Smoker’s Asbestos Case Reversed; No ‘Competent Medical Authority’ Offered

A woman can’t proceed with a suit over her late husband’s alleged asbestos exposure because she didn’t present a diagnosis by a “competent medical authority” as required under an Ohio statute governing asbestos claims involving smokers, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled (Renfrow v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., Ohio, 2013-0761, 9/3/14).

Justice Terrence O’Donnell, writing for the top court, agreed Sept. 3 with Norfolk Southern Railway Co. that Cleo Renfrow’s suit should be dismissed because she hadn’t presented any causation-related evidence from her husband’s treating doctor.

An Ohio trial court had previously ruled that the evidence submitted ...