Tennessee Set to Require Review of Medical Lawsuits

The Tennessee Senate unanimously agreed with changes made earlier in the House to a bill supporters say will limit frivolous medical malpractice suits. 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 has not said if he will sign the measure into law.