This bill amends Section 768.74 of the Florida Statutes, which pertains to the review of money damage awards in civil litigation. The revisions include changes to the language used in the statute, such as replacing "wherein" with "in which" and "shall" with "must," as well as the addition of new criteria for courts to consider when determining if an award is excessive or inadequate. Notably, the bill introduces new factors (f, g) that require courts to assess the rational connection between injuries suffered and the amount of noneconomic damages awarded, ensuring that awards are grounded in the evidence presented.

Additionally, the bill reenacts several sections related to punitive damages to incorporate the amendments made to Section 768.74. These sections clarify that courts retain the authority to evaluate the reasonableness of punitive damage awards in relation to compensatory damages. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to causes of action pending on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
S 1506 Filed: 768.74