MICRA is an acronym for California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975. It was intended to lower medical malpractice liability insurance premiums for healthcare providers by decreasing their potential tort liability. What that means for victims of medical malpractice is that their non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 regardless of how egregious the injuries are. Non-economic damages include claims for pain and suffering, loss of consortium (love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance,
protection, affection, society, moral support, and if relevant, loss of sexual relations). $250,000 in today’s dollars has the buying power of approximately $50,500.