OHIO
The Columbus Dispatch
By Randy Ludlow
The Columbus Dispatch • Thursday May 14, 2015
A divided Ohio Supreme Court ruled today that children sexually assaulted at state institutions have 12 years — instead of two years — to sue state agencies for damages.
In a 4-3 decision, the court majority ruled that the 12-year statute of limitations for filing sexual-assault claims from age 18 overrides a law requiring lawsuits against the state to be filed within two years.
Those victimized by teachers, coaches, clergy, local juvenile-detention-center employees and others have until age 30 to sue their molesters and their private- or public-sector employers for damages.
But those molested by state employees in state institutions had only until age 20 to file lawsuits in the Court of Claims prior to today’s ruling.
The justices heard arguments a year ago that the differing deadlines — from the time victims become adults — shield state agencies from damage claims filed by victims who often need years to “process” the trauma they suffered.
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