Ohio's Damage Caps: What Limits Apply to Your Injury Compensation

Ohio limits certain categories of compensation — but the most serious injuries are specifically exempt from those limits.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Economic damages — medical bills, lost wages, future care, property damage — are not capped in Ohio. They are limited only by what you can prove.

Non-economic damages compensate intangible harm: pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The Non-Economic Cap

Ohio caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most injury cases at the greater of $250,000 or three times economic damages, up to $350,000 per plaintiff — though the cap does not apply to catastrophic injuries like permanent disfigurement or loss of a limb.

Catastrophic Injury Exceptions

The cap does not apply when the injury involves permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of a limb, loss of a bodily organ system, or a permanent physical functional injury that prevents independent living. These exceptions exist precisely because the most devastating injuries deserve full compensation.

Punitive Damages

Ohio also limits punitive damages — generally to twice the compensatory damages — and they are only available where the defendant acted with malice or conscious disregard for others' safety, such as a drunk driver who caused a crash.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Ohio attorney.