This bill revises existing laws concerning venue determination in civil actions, specifically targeting medical malpractice cases. It stipulates that the venue for such lawsuits is confined to the county where the patient received the relevant medical treatment. The bill also introduces new definitions for "medical malpractice lawsuit" and provides a more comprehensive definition of "patient." Additionally, it modifies the filing requirements for malpractice claims, indicating that the initial complaint should not specify a dollar amount but rather request reasonable damages.

Moreover, the bill amends the Medical Malpractice Act by imposing limits on recovery amounts from the Patient's Compensation Fund and establishing a new Patient Safety Improvement Fund. It sets specific caps on recoveries based on the type of healthcare provider and the year of the injury, with independent providers capped at $750,000 and hospitals having higher limits that increase annually. The bill also caps health care providers' personal liability at $250,000 and outlines that judgments against hospitals exceeding $750,000 will be their responsibility until January 1, 2027. Additionally, it limits attorney fees in malpractice claims and ensures that the newly created Patient Safety Improvement Fund is dedicated to enhancing patient safety without reverting to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 38-3-1, 41-5-3, 41-5-4, 41-5-6, 41-5-7, 41-5-25