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Tort reforms cited in Ohio’s medical claims decline

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Staff Report 11:10 AM Wednesday, February 3, 2010

COLUMBUS — The number of medical liability closed claims in Ohio has dropped 40 percent since 2005, when tort reform legislation was passed, according to the Ohio Department of Insurance’s fourth Ohio Medical Liability Closed Claim Report.

The report is mandated as part of tort reform legislation passed by the state legislature.

Medical liability closed claims dropped 11 percent from 2007 to 2008, the third straight year of declines, according to data from the report.

The legislative changes included capping noneconomic damages at $350,000; affidavit of merit requirement; statute of repose; and limitations on claims, according to the Ohio State Medical Association, which pushed for the legislative changes.

Since 2006, premiums have decreased an average of 22 percent, with some carriers dropping rates as much as 40 percent, OSMA said.

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