Bill > H1971

This bill addresses the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims by clarifying that such legal actions are independent of any personal injury claims previously brought by the deceased person. Specifically, the bill allows wrongful death claims to be filed regardless of whether the decedent had previously initiated a claim related to the injury that ultimately caused their death. The bill also stipulates that its provisions will be applied retroactively, meaning it will take effect starting from July 6, 2023. This change is significant because it potentially provides more flexibility for family members or estate representatives to pursue legal compensation in cases where a death results from an injury, even if the deceased did not file a personal injury claim before their death. The retroactive application suggests the bill is intended to address potential gaps or limitations in existing wrongful death litigation procedures.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1971