Bill > HB597

This bill enacts the Speedy Tort Claims Act, which establishes a specialized division within Louisiana district courts to handle tort claims with a value of up to $50,000. The bill creates a streamlined legal process with specific provisions including: appointing magistrate judges with specific qualifications, limiting the types of cases that can be heard (excluding complex matters like property disputes or constitutional rights claims), reducing court filing costs by half, mandating trials be set within 60 days, prohibiting jury trials, and implementing an expedited appeals process. Magistrate judges in these divisions will have broad discretionary powers to manage cases, with simplified procedural rules that prioritize equity and simplicity over technical legal requirements. The appeals process is notably restrictive, allowing only appeals based on errors of law, requiring appeals to be heard by a three-judge panel within specific time frames, and explicitly preventing appeals to the state supreme court. Medical claims in these divisions must follow specific treatment guidelines and reimbursement schedules, and all expert testimony must be submitted via deposition. The overall goal appears to be creating a faster, more cost-effective mechanism for resolving smaller tort claims.

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https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=25rs&b=HB597&sbi=y