Ohio law

Commercial Litigation Laws in Ohio.

Ohio commercial litigation runs through the Court of Common Pleas (general jurisdiction). Specialized Commercial Docket programs operate in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, and Lucas counties. Ohio follows the UCC. The Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (OCSPA, Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 1345) is a plaintiff-friendly consumer-protection statute with discretionary treble damages up to $5,000 plus attorney fees. Ohio also has the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 4165). Ohio tort reform imposes caps on noneconomic and punitive damages.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

2 years (most torts); 4 years (property damage written); 6 years (oral contracts); 8 years (written contracts pre-2012; 6 years post-2012)Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2305.06, 2305.07, 2305.10

Written contracts: 8 years pre-September 2012, 6 years after 2012 (H.B. 509). Oral contracts: 6 years. Property damage: 4 years. Most torts: 2 years. Fraud: 4 years from discovery.

State law

Key Ohio Statutes

Ohio UCC Article 2 (Sales)Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 1302

Governs sales of goods including warranties, remedies, statute of frauds ($500+), and breach. 4-year statute of limitations for UCC sales claims.

Commercial DocketOhio Sup. R. 49-49.11

Specialized Commercial Docket programs in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, and Lucas counties handle complex commercial cases with dedicated judges.

Ohio Consumer Sales Practices ActOhio Rev. Code Chapter 1345

Prohibits unconscionable or deceptive acts in consumer transactions. Private cause of action with actual damages, discretionary treble damages (capped at $5,000 for individuals) for knowing violations, plus attorney fees.

Noneconomic Damages Cap (General Tort)Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.18

Ohio caps noneconomic damages at the GREATER of (1) $250,000 or (2) 3x economic damages, but NOT exceeding $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence. Higher cap for catastrophic injuries. Does not apply to wrongful-death or intentional-tort claims.

Punitive Damages CapOhio Rev. Code § 2315.21

Punitive damages capped at 2x compensatory damages, with further limit of 10% of employer defendant's net worth (up to $350K for small employer).

Prejudgment InterestOhio Rev. Code § 1343.03

Statutory prejudgment interest rate (adjusted annually) applies to money judgments.

State law

Official Sources

Ohio Supreme Court Ohio Revised Code

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.

Next step

Move from state law into guided help or attorney search.

If you want help applying this information to your situation, start with guided help or browse attorneys for this issue in Ohio.

Get guided help Browse Commercial Litigation attorneys

Commercial Litigation Laws in Ohio.

Statute of Limitations

Key Ohio Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

Move from state law into guided help or attorney search.

Other state law topics.