Punitive Damages in Ohio
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Ohio restricts punitive damages to cases involving fraud, malice, or gross negligence, with a statutory cap of two times compensatory damages or $350,000.
How Ohio treats Punitive Damages
Ohio law, codified in Ohio Revised Code § 2315.21, limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the compensatory award or $350,000 in most cases. Punitive damages require proof that the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or gross negligence. The cap does not apply to certain environmental or product liability claims, and courts must find clear and convincing evidence of the defendant's wrongful intent.
The general definition of Punitive Damages
Extra money awarded to punish wrongful conduct and deter future misconduct.
Punitive damages go beyond compensating you for your actual loss; they're meant to punish the other party for especially bad behavior and discourage similar conduct in the future. These are rare in contract cases and more common in situations involving fraud, gross negligence, or intentional harm. The amount can be much larger than your actual damages because the goal is deterrence, not just making you whole.
Read the full Punitive Damages entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.