Illinois Passes Malpractice Reform Legislation

On August 25, 2005, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed newmedical malpractice legislation (SB 475) limiting recovery of non-economic damages to $500,000 from physicians and $1,000,000 for hospital judgments. In an effort to reduce frivolous lawsuits, the bill also requires that an independent doctor must certify that the action has merit before a case can be brought against a physician or hospital.