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 per plaintiff, with an overall cap of $830,000 for each 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. It also clarifies the conditions under which punitive damages can be awarded, emphasizing that manufacturers or suppliers can only be held liable if clear and convincing evidence of misconduct is established, and specifies that compliance with safety standards may exempt them from punitive damages.

Moreover, the bill outlines a bifurcation process for trials involving both compensatory and punitive damages, requiring separate determinations for each. It establishes a cap on punitive damages, limiting them to twice the amount of compensatory damages awarded, and includes provisions for small employers. The bill also removes the previous cap on noneconomic damages in medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claims, allowing for unlimited recovery in cases of severe injuries, while setting new limits for noneconomic damages at $415,000 or three times the plaintiff's economic loss. It mandates annual adjustments to these figures based on the consumer price index and clarifies the process for determining damages, ensuring that courts specify the total compensatory damages and the breakdown between economic and noneconomic losses.

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