Government
S.D. lawmakers opt against lowering medical malpractice award cap
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 16, 2004
The South Dakota House judiciary committee in January voted unanimously to kill a bill that proposed lowering the state's cap on noneconomic damages to $250,000 from the current $500,000. The measure also would have limited lawyers' fees in medical malpractice cases. The American Medical Association lists South Dakota as one of 25 states facing medical liability problems. Another 19 states are experiencing medical liability crises marked by high insurance rates that have forced physicians to leave their states, retire early or reduce services, according to the AMA.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/02/16/gvbf0216.htm.












