Relator, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, filed petition for writ of prohibition ordering Court of Common Pleas to stop exercising jurisdiction over underlying case, a class action brought by city, alleging that Bureau illegally overcharged the public employers group-rated workers’ compensation premiums and seeking refund of excessive premiums paid, and also filed petition for writ of mandamus ordering the dismissal of the underlying case.
The Supreme Court denied Judge’s motion to dismiss, denied city’s motion to intervene, and granted an alternative writ, and subsequently granted city’s second motion to intervene.
The Supreme Court held that city’s claims for injunctive and declaratory relief were subject to exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Claims.
City’s claim against Bureau of Workers’ Compensation seeking injunction prohibiting Bureau from refusing to furnish refunds of excessive workers’ compensation premiums sounded in law, and therefore, Court of Claims had exclusive jurisdiction over case, notwithstanding city’s additional claim for declaratory relief, because objective of city’s request for injunctive and declaratory relief was to obtain money damages, for loss resulting from Bureau’s alleged breach of legal duty, by compelling Bureau to issue refunds.