Kansas Senate Passes Bill Raising Limits on Lawsuit Damages

Kansas Senate has approved a bill that increases the state’s limits on some damages in lawsuits but makes other changes in evidence rules.

The Senate’s 32-8 vote sends the measure to the House.

The bill is partly a response to a 2012 Kansas Supreme Court ruling in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The court upheld the state’s $250,000 limit on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in personal injury lawsuits.

But the court also suggested that the limit might not remain constitutional because of inflation. The bill would boost the cap to $300,000 in July and $350,000 in July 2022.

The increase is tied to changes in evidence rules sought by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. One change gives judges greater discretion to limit expert testimony.