Ohio Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Get a rough estimate of what a Ohio personal injury or dog-bite claim might be worth, based on your medical bills and losses. This is an estimate to understand the factors — not a prediction or an offer.
This is a rough estimate, not a prediction or an offer.
There is no formula that predicts a settlement. This tool uses the common "multiplier method" to show the factors that drive value and a wide range — actual outcomes depend on the facts, insurance limits, the venue, and negotiation. Consult a Ohio personal-injury attorney about your case.
Enter your medical bills and losses to see an estimated range
The multiplier method (pain-and-suffering as a multiple of your medical bills) is a common starting point, not a guarantee. Most personal-injury cases settle out of court; most attorneys work on a contingency fee (commonly around a third, but the rate is set by your agreement and some states regulate or cap it), and an attorney is the only way to value your specific claim. This tool is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
How the Estimate Works
No tool can predict a settlement — every case is different and the number depends on the facts, the available insurance, the venue, and negotiation. What this calculator does is apply the multiplier method, the rough starting point insurers and attorneys use: it adds up your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage), then estimates pain and suffering as a multiple of those damages (about 1.5× for minor injuries up to 5× or more for catastrophic ones), and shows a wide range. It is a way to understand value, not a guarantee.
It then applies Ohio's fault rule, because how fault is shared directly changes what you can recover.
Ohio's Fault Rule: modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
Ohio Rev. Code 2315.33 bars recovery only if the plaintiff's contributory fault is GREATER THAN the combined tortious conduct of all parties from whom recovery is sought (i.e., greater than 50%). A plaintiff who is 50% or less at fault may recover, with damages reduced proportionally under 2315.33-2315.35. Because the bar triggers when fault exceeds 50% (i.e., at 51%+), this is the modified-51 / "not greater than" form. The Ohio Department of Insurance describes this same rule.
Source: Ohio Rev. Code 2315.33.
Damage Caps in Ohio
Ohio caps pain-and-suffering damages. Ohio caps non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages in most injury cases (R.C. 2315.18) at the greater of $250,000 or 3× economic damages, up to $350,000 per plaintiff — but the cap is LIFTED for catastrophic injuries (permanent substantial deformity, loss of a limb, or loss of an organ system). Economic damages are uncapped. The estimator above already reflects this ceiling.
No cap on general personal-injury economic damages. However, NONeconomic (pain/suffering) damages in most tort PI actions ARE capped by R.C. 2315.18: the greater of $250,000 or 3x economic damages, up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff ($500,000 per occurrence) — but this cap is lifted for catastrophic injuries (permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb, or loss of a bodily organ system). Med-mal noneconomic caps are similar under R.C. 2323.43. Punitive damages capped at 2x compensatory damages under R.C. 2315.21.
Dog-Bite Liability in Ohio
Ohio Rev. Code 955.28(B) imposes strict liability on the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog for any injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by the dog. The plaintiff need not prove the owner knew of the dog's viciousness (no "one bite" required); elements are (1) ownership/keepership/harborship, (2) proximate cause, (3) damages. Statutory defenses: the injured person was trespassing, committing a criminal offense (other than a minor misdemeanor) on the owner's property, or teasing/tormenting/abusing the dog. A separate common-law claim allowing punitive damages also exists but requires proof of scienter.
Deadline to File a Claim in Ohio
Ohio generally requires a personal-injury lawsuit to be filed within 2 years of the injury (the statute of limitations). Ohio Rev. Code 2305.10: two years for bodily injury or injury to personal property, accruing when the injury/loss occurs. Discovery-rule accrual applies to specified toxic/exposure torts (e.g., asbestos). Medical-malpractice claims run under R.C. 2305.113 (1 year, with statute of repose). Miss it and your claim is usually barred no matter how strong it is, so do not wait to talk to an attorney.
- Negligence: modified comparative under R.C. 2315.33 — recover if 50% or less at fault, barred if your fault is greater than 50% (greater than the combined fault of all defendants); damages reduced by your fault percentage.
- Statute of limitations: 2 years for bodily injury under R.C. 2305.10, accruing when the injury or loss occurs (asbestos/toxic-exposure discovery-rule exceptions apply).
- Dog bites: strict liability under R.C. 955.28(B) — no need to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous; defenses are trespass, criminal conduct on the property, or provoking/abusing the dog.
- General personal-injury damages are NOT capped in Ohio.
- Notable caps: noneconomic damages in most PI cases are capped by R.C. 2315.18 (greater of $250,000 or 3x economic loss, max $350,000 per plaintiff / $500,000 per occurrence) but this cap does NOT apply to catastrophic injuries such as permanent and substantial physical deformity or loss of a limb/organ system. Medical-malpractice noneconomic caps under R.C. 2323.43 ($250k/$350k, $500k catastrophic). Punitive damages capped at 2x compensatory under R.C. 2315.21.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my Ohio injury claim worth?
No one can tell you a number in advance. A rough estimate adds your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and applies a pain-and-suffering multiplier, then adjusts for fault under Ohio's modified comparative negligence (51% bar) rule. The real value depends on the facts, the insurance available, and negotiation — an attorney is the only way to value your specific case.
Does my own fault reduce my Ohio settlement?
Yes. Ohio Rev. Code 2315.33 bars recovery only if the plaintiff's contributory fault is GREATER THAN the combined tortious conduct of all parties from whom recovery is sought (i.e., greater than 50%). A plaintiff who is 50% or less at fault may recover, with damages reduced proportionally under 2315.33-2315.35. Because the bar triggers when fault exceeds 50% (i.e., at 51%+), this is the modified-51 / "not greater than" form. The Ohio Department of Insurance describes this same rule.
How long do I have to file in Ohio?
Generally 2 years from the injury. Ohio Rev. Code 2305.10: two years for bodily injury or injury to personal property, accruing when the injury/loss occurs. Discovery-rule accrual applies to specified toxic/exposure torts (e.g., asbestos). Medical-malpractice claims run under R.C. 2305.113 (1 year, with statute of repose).
Is this calculator accurate?
It is a rough estimate to show the factors that drive value — not a prediction or an offer. Real settlements vary enormously. Treat any number here as a ballpark and consult a Ohio personal-injury attorney.
Disclaimer
This estimator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a prediction of any outcome. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm. The value of a personal-injury claim can only be assessed by a licensed attorney reviewing your specific facts.