism. As a result they enjoy tremendous benefits, phenomenal health care, and look forward to a relaxing retirement. If you don’t believe that health care needs socialization you probably haven’t lived with the fear that if your daughter gets sick you might lose everything you have. Families have lost homes and have had to declare bankruptcy due to a healthcare that falls 37th in the world because of greedy private companies. We can look at a social security system that might not have enough funds after the baby boomers retire. 401 k's that have plummeted as a result of a stock market crash. Americans work harder than any other country and also vacation less than any other country. By the way, we are also very unhealthy, more heart attacks than any other country as a result of overwork and stress. At some point the government would need to step in  the same  way  others have so that we too may enjoy these benefits.

Last, and Most certainly not least,  this theory from Christians that believe that every man in power that has a different political agenda is the anti Christ is plain ridiculous and absurd!!! Read your bibles people and stop listening to a man that learned from a man that learned from another man. Sunday after sunday we follow ridiculous theories from pastors that would be dumbfounded if they were to actually read the bible instead of an outline for next Sundays sermon. These "canned sermons" are not geared to get you closer to God but to do, say and pay the way they and their teachers want you too. WAKE UP and become a leader and not a follower! So I will end with this Anti Christ 101. The 1st time the anti Christ comes up in the bible is in Daniel 7. In that Chapter Daniel has a vision. He sees 4 beasts and the fourth being more powerful and stronger than the first 3. It mentions that the fourth beast had 10 horns and that a "little horn" came up from the ten and destroyed 3 horns. The beast very simply are world kingdoms (verse 23)so the horn is simply a king. There have been 4 world empires, Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece and Rome. The Anti- Christ will destroy 3 horns or kings (verse 24) and most importantly will change times and laws. The most prevalent and strongest warning about the antichrist comes in Revelation 13:15-18 “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six”.(666). Ok, so the anti- Christ is A Religious-Political figure that rises from a World Kingdom,  Changed Times and Laws, and makes people worship, and his name adds up to 666. The United States is not a (whole) world empire, Obama did not subdue 3 kings from 3 different countries to gain power. Obama has not changed a single law and has not changed time. Obama does not make people worship and his name does not add up to 666. So therefore he is not and can’t be the anti- Christ. In fact the Anti - Christ is more like a religious zealot that wants to enforce biblical or religious laws, blend Church and State and forces people to worship. If you really want to be a little closer or at least sound like you know what you’re talking about try a man that calls himself “equal to the son of God” and wears the title Vicarious Filii Dei  . Add that name up in roman numerals and see what number you come up with people (now you’re getting hotter).

In conclusion, I don’t agree with abortion, and I’m not far left either, but I would much rather have free will to choose what is wrong and what is right than to have somebody force it upon me. After all isn’t that the way God made us? Now more than ever it is time to accept who our President is and stand up as Americans. For the 1st time in a long time I feel like making a difference. I feel like I can make a change. I feel proud of who I am and of my direction. For the 1st time in a long time I can say I’m proud to be an American.

For much of the country, fall is in the air and the nights and early mornings are starting to dip below freezing. For some, it's a welcome change from hot summer days and sticky summer nights. Other folks aren't so fond of the cold weather, counting the days until spring peeks its head through the chilly frost, producing colorful flowers and warm days once again.

Unfortunately, there are those of us who have to live with the cold and many who live in older, drafty houses that sometimes chill to the bone. I have a friend who lives in a beautiful Victorian home in suburban Philadelphia that's simply stunning but fails to keep its residents warm and toasty during sometimes bitter cold months like January and February. This long-time friend recently decided to do something more about the poor insulation in her 100+-year-old home, noting that her aging bones and muscles weren't dealing with the chill the way they once did.

Being more of a money-saver than a green proponent, she began to research the "cheapest' way to upgrade the insulation in her huge home, which has three stories, five bedrooms, and lots of high ceilings. Before she made any definite decisions, a few eco-conscious friends encouraged her to investigate some alternatives to the classic pink fiberglass stuff that has been wreaking havoc with people's health for decades. Fiberglass is destined - according to many experts - to someday be "the new asbestos". These experts expect to soon see an onslaught of lawsuits connected to the use of fiberglass, not unlike the lawsuits for asbestos-caused mesothelioma lawyer cases that clog the court dockets today, with individuals like shipbuilders and construction workers seeking mesothelioma settlements for the severe health problems they now face.

