Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that caps compensation for non-economic damages in civil suits at $250,000, beginning November 1, 2011.

Highlights:

• Limits the amount of compensation which may be awarded for non-economic damages to $250,000 (Sec. 1).

• Defines "non-economic damages" as all subjective, non-monetary losses including, but not limited to, damages for pain and suffering, inconvenience, emotional distress, injury to reputation and humiliation (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a jury to award compensation in excess of the $250,000 limit, if the jury finds that the defendant acted intentionally or with malice, or was guilty of gross negligence (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that damages awarded to a plaintiff for an economic loss shall not be subject to any limitation (Sec. 1).

• Exempts wrongful death lawsuits from the provisions of this act (Sec. 1).

• This act is effective November 1, 2011 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text