Bill to Limit Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in Tenn. Heads to Governor

A bill that seeks to limit frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits is on its way to the governor’s office.

The Senate unanimously agreed with changes made earlier in the House. The bill would require plaintiffs to give 60 days notice before filing a lawsuit and require an independent medical expert to evaluate its merits.

The bill sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mark Norris, of Collierville, does not cap damages that could be awarded to victims of malpractice.

A bipartisan effort on the measure fell apart in the House last year over proposed changes on which medical experts can testify in malpractice trials. The current bill contains no changes on experts’ qualifications.

Gov. Phil Bredesen’s office could not immediately be reached on whether he plans to sign the bill into law.

HB1993/SB2001