My friend was pleasantly surprised at her options and soon decided that going green wasn't all that expensive and may be the right direction for her, especially since she suffers from severe allergies at particular seasons of the year. She investigated three options;

• Cellulose - Some people chuckle when they learn that this insulation product is simply finely-shredded newsprint treated with a chemical to reduce mold and strengthen fire and heat resistance. They don't laugh, however, when they learn that statistics show it reduces energy bills as much as 20-25 percent per year. It's become one of the most popular green insulating materials on the market.
• Cotton fiber - Not unlike cellulose, cotton fiber insulation has been known to also reduce annual energy costs. It's generally crafted from a batted cotton material like denim then treated with borate - a natural fire-retardant - which obviously increases its fire resistance. Some people jokingly call it "Blue Jean Insulation." But the best reason to use it is that it's TOTALLY non-toxic, releasing no off-gasses. One popular brand, Ultra Touch by Bonded Logic, was recently touted in Newsweek magazine.
• Spray Polyurethane Foams - My friend wasn't so impressed with some of these because, after some research, she discovered that many of them release PBDEs (polybrominated diethyl ethers), which - studies show - can cause some mental health problems. One variety, icynene, does not contain PBDEs, but its installation turned out to be rather expensive. If you're willing to foot the bill, however, icynene works well and reduces energy bills by up to 35 percent, manufacturers say.

Ultimately, my friend went with the "Blue Jean Insulation." I think she somehow liked to imagine recycled Levis lining the attic in her grand Victorian home. Though winter hasn't fully set in yet, she says she notices the difference and already feels like the air in her home is more pure. She's probably right.

Internal Environmental Quality
What fills your lungs inside your home may be worse that what you’re breathing outside!

For decades, the word “pollution” has been on the docket of every politician campaigning for one office or another. Cleaning up our air, our water, and our overall outdoor environment has been a huge priority since the 1960s, when the word “air pollution” first came into vogue. We’ve fought for emission laws, battled against companies that empty hazardous chemicals into our streams, and have made numerous other attempts to reduce the carbon footprint stamped on our outside world.

But what about the world inside our homes and offices? Surely, aside from a few germs and bacteria spread by family members and co-workers, our interior domains – for the most part – keep us safe and healthy, don’t they?

Not really. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "known health effects of indoor pollutants include asthma; cancer; developmental defects and delays, including effects on vision, hearing, growth, intelligence, and learning; and effects on the cardiovascular system.” (Source: Healthy Buildings, Healthy People: A Vision for the 21st Century) And when you consider that the average American spends 90 percent of his/her time indoors, it’s easy to understand why cancer rates and the number of people affected by other environmental diseases are through the roof!I know a florida probate lawyer who sees consumer ignorance all of the time, as people remodel homes they inherit without first checking out all safety provisions.

Hazards of Old Homes and Workplaces

Indoor environmental contaminants weren’t much of an issue when America was involved in the post-World War II building frenzy. The biggest concern was providing homes for all those growing baby boomer families, so houses went up quickly. Builders like William Levitt – famous for his many “Levittown” developments – constructed thousands upon thousands of homes in just a few years time, enticing homebuyers to the suburbs of America’s great cities where they could buy mass-produced homes cheaply.

Of course, not ever quickly-built, inexpensively-priced home of yesteryear was toxic, but many probably contained one of the biggest hazards of the 20th century – asbestos. Little or no thought was given to the use of this naturally-mined mineral; everyone was impressed by its heat- and fire-resistant qualities, and because it was readily available, it was cheap and easy to obtain.

However, during the last 30 years, asbestos has emerged as the poster child for indoor environmental toxins, sickening not only those who worked in the construction industry of that era but also homeowners and do-it-yourselfers who came in contact with toxic forms of the mineral.

