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Ohio · head & brain

Head & brain settlements
in Ohio.

By 6 min read

Ohio applies modified-51 comparative fault and is one of the few US states imposing a general (not just med-mal) non-economic damages cap, capped at $250,000 or 3× economic damages with $350,000–$500,000 ceilings. For head & brain claims specifically, the band is built from the state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps framework and then adjusted for Ohio's modified comparative — 51% bar and any applicable statutory cap.

Ohio applies modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. A head & brain claimant who is 50% at fault still recovers 50% of damages; one assigned 51% recovers nothing. This is slightly more claimant-friendly than the 50% bar applied in some neighbouring states, and it leaves room for negotiation in mixed-liability head & brain cases where the comparative-fault split is close to even.

Head injury and traumatic brain injury claims sit at the upper end of the US band and are most affected by statutory caps. Ohio's caps (non-economic damages cap (general), punitive damages cap) can compress catastrophic head & brain verdicts even where the underlying damages — future care, lost earning capacity, life-care plan costs — clearly justify the higher figure.

band · US federal frame
$500,000 – multi-million
Severe traumatic brain injury
Catastrophic-case reported decisions

The US band is the starting point. Ohio's fault rule and any applicable cap then adjust the figure.

OH · statute of limitations
2 years from date of injury

Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10

OH · fault rule
Modified comparative — 51% bar

Modified comparative — recovery barred at 51% claimant fault.

OH · caps

What caps recovery.

Statutory caps that may bear on a head & brain settlement in Ohio.

head & brain severity tiers · US frame

How the band stratifies.

The state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps stratifies head & brain into the tiers below. Ohio courts apply the same tier structure, adjusted for state-specific factors.

Severity tierBandBasis
Concussion / mild TBI$25,000 – $100,000Reported decisions
Severe traumatic brain injury$500,000 – multi-millionCatastrophic-case reported decisions
head & brain · same region & fault regime

Compare to like jurisdictions.

How Ohio's fault rule and limitation period compare to jurisdictions in the same US region and to those running the same fault rule for head & brain claims.

JurisdictionFault ruleLimitationHead & brain page
Ohio · you are hereModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injury
South DakotaPure comparative negligence3 years from date of injurySD · head & brain
WisconsinModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injuryWI · head & brain
IllinoisModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIL · head & brain
IndianaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIN · head & brain
IowaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIA · head & brain
KansasModified comparative — 50% bar2 years from date of injuryKS · head & brain
OklahomaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryOK · head & brain
OregonModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryOR · head & brain
PennsylvaniaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryPA · head & brain
South CarolinaModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injurySC · head & brain
Rhode IslandPure comparative negligence3 years from date of injuryRI · head & brain
TennesseeModified comparative — 50% bar1 year from date of injury — among the shortest in the USTN · head & brain
OH · head & brain · frequently asked

Common questions.

Each answer is independently coherent and references the relevant statute or authority document.

editorial note

Figures on this page are starting points: the US band adjusted for Ohio's statutory framework. They are not quotes for any specific case. For representation, consult an attorney admitted in Ohio. See /methodology, /sources, and /disclaimer.