House passes measure capping non-economic damages in medical lawsuits
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House passes measure capping non-economic damages in medical lawsuits

Date: March 28, 2013
By: Wes Duplantier
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB112

Intro: 
Bad things can happen in doctor's offices and operating rooms. And some lawmakers in Missouri's Capitol say they want to limit how much a person can win in court if they do.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The state House has passed a measure that would cap non-economic damages in medical lawsuits--money given for things like pain and suffering and emotional distress.

Lawmakers have tried to cap such damages before. But Missouri's Supreme Court threw out those caps as unconstitutional.

Democrats, like Jefferson County Representative Jeff Roorda, oppose the measure, saying that damage caps interfere with a person's right to have decisions from a jury.  

Actuality:  MALROR1.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "Here's what I say, gentleman: Don't tread on me. Don't tread on the right of Missouri citizens to a jury trial."

The measure now heads to the state Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol. I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.

Intro: 
Bad things can happen in doctor's offices and operating rooms. And some lawmakers in Missouri's Capitol say they want to limit how much a person can win in court if they do.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The state House has passed a measure that would cap non-economic damages in medical lawsuits.

Lawmakers have tried to cap such damages before. But Missouri's Supreme Court threw out those caps as unconstitutional. Democratic lawmakers oppose such caps, saying they interfere with the right to a jury trial

But Republicans, like Joplin Representative Bill White, say that things like lost salary would excluded from the caps.  

Actuality:  MALWHITE.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "That deals with things like pain and suffering and enjoyment of life. This is not going to put people on welfare. This is not going to leave them owing lots and lots of medical bills."

The damage caps measure now heads to the state Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol. I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.