State-by-State Medical Malpractice Damages Caps

Over half of U.S. states have passed some version of a law that limits the amount of money a medical malpractice plaintiff can receive after a successful lawsuit—meaning one in which the jury finds that a health care provider harmed a patient by committing medical negligence. In this article we'll:

• explain what "damages" are in the context of a medical malpractice case
• give you an overview of how damages caps often work when it comes to medical malpractice lawsuits, and
• provide links to state-by-state details on medical malpractice damages caps.

What Are "Damages" in Medical Malpractice Cases?

In the language of the law, "damages" refers to compensable harm suffered by one person, as a result of someone else's wrongdoing. In the context of a medical malpractice claim, an injured patient's damages often include:

• the cost of additional medical care necessary in the wake of the health care provider's medical error
• time missed at work, lost wages, and other income-related losses resulting from the malpractice and its effects, and
• the injured patient's mental and physical "pain and suffering" resulting from the malpractice and its impact on the patient's life.

Learn more about damages in medical malpractice cases.

What Are Damages Caps In Medical Malpractice Cases?

Most state laws limiting medical malpractice damages place a "cap" on non-economic damages only, which includes compensation for things like "pain and suffering" and the other non-financial, subjective effects of the health care provider's mistake (including loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in hobbies and pursue interests).

A few state legislatures have passed an umbrella cap on all forms of damages in medical malpractice cases, including compensation for the costs of long-term disability.

State-By-State Medical Malpractice Damages Caps

To learn more about medical malpractice damages caps where you live, look for your state in the list of links below. If you don't see your state on this list, that means it currently has no statutory cap on damages.

Getting Help With a Medical Malpractice Case

If you're thinking about bringing a medical malpractice claim against a doctor or other health care provider, understanding how your state's laws might limit your compensation is important, but it's just a small part of a complex picture.

There are some kinds of legal claims that you might capably handle on our own, but a medical malpractice lawsuit isn't one of them. Health care providers and their medical malpractice liability insurance companies tend to dig in and fight allegations of medical negligence, and having an experienced legal professional on your side is the only way to even the playing field.

A medical malpractice lawyer (along with their network of medical experts and consultants) will have the skills and the experience to build your best case and fight for a fair result.

Learn more about hiring a medical malpractice lawyer and how it might boost your chance of a successful case.