The United States House of Representatives introduced and passed a bill which limits a claimant’s right to recover non-economic damages to $250,000.00. Non-economic damages can be described as the way in which claimants are compensated for the loss of the ability to live as they would have prior to being injured and what we think of as “pain and suffering”. For example, if an individual enjoys spending time with grandchildren, and injuries from an accident prevent that or make it impossible, he/she can be compensated for that loss with non-economic damages. If a person suffers from daily pain from a herniated disk, these are the types of damages they can receive.
How Much Is Pain Worth?
The question becomes how much is pain, and spending time with your grandchildren, or other non-economic losses worth? The United States House of Representatives says that it cannot be worth more than $250,000.00. This means that no matter what kind of injury a claimant suffers, and no matter what daily activities they no longer enjoy, claimants can never be compensated more that the cap. It is very difficult to put a price on the ways in which people enjoy life, but the House of Representatives believes they can and are going to do so. Make your opinion known to your Senate representative. For more information regarding the House’s latest bill, see the article below.
Michael J. Myers, Esq.
Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen LPA, Co.