SC Legislature Approves Lawsuit Payout Limit Bill has limited effect on personal injury and auto accident cases

The bill allows the court to lift the cap if the defendant's conduct could bring a felony conviction or was motivated by unreasonable financial gain. In cases like that, punitive awards are limited to $2 million, or four times the actual damages that include things like lost wages and hospital bills, if that amount is larger. There would be no cap at all if the defendant intended to cause harm, was guilty of a felony tied to the incident, or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  The main cause of punitive damages in auto accident cases are individuals driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

This bill and the limits it sets are very similar to other states within the southeast, such as the state of Florida.

Initially the House approved a lower cap of $350,000 or triple actual damages and the inital bill also would allow juries to hear whether accident victims were wearing seat belts in auto accidents. Howver, the Senate dropped the seat belt provision and raised the caps after business groups and lawyers spent many hours working out a compromise.

The bill is expected to be approved by Gov. Nikki Haley as early as this week.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC auto accident attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.