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HB 447

Regards the dollar caps on certain damages in civil actions

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brian Stewart

HB 447 establishes dollar limits on damages recoverable in Ohio civil lawsuits, affecting plaintiff compensation and defendant liability exposure across multiple case types.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 447

Legislative bill overview

HB 447 establishes or modifies dollar caps (damage limits) that can be awarded in certain types of civil lawsuits in Ohio. The bill addresses how much money plaintiffs can recover for various categories of damages, potentially including compensatory or punitive damages depending on the specific provisions.

Why is this important

Damage caps directly affect how much compensation injured parties can receive and influence litigation costs and settlement amounts. This impacts both plaintiffs seeking recovery for injuries and defendants/insurers facing liability exposure, while also potentially affecting insurance premiums and healthcare costs across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Plaintiff access to justice: Whether caps limit fair compensation for severe injuries, disproportionately harming those with catastrophic damages
  • Business liability concerns: Debate over whether caps adequately protect businesses and insurers or shift uncompensated losses to injured parties
  • Scope and specificity: Which civil actions are covered (medical malpractice, product liability, general negligence, etc.) and whether different cap levels create inconsistent justice outcomes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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