The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code to increase the caps on noneconomic and punitive damages in civil actions. It raises the maximum recoverable amounts for noneconomic loss from $250,000 to $415,000 and for total damages from $350,000 to $580,000 for each plaintiff, with an overall cap of $830,000 per occurrence. Additionally, the bill introduces a mechanism for the Department of Taxation to adjust these caps annually based on the consumer price index, ensuring that the limits remain aligned with inflation. The bill also clarifies the conditions under which punitive damages can be awarded, particularly in product liability claims, emphasizing that liability requires clear and convincing evidence of misconduct and that compliance with safety standards may exempt manufacturers from punitive damages.

Moreover, the bill establishes new guidelines for compensatory damages in civil actions related to medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claims, removing the previous cap on noneconomic damages for severe injuries. It mandates annual adjustments to the new limits based on the consumer price index and clarifies the process for determining damages, requiring courts to specify the total compensatory damages and the breakdown between economic and noneconomic losses. The bill also specifies that punitive damages cannot be awarded against political subdivisions and outlines the procedures for attorneys' fees in cases exceeding the limits on noneconomic damages. Overall, the bill aims to create a more structured and fair approach to tort claims while providing protections for defendants against excessive awards.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2305.01, 2307.80, 2315.18, 2315.21, 2323.43, 2744.05, 3345.40