Bill > HB1419

This bill establishes new limits on noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death claims in Texas, creating a complex framework for compensation. For personal injury claims, noneconomic damages for physical pain and suffering are capped at three times the amount of health care expenses, while damages for mental or emotional pain are limited to either $1 million for claims primarily causing emotional injury or $250,000 for claims primarily involving bodily injury. In wrongful death claims, noneconomic damages for mental or emotional pain are capped at $1 million per claimant. The bill introduces an annual adjustment mechanism where these fixed-amount limits will increase by 1.75% each January 1st starting in 2027. When calculating these limits, all parties potentially responsible under vicarious liability are treated as a single defendant. The bill requires a three-fifths majority vote in the Texas Legislature to take effect and will only apply to causes of action that accrue on or after its effective date, which could be immediately upon receiving a two-thirds legislative vote or September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met. These provisions aim to provide more predictable and structured compensation in personal injury and wrongful death legal proceedings.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1419