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S 2046 99th Congress Senate Law Accounting Architects Civil actions and liability Civil procedure Consumer protection Courts and Civil Procedure Damages Engineers Lawyers and legal services Legal ethics Legal fees Malpractice Medical personnel Negligence Products liability Torts Warranties

Litigation Abuse Reform Act of 1986

Introduced: February 5, 1986 Introduced by: McConnell, Mitch Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 26, 1986
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.
Feb 21, 1986
Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.
Feb 7, 1986
Committee on Judiciary requested executive comment from Department of Justice and Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
Feb 5, 1986
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Feb 5, 1986
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Litigation Abuse Reform Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to provide certain limitations and procedures regarding civil damages in actions alleging negligence, strict or product liability, intentionally tortious conduct, or malpractice by a physician, accountant, lawyer, architect, engineer, or other professional.

Requires that future damage awards exceeding $100,000 be made by periodic payments. Requires that damage awards be offset by an amount received as compensation for the same injury from other sources. Limits the amount of damages for noneconomic losses to $100,000. Establishes a contingency fee schedule for plaintiffs' attorneys.

Permits the awarding of punitive damages only where the conduct of the defendant manifests a conscious disregard for safety. Provides that punitive damages awarded in any civil action to which this Act applies shall be paid to the clerk of the court and transmitted to the Treasurer of the United States, for the use of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and the Federal Judicial Center.

Makes any attorney whose conduct is calculated for delay, or is found to be in bad faith, subject to pecuniary sanctions by the court.

What's happening now March 26, 1986

Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1