North Carolina May Amend Medical Malpractice Laws

North Carolina could see some of its medical malpractice laws amended this month if a measure is passed in the state Senate.

However, state lawmakers made a few key amendments before it was approved for the final vote. A key change was for removing the cap on non-economic damages for death, brain damage, paralysis and other major, tangible injuries. Yet non-economic damages for intangible damages will remain capped at $500,000, including items such as emotional distress, pain and suffering.

According to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Johnathon Rhyne, R-Lincoln, non-economic damages "shouldn't be left unfettered to a jury [...] They're totally unpredictable, and you never know what you're going to get." Another important change pertained to emergency room doctors. While an initial amendment sought to make ER providers completely immune from lawsuits, the amendment was then changed again. Instead, an ER patient would be able to sue, but would have to provide even more evidence to show that medical malpractice had indeed happened at the facility.

If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, contact us to discuss your options with a Raleigh personal injury lawyer. 

Read Story:  http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/author/adaml/