While bundled, intact asbestos generally causes no release of toxins and may merely require containment, damaged or old asbestos in both homes and commercial buildings can be a real stinker. “Friable” asbestos – the old stuff that crumbles and flakes off – is easily inhaled and absorbed into the lungs, where it wreaks havoc with pulmonary function. While not everyone who inhales asbestos develops asbestos-related diseases, the risk is very real, especially when asbestos is disturbed during renovation or demolition projects. Asbestos was used in various sorts of insulation and could also be found in floor tiles, “popcorn” ceilings, drywall glue, and myriad other building products. It’s often encountered during remodeling, much to the surprise of many homeowners.

And because most asbestos diseases, such as the cancer peritoneal mesothelioma, remain latent for 30-40 years, many individuals who were unaware of the dangers of working with asbestos – including both homeowners and construction workers – are just learning that they’re battling this dreaded disease. By the time it is recognized, it is too late and no mesothelioma surgery or any other treatment options result in a cure.

New Homes?

Of course, the building boom continues in America, despite economic woes, and we no longer have to worry about asbestos and other similar toxins, do we?

Ever walk through a poshly-decorated sample home and take a deep whiff of that “new home” smell? Aah…doesn’t it smell marvelous? Fresh paint, new carpets…all those things you’d want in your brand new abode. Nothing to worry about here. No asbestos, no lead paint. Just a safe and clean place to live, free from all the contaminants found in old homes that were built before toxins were a concern, right?

Wrong! Various scientific studies have shown that our tightly sealed homes of the 21st century are full of toxins. Remember that “new home” smell? That’s just a plethora of cancer-causing vapors drifting through your home, cleverly disguised as those “fresh and clean” smells that are expected in new construction. These petro-chemical concoctions from products such as synthetic carpets, toxic paints, particle board, and OSB (a.k.a. wafer board) are slowly sickening the inhabitants of newer homes and offices and most Americans simply don’t realize this is the case.

So, what’s the answer? Green building experts will tell you it all has to do with reducing what they like to call VOCs – volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde – at the source. These compounds cause cancer, skin ailments, and any number of other diseases, like asthma, which is at an all-time high among the nation’s children.

Asbestos may be a thing of the past, but today’s widely-used inexpensive building materials are destined to be the new asbestos. Formaldehyde, for example, is everywhere. You’ll find it in pressed wood cabinets and furniture, paints, glues, draperies, and in fuel-burning appliances.  Eliminating formaldehyde at the source by choosing eco-friendly building products significantly reduces exposure to toxins and increases the internal environmental quality of a home or office.

Building green has never made so much sense and more and more green builders are emerging. Buyers of new homes and renovators of old ones, however, must be willing to go the extra mile and spend the extra dollar on building products that make sense. The quality of our indoor spaces – in a time when Americans spend way too much time indoors – is an issue which must be addressed with ongoing fervor –  a fervor necessary in order to avoid another asbestos-like environmental catastrophe.

Hurricane Ike has swept through the Gulf Coast and as expected, many businesses and homes were destroyed. This was foreseen in the days leading up to Ike’s landfall but the true cost in terms of loss of natural resources, wildlife and human life is hard to measure.

As the Atlantic Ocean continues to warm up hurricanes are becoming more frequent and powerful. While the threat of terrorism is resulting in billions of dollars spent towards a variety of wars, it is becoming increasingly evident that American citizens need to wake up to natural disasters on our homeland and step up to help those in need, regardless of what actions the government does or does not take.

Action is crucial in times like these but it’s vital to do things the safest way possible because sometimes people can make a situation worse. Here are some ways to best clean up Texas in the aftermath of hurricane Ike and what dangers to look out for.

• Check your home’s exterior and hose down debris and mud left by floodwater. Beware of interior doors that stick because it could indicate a ceiling ready to fall.
• Use fans, dehumidifiers and products such as calcium chloride pellets and cat litter to get rid of excess moisture.
• Remove wet wallpaper - damp wallpaper paste is a prime location for mold to grow.
• Ask a contractor or building inspector to check for mold damage after a flood.
• Scrub all interior surfaces that were in contact with floodwaters with bleach or a household disinfectant containing bleach
• If a house is destroyed, partially torn down or will need to be torn down, make sure your home is properly inspected for asbestos. Once old asbestos is exposed, it can lead to breathing problems and even a deadly cancer known as mesothelioma.(read more)