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S 1979 102th Congress Senate

Lawsuit Reform Act of 1991

Official title: A bill to provide greater certainty in the availability and cost of liability insurance, to eliminate the abuses of the tort system, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 15, 1991 Introduced by: McConnell, Mitch Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
Law Civil actions and liabilityCivil procedureCommercial arbitrationConstitutional torts
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DamagesFederal preemptionLegal feesMediationStandardsTortsWorkers' compensation
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This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 22, 1992
Referred to Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice.
Nov 15, 1991
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Nov 15, 1991
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 22, 1992

Referred to Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Lawsuit Reform Act of 1991 - Sets forth uniform national standards regarding liability in tort actions. Preempts and supersedes inconsistent Federal and State laws. Provides for an award of costs and attorney's fees to the prevailing party, with an exception and certain limitations.

Provides that all claims which are subject to the provisions of this Act shall be governed by the principles of comparative responsibility, unless persons acting in concert caused the injury or damage.

Declares that it shall be a complete defense to any civil action under this Act if: (1) the claimant was intoxicated or under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any drug; and (2) as a result of such intoxication or influence, the claimant was more than 50 percent responsible for causing the accident which resulted in his harm.

Requires the attorneys to advise each party of the existence and availability of alternative dispute resolution options and to file notice with the court certifying that the clients were so advised.

Requires that damage awards be reduced by any amount received as workers' compensation benefits where the employer or the insurance carrier does not have a lien against the claimant's recovery in a separate action.

Prohibits a non-natural person from bringing a civil action for deprivation of rights, except that an entity whose primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights may bring such action to protect any such right.

Limits the awarding of damages against a local government.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1979: Lawsuit Reform Act of 1991. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-1979/
MLA
"S. 1979: Lawsuit Reform Act of 1991." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-1979/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1979, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-1979/.
Markdown link
[S. 1979: Lawsuit Reform Act of 1991](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-S-1979/)
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