Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio Court of Claims today granted preliminary approval of a class action settlement in Kacin v. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Case No. 2023-00204JD, that will provide full refunds to 100% disabled veterans who were improperly charged registration fees and taxes for Specialty Military License Plates.
Under the terms of the settlement, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (“BMV”) has agreed to provide a complete refund of all registration taxes and fees paid by eligible class members who purchased Specialty Military License Plates at Deputy Registrar offices on or after October 17, 2019. The BMV will also separately pay all costs associated with notice and settlement administration, ensuring that no portion of the refunds owed to veterans is reduced by administrative expenses.
The case arose after the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 194 in 2018, which created Specialty Military License Plates honoring veterans’ service. A subsequent amendment, R.C. §4503.29(D)(2)(b), required the BMV to waive registration taxes and fees for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. Despite the clear statutory mandate, the BMV continued to charge these veterans the full amount for their plates.
“This settlement delivers exactly what these veterans deserve — every dollar they were wrongly charged will be returned to them,” said Marc Dann, Managing Partner of DannLaw and former Ohio Attorney General. “These men and women gave everything in service to our country. The State of Ohio made them a promise when it passed this law, and today we are holding the State to that promise.”
The Tenth District Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s initial denial of class certification on December 30, 2025, holding that the BMV’s retention of registration taxes and fees from eligible disabled veterans was unjust as a matter of law. Following remand, the parties engaged in arm’s-length settlement negotiations that produced this agreement.
“After more than three years of hard-fought litigation, including a successful appeal to the Tenth District Court of Appeals, we are proud to have secured a result that provides class members with a full recovery of their damages,” said Tom Zimmerman, owner of Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. “This outcome reflects the strength of the veterans’ claims and the dedication of everyone involved in pursuing justice on their behalf.”
“As a former state legislator, I understand the intent behind the laws we pass — and it is deeply troubling when a state agency fails to implement a program designed to honor our most severely disabled veterans,” said Jeff Crossman, attorney at DannLaw and former member of the Ohio House of Representatives. “This settlement ensures that the General Assembly’s promise to Ohio’s 100% disabled veterans is finally fulfilled.”
Class members will receive notice by direct mail and email. Notice will also be posted at Deputy Registrar locations and Veterans Service Organizations throughout Ohio. Eligible class members will be required to submit a Declaration of Eligibility and documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirming their 100% service-connected disability status. Kroll Settlement Administration LLC has been appointed Settlement Administrator.
For more information, class members may contact Class Counsel:
DannLaw — Marc E. Dann, Brian D. Flick, Jeffrey A. Crossman 15000 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107 (216) 373-0539 | no*****@*****aw.com
Zimmerman Law Offices, P.C. — Thomas A. Zimmerman, Jr., 7199 S. Kingery Highway, Unit 1148, Willowbrook, IL 60527 (312) 440-0020 | fi**@*********im.com
