Wayt v. DHSC, L.L.C. (Slip Opinion)

*402 {¶ 1} Appellee, Ann Wayt, filed a civil complaint against appellant, DHSC, L.L.C., d.b.a. Affinity Medical Center ("Affinity Medical"), alleging, among other claims, defamation. The case proceeded to trial. The only claim submitted to the jury was for defamation. The jury found that Wayt had been defamed and awarded her $800,000 in compensatory damages and $750,000 in punitive damages.

{¶ 2} The only issue before this court is whether the cap on damages for noneconomic loss set forth in R.C. 2315.18(B)(2) applies to compensatory damages awarded for defamation. We hold that the statute…