MA H1346

Bill

Removing the liability cap for malpractice resulting in serious injury or death

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
06/30/2020

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to the liability cap for malpractice resulting in serious injury or death. The Judiciary.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to remove the liability cap for medical malpractice cases that result in serious injury or death. Specifically, the bill states that the $100,000 limit on damages for pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other general damages will not apply if the jury (or the court in a non-jury trial) determines that there is a substantial or permanent loss or impairment of a bodily function, substantial disfigurement, wrongful death, or other special circumstances that would deprive the plaintiff of just compensation for their injuries. This change would allow for higher awards in the most severe medical malpractice cases.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services, Justice

Sponsors (18)

Christine Barber (D), Mike Connolly (D), Marjorie Decker (D), Paul Donato (D), Sean Garballey (D), Carmine Gentile (D), Jim Hawkins (D), Jonathan Hecht (D), Pat Jehlen (D), Brad Jones (R), Kay Khan (D), Jay Livingstone (D), Becca Rausch (D), Dave Rogers (D), Jeff Roy (D), Danny Ryan (D), Theodore Speliotis (D), Steve Ultrino (D),

Last Action

Reported favorably by committee and referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (on 06/30/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1346

(7 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1346
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1346.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1085	Relative to the collaborative agreement of a public health dental hygienist	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
H1382	Protecting minor children from medical malpractice	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H1412	Relative to patient care access	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H3834	Revising public and non-profit liability caps	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
S1032	Relative to the tracking of medical malpractice cases	Accompanied a study order, see S2496	Similar To
S567	Relative to the collaborative agreement of a public health dental hygienist	Accompanied a study order, see S2543	Similar To
S956	Removing the liability cap for malpractice resulting in serious injury or death	Accompanied H1346	Similar To

Bill > H1346

MA H1346

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (18)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

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