Limits on Noneconomic Damages
Establishes a limit on noneconomic damages of $350,000 for bodily injury claims and a $1 million limit for a permanent mental injury that prevents plaintiffs from being employed or enjoying a reasonable standard of living. The limits do not apply in cases of permanent and severe personal bodily injuries.
Expedited Actions
Specifies that the expedited process provided for in the bill shall apply to a suit in which all claimants affirmatively plead they seek only monetary relief aggregating $250,000 or less, excluding interest or other punitive damages. Directs the court to remove a suit from the expedited actions process on a motion and a showing of good cause by any party or upon the filing of a pleading or an amended or supplemental pleading that seeks any relief other than the monetary relief. Specifies that discovery shall not exceed 180 days for expedited processes and specifies that parties shall have up to 20 hours total to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Limits requests for interrogatories, productions, and admissions to 15 written requests respectively. Upon request, the court shall set the case for a trial date that is within 90 days after the discovery period ends. The court may only continue the case twice, not to exceed 60 days. Establishes a limit of 8 hours per side to complete jury selection, opening statements, presentation of evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. The limit may be extended by 12 hours with a motion and a showing of good cause by either party. The court can refer expedited cases to an alternative dispute resolution process once.
Expert Witnesses
Adopts the federal Daubert standard for expert witnesses.
