By AP
Jefferson City, MO. – The Missouri House has given initial approval to legislation limiting jury verdicts in lawsuits for medical malpractice and other injuries.
Republicans turned back several attempts by Democrats to soften the bill, then endorsed it on a largely partisan voice vote.
The bill needs one more House vote to go to the Senate.
The measure would lower the cap on money awarded for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases. And it would impose a cap on punitive damages in all types of injury lawsuits.
The bill also would place new restrictions on where injury lawsuits can be filed.
And it would protect wealthy defendants against having to pay damages assessed against poorer co-defendants.