The state may only be sued in the Court of Claims. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. This is advantageous to defendants, as Court of Claims cases are tried in the state capital before a judge, not a jury. A civil action against the state or its political subdivisions must be brought within two years from the time the cause of action arose or within any shorter period of time applicable in similar suits between private parties. Ohio Rev. Code Ann.
Political subdivisions are, however, immune from liability for punitive damages.
Also, collateral source benefits received by the claimant are deducted from any award against a political subdivision. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. Arbitration Ohio law allows for, but does not mandate, the reference of medical malpractice actions to an arbitration board. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. The decision of the arbitration board is non-binding and its opinion, together with any dissent, is not admissible into evidence at trial.