Bill > HB435

This bill establishes new limitations on general damages in Louisiana civil lawsuits by defining and capping the amount of non-economic damages that can be awarded. Specifically, the bill defines "general damages" as subjective, non-monetary compensation for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and other intangible harms, distinguishing these from "special damages" which are objectively verifiable monetary losses like medical expenses and lost income. The legislation places a strict cap of $5 million on general damages that can be awarded to any single plaintiff in a tort (civil wrong) lawsuit. Importantly, in jury trials, jurors will not be informed about this damage limitation, but judges are required to reduce any general damage awards that exceed the $5 million threshold. The bill is careful to note that it does not create new legal causes of action or determine which types of damages are generally recoverable, but rather focuses on establishing a clear monetary ceiling for non-economic damages. This type of legislation is often aimed at controlling litigation costs and preventing what some view as excessive damage awards.

Justice

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB435&sbi=y