Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 2919 | Offenses Against the Family
Section 2919.199 | Civil Action for Wrongful Death of Unborn Child.

Effective: July 11, 2019
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 23 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) A woman who meets either or both of the following criteria may file a civil action for the wrongful death of her unborn child:
(1) A woman on whom an abortion was performed or induced in violation of division (A) of section 2919.193 or division (A) of section 2919.195 of the Revised Code;
(2) A woman on whom an abortion was performed or induced who was not given the information described in divisions (A)(1) and (2) of section 2919.194 of the Revised Code or who did not sign a form described in division (A)(3) of section 2919.194 of the Revised code.
(B) A woman who prevails in an action filed under division (A) of this section shall receive both of the following from the person who committed the one or more acts described in division (A)(1) or (2) of this section:
(1) Damages in an amount equal to ten thousand dollars or an amount determined by the trier of fact after consideration of the evidence at the mother's election at any time prior to final judgment subject to the same defenses and requirements of proof, except any requirement of live birth, as would apply to a suit for the wrongful death of a child who had been born alive;
(2) Court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
(C) A determination by a court of record that division (A) of section 2919.193 of the Revised Code, division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of section 2919.194 of the Revised Code, or division (A) of section 2919.195 of the Revised Code is unconstitutional shall be a defense to an action filed under division (A) of this section alleging that the defendant violated the division that was determined to be unconstitutional.
(D) If the defendant in an action filed under division (A) of this section prevails and all of the following apply the court shall award reasonable attorney's fees to the defendant in accordance with section 2323.51 of the Revised Code:
(1) The court finds that the commencement of the action constitutes frivolous conduct, as defined in section 2323.51 of the Revised Code.
(2) The court's finding in division (D)(1) of this section is not based on that court or another court determining that division (A) of section 2919.193 of the Revised Code, division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of section 2919.194 of the Revised Code, or division (A) of section 2919.195 of the Revised Code is unconstitutional.
(3) The court finds that the defendant was adversely affected by the frivolous conduct.

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