Colorado Senate Backs Raising Medical Malpractice Cap

The Colorado Senate has given final approval to a bill that would increase the amount juries can award in some medical malpractice suits.

Senate Bill 164 applies to cases where someone has been disfigured or impaired. It would allow them to sue for up to $1 million in damages, or more if the judge allows.

The Senate approved the bill 18-16 on Monday in a largely party line vote. Senator Bob Hagedorn of Aurora was the only Democrat to vote with Republicans against the bill.

Democratic backers say it will apply only to a handful of cases involving people who have been severely injured by bad medical care.

Republicans say most medical malpractice plaintiffs will make some kind of disfigurement claim because it could bring them more money.