On January 6, 2005, the Ohio Legislature implemented Senate Bill 80, a comprehensive tort reform law which made radical changes in Ohio personal injury law. That new law greatly limits the rights of an injured party to be fully compensated for their injuries and damages.
The Legislature established a cap of $250,000.00 on non-economic damages in all tort actions. Non-economic damages is commonly referred to as “pain and suffering” damages. Those damages are different from economic damages, which are usually medical bills and loss of income. The cap on non-economic damages does not apply when the non-economic losses are for permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb, or loss of a bodily organ system. Furthermore, the legislation establishes caps on punitive damages, which cannot be greater than two times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to an injured party.
If you have any questions regarding these damage caps, or any other questions pertaining to damages for personal injury claims, contact the experienced injury lawyers at Bilfield & Associates, LLC..