Source: http://www.atra.org/issue/noneconomic-damages-reform/
Timestamp: 2017-03-28 13:54:38
Document Index: 33395943

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 29', '§ 61', '§ 32', '§ 90', '§ 25', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 85', '§ 17', '§11', '§ 6', '§ 663', '§ 766', '§ 333']

The broad and basically unguided discretion given juries in awarding damages for noneconomic loss is the single greatest contributor to the inequities and inefficiencies of the tort liability system. It is a difficult issue to address objectively because of the emotions involved in cases of serious injury and because of the financial interests of plaintiffs’ lawyers. ATRA's Position:
The personal injury bar’s argument against limiting noneconomic damages – that a jury’s award of noneconomic damages should not be reduced to an amount determined by legislators because a jury can determine on a case-by-case basis to what extent to compensate a plaintiff for harm suffered – fails to address the difference between noneconomic damages and economic damages, and fails to take into account the intangibility of noneconomic damages awards. A limit on noneconomic damages limits the amount a plaintiff can recover for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium or companionship, and other intangible injuries for which it is difficult to assign a dollar amount. Such a limit does not affect the amount a plaintiff can recover for economic damages, which include past and future medical bills, expected lost wages, and other tangible damages. Filter by: (reset)
Constitutional Amendment- Noneconomic Damages: H.J.R. 3 (Proposition 12- 2003)	Texas|2003	Provided that the Texas Legislature has the authority to place
Unchallenged	Medical Liability Reform- Noneconomic Damage Limits: A.B. 1073 (2006)	Wisconsin|2006	Limited noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $750,000.
Unchallenged	Noneconomic Damages: H.B. 34 (2015)	Utah|2015	Limits the amount of damages recoverable in personal injury actions
Unchallenged	Noneconomic Damages Limit: S.B. 239 (2015)	Missouri|2015	Replaces English common law causes of action for medical malpractice
Unchallenged	Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 2122 (2003)	West Virginia|2003	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases
Challenged and Struck Down	MacDonald v. City Hosp., Inc., 715 S.E.2d 405 (W. Va. 2011).
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: AB 36 (1995)	Wisconsin|1995	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical liability cases
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 4630 (1986).	Washington|1986	Limits the award of noneconomic damages for bodily injury to
Challenged and Struck Down	The Washington Supreme Court held the limit on noneconomic damages unconstitutional in Sofie v. Fibreboard Corp., 112 Wash. 2d 636, 771 P. 2d 1989.
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 4 (2003).	Texas|2003	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 2008 / SB 1522 (2011);Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-39-102.	Tennessee|2011	Limits noneconomic damages to $750,000 per occurrence in medical liability
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: S. 83 (2005).	South Carolina|2005	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $350,000 per
Noneconomic Damages Reform- H.B. 2128 (2011), 23 Okl. St. § 61.2:	Oklahoma|2011	Reduces the limit on the amount of noneconomic damages that
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 1603 (2009)	Oklahoma|2009	Provides that in any civil action arising from a claimed
Noneconomic Damages Reform: H.B. 2661 (2004).	Oklahoma|2004	Limits noneconomic damages to $300,000 in medical liability cases provided
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: H.B. 2661 (2004).	Oklahoma|2004	Extends the sunset provision on the limit on noneconomic damages
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: SB 629 (2003)	Oklahoma|2003	Limits the award of noneconomic damages to $350,000 in cases
Unchallenged	Noneconomic Damages Reform: AM Sub SB 80 (2004).	Ohio|2004	Limits noneconomic damages in cases involving noncatastrophic injuries to the
Challenged and Upheld	The limit on noneconomic damages was upheld in Arbino v. Johnson & Johnson et.al., 116 Ohio St. 3d 468, (2007).
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: SB 281 (2003); ORC Ann. 2323.43.	Ohio|2003	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical liability cases
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 350 (1996).	Ohio|1996	Limits the award of noneconomic damages to the greater of
Challenged and Struck Down	The comprehensive 1996 tort reform law violated the doctrine of separation of powers and the one-subject provision of the State Constitution. State ex rel. Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers v. Sheward, 715 N.E.2d 1062 (Ohio 1999).
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: AB 1 (2002).	Nevada|2002	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $350,000, except
Medical Liability Reform: Emergency Room Liability: AB 1 (2002).	Nevada|2002	Limits damages in medical liability cases against emergency room physicians
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 513 (1986).	New Hampshire|1986	Limits noneconomic damages to $875,000.
Challenged and Struck Down	The New Hampshire Supreme Court held this statute unconstitutional in Brannigan v. Usitalo, No. 90‑377, March 13, 1991.
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform:	New Hampshire	A New Hampshire law setting a $250,000 limit on noneconomic
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 1050 (1995): N.D. Cent. Code. § 32-42-02.	North Dakota|1995	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical liability cases
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 33 (2011);N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21.19.	North Carolina|2011	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $500,000 against
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 309 (1995): Mont. Code Ann. § 25‑9‑411.	Montana|1995	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: H.B. 13 (special session) (2004); Amended Miss. Code Ann. § 11-1-60.	Mississippi|2004	Establishes a hard cap of $500,000 on noneconomic damages in
Noneconomic Damages Reform: H.B. 13 (special session); Amended Miss. Code Ann. § 11-1-60.	Mississippi	Limits the recovery of noneconomic damages in all civil cases,
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: H.B.2 (special session) (2002); Amended Miss. Code Ann. § 85-5-7.	Mississippi|2002	Limits noneconomic damages to $500,000 until July 1, 2011, $750,000
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: H.B. 393 (2005).	Missouri|1995	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to a nonadjustable
Challenged and Struck Down	Held unconstitutional by Missouri Supreme Court in Watts ex rel. Watts v. Lester E. Cox Med. Ctrs., 376 S.W.3d 633 (Mo.2012).
