The Missouri House is moving forward with a measure to limit the amount of noneconomic damages that can be awarded to victims of medical malpractice.
The House gave initial approval yesterday to a bill to reinstate limits on how much juries can award in some types of damages such as pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases against health care providers. The bill caps noneconomic damages, which does not include lost wages or medical bills, at $350,000.
The state previously had caps that were overturned by the state Supreme Court in 2012. Supporters say the caps are needed to make sure doctors do not leave the state because of increasing insurance costs. Opponents say limits harm individuals who are already hurt by negligent doctors or hospitals.
