What is the maximum amount of punitive damages that can typically be awarded in Ohio?

In Ohio, the law sets specific limits on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in civil cases. The correct answer is that the maximum punitive damages are typically capped at twice the amount of compensatory or economic damages awarded to the plaintiff.

This guideline is outlined in the Ohio Revised Code, which aims to ensure that punitive damages serve their intended purpose of punishment and deterrence without allowing for excessive financial consequences that could be seen as disproportionately punitive. Therefore, the formula of twice the economic damages provides a balanced approach that discourages wrongful conduct while also ensuring that the damages remain reasonable and justifiable in the context of the case at hand.

The other options do not accurately reflect Ohio's legal standards: punitive damages are not unlimited (which would imply that juries can set any amount they choose), nor is there a provision for them to be capped at three times the economic damages, or for there to be no limit set by law. This structured approach helps maintain fairness in the civil justice system while still holding wrongdoers accountable.