United States Senate denies cap in medical malpractice lawsuits

By Laura Vogltanz

Published on May 10, 2006

The proposed measure would have placed a $250,000 cap on most medical malpractice cases and a $750,000 limit for cases involving multiple medical facilities.

Doctors that support the cap say that high malpractice insurance premiums drive them out of business. Whereas opponents believe the caps are unfair and are hurtful to people who are seriously injured or killed by medical malpractice injuries.

The Senate's result is a defeat for President Bush who attempted to place the cap to further boost the insurance industry. Bush released a statement saying he was disappointed that the Senate failed to pass medical liability reform legislation. He believes the Senate needs to put the needs of the American people above the interests of trial lawyers.

This is the fifth time in five years that a medical malpractice cap has been attempted and denied by the Senate.

Comment on this article →