Utah State Senate Passes Bill Setting Medical Liability Limits

The Utah State Senate recently passed S.B. 145 by a 24-1 preliminary vote. Sponsored by Sen. Stuart Adams (R-Layton), the bill would limit malpractice awards in the state for pain and suffering to $450,000.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Sen. John Valentine (R-Orem) said a “stand-down” agreement had been struck with this legislation that would allow a four-year moratorium on any further tort reform. The agreement helped win grudging acceptance from the Utah Association for Justice, along with backing from the Utah Medical Association and Utah Hospitals and Health Systems Association.