Hawaii Lawmakers Advance Cap on Medical Malpractice Awards

A bill to put caps on damages in medical malpractice cases is making its way through the Hawaii Legislature.

The measure approved by the House Judiciary Committee is supported by doctors. The committee had rejected similar measures in the past, and there’s been opposition to other efforts at malpractice reform in the Senate.

Supporters of the measure say it will help keep doctors from leaving the islands.

The bill would set up a task force to recommend the caps on non-economic damages, such as compensation for emotional distress and loss of companionship.

A separate commission would recommend reasonable rates for malpractice insurance carried by doctors who practice emergency medicine, neurological surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery and general surgery.

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Information from: The Honolulu Advertiser,
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com