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Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio SB 241 imposes a $50,000 fine on employers who lose court appeals of firefighter cancer workers' compensation awards
Last action · October 1, 2025: Referred to Financial Institutions, Insurance and TechnologySponsor: Thomas Patton
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What This Bill Would Do
Ohio Senate Bill 241 requires trial judges to assess a mandatory $50,000 penalty against any employer that unsuccessfully appeals a workers' compensation award for cancer incurred by a firefighter during hazardous duty. The collected penalty is paid directly to the claimant. The measure amends section 4123.512 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancer who face court challenges from employers over workers' compensation receive an additional $50,000 payment if the employer's appeal fails. Conversely, employers challenging these specific claims face heightened financial liability if they do not prevail in court.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Firefighters
Firefighters who contract cancer during hazardous duty and receive workers' compensation awards are eligible to receive a $50,000 penalty payment directly if an employer's appeal against their award is defeated.
Employers
Employers who appeal workers' compensation awards related to firefighter cancer face a mandatory $50,000 penalty if they lose the appeal.
Workers' compensation claimants
Claimants maintain the right to receive ongoing compensation and medical benefits during the pendency of employer court appeals without stays on payment.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the new $50,000 penalty for employers?
Who receives the money from the $50,000 penalty?
Does filing an appeal stop workers' compensation payments during the legal process?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Oct 1, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology
- Jul 30, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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