Malpractice awards

If a bill under consideration by the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee were to become law, jury awards for non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits could not exceed $250,000.

The committee heard testimony on HF1681, sponsored by Rep. Fran Bradley (R-Rochester), which is intended to lower the cost of health care and health insurance. The bill would provide for changes in laws that relate to insurance, tort reform, and taxes.

In addition to imposing limits on medical malpractice damages, the bill would limit attorney fees paid in medical malpractice suits, and grant permission to the Board of Medical Practice to approve “best practice” guidelines, adherence to which would be an “absolute defense” in the case of an allegation of medical malpractice.

The committee is scheduled to continue discussing the bill Feb. 9.