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 2078 (1986).	Minnesota|1986	Limits the award of damages for loss of consortium, emotional
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: SB 270/H 2 (1993)	Michigan|1993	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in medical liability cases
Unchallenged	Noneconomic Damages Reform: Uninsured Drivers: HB 714 (2001); Amended Md. TRANSPORTATION Code Ann. § 17-107.	Maryland|2001	Provides that an individual driving a motor vehicle that is
Noneconomic Damages Reform: Wrongful Death: SB 283 (1994): Md. Cts. & Jud. Pro. §11-108.	Maryland|1994	Limits noneconomic damages in wrongful death actions to $500,000. In
Noneconomic Damages Reform: Public Entity Lawsuits: SB 237 (1987).	Maryland|1987	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in public entity lawsuits
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 558 (1986)	Maryland|1986	Limits the award of noneconomic damages to $500,000.
Challenged and Upheld	The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland upheld the constitutionality of the noneconomic damages limit in Potomac Electric Co. v. Smith, 79 Md. App. 591, 558 A.2d 768 1989. The $350,000 limit on noneconomic damages in personal injury actions did not violate the equal protection or right to jury trial provisions of the State Constitution. Murphy v. Edmonds, 601 A.2d 102 (Md. 1992).
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 475 (2005).	Illinois|2005	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $500,000 per
Challenged and Struck Down	Held unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court in LeBron v. Gottlieb Mem. Hosp., 930 N.E.2d 895 (Ill. 2010).
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 20 (1995).	Illinois|1995	Limits noneconomic damages to $500,000. The reform violates the State
Challenged and Struck Down	Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 574 (1990).	Idaho|1990	Removes the 1992 sunset to the $400,000 limit on non-economic
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 92 (2003)	Idaho|2003	Limits the award of noneconomic damages in personal injury cases
Unchallenged	Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 1223 (1987): Idaho Code Ann. § 6-1603.	Idaho|1987	Limits the award of noneconomic damages to $400,000. Provides a
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB S1 (special session) (1986): Sunset provision (SB 1529) enacted in 1991: Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 663-8.7, 663-10.9(2).	Hawaii|1986	Limits noneconomic damages for physical pain and suffering to $375,000.
Medical Liability Reform/Noneconomic Damages Reform: S.B. 3 (2005).	Georgia|2005	Limits noneconomic damages to $350,000 per healthcare provider, with an
Challenged and Struck Down	The Georgia Supreme Court found the limit on noneconomic damages unconstitutional in Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery, PC v. Nestlehutt, et. al, 286 Ga. 731, 691 S.E.2d 218. (2010).
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: CS SB 2-D (special session 2003).	Florida|2003	Provides for emergency room practitioner limits on noneconomic damages of
Challenged and Struck Down	The Florida Supreme Court held the limit on noneconomic damages unconstitutional in Estate of McCall v. United States, 134 So. 3d 894 (Fla. 2014).
Automobile Liability Reform: HB 775 (1999).	Florida|1999	Limits the liability of an owner or lessor of an
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages: CS/SB6 (1988): Fla. Stat. §§ 766.207, 766.209.	Florida|1988	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $250,000 in
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 465 (1986).	Florida|1986	Limits noneconomic damages to $450,000. The limit on noneconomic damages
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 03-1007 (2003).	Colorado|2003	Limits noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases to $300,000.
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 143 (1988)	Colorado|1988	Limits the total award of damages to $1,000,000, of which
Challenged and Upheld	The $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages in medical liability actions is constitutional. Scholz v. Metropolitan Pathologists, P.C., No. 92‑8A277, Co. Sup. Ct., April 26, 1993.
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 67 (1986).	Colorado|1986	Limits the award of noneconomic damages to $250,000, unless the
Medical Liability Reform: Noneconomic Damages Reform: The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA): (1975): Cal. Civ. Code § 333.2.	California|1975	Limits noneconomic damages in medical liability cases to $250,000. The
Noneconomic Damages Reform: (1987).	Alabama|1987	Limits the award of noneconomic damages to $400,000.
Challenged and Struck Down	The statute setting a $400,000 limit on noneconomic damages awards in health care liability actions violated the right to a jury trial and equal protection provisions of the State Constitution. Moore v. Mobile Infirmary Association, 592 So. 2d 156 (Ala. 1991).
Medical Liability Reform: Wrongful Death: (1987).	Alabama|1987	Limits damages in wrongful death actions to $1 million.
Medical Liability Reform/Noneconomic Damages Reform: S.B. 67 (2005).	Alaska|2005	Lowers the limit on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases
Noneconomic Damages Reform: HB 58 (1997)	Alaska|1997	Limits noneconomic damages awarded for most single injuries or deaths
Challenged and Upheld	The reform did not violate the right to a jury trial, the right to equal protection, or the right to substantive due process in the State or Federal Constitutions, the separation of powers doctrine, or the right of access to the courts or ban on “special legislation” in the State Constitution). Evans v. State, 2002 WL 1998141 (Alaska Aug. 30, 2002).
Noneconomic Damages Reform: SB 337 (1986).	Alaska|1986	Establishes a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages for cases not