This bill amends section 32-42-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertains to liability limits for health care malpractice actions or claims. The key change is the increase in the cap on noneconomic damages awarded to claimants or their families from five hundred thousand dollars to one million dollars. This limit applies regardless of the number of health care providers or defendants involved in the case or the number of claims related to the injury. Additionally, the bill stipulates that juries will not be informed of this damages limitation during trials. If a jury awards damages that exceed the new cap, the court is required to reduce the award to comply with the established limit. This amendment aims to clarify the compensation framework for health care malpractice claims while ensuring that juries remain unaware of the statutory limits during their deliberations.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 32-42-02
Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee: 32-42-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 32-42-02