What is the "Collateral Source Rule" in Ohio tort law?

The Collateral Source Rule in Ohio tort law maintains that a defendant cannot reduce their liability by introducing evidence that the plaintiff has received compensation from other sources for the same injury or loss. This means that if a plaintiff has received payment from a collateral source, such as insurance or an employee benefits program, the defendant may not use this information to argue that they should be held less responsible. The intention behind this rule is to ensure that plaintiffs receive full compensation for their injuries and that defendants cannot benefit from the existence of other compensatory sources.

The rationale for this rule stems from the belief that a plaintiff should not suffer a reduction in damages awarded due to the compensation they receive from unrelated sources. Essentially, it upholds the principle that the plaintiff's right to recover should not be diminished by their ability to secure compensation from other avenues, thereby preserving the motivation for defendants to act with care to avoid causing harm.