State House passes lawsuit reform measure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House approved a measure Wednesday that is intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits and cut back on large damage awards.<br/><br/>Some lawmakers complained the bill would

Wednesday, March 15th 2006, 3:54 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House approved a measure Wednesday that is intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits and cut back on large damage awards.

Some lawmakers complained the bill would delay justice for Oklahomans with legitimate grievances.

The state House voted 58-to-41 to send the measure to the state Senate, which last week defeated a bill offered by Democrats that Republicans said offered little change in the current system of civil litigation.

The latest bill includes medical liability changes intended to cut medical malpractice insurance premiums, provisions to reduce attorneys fees in class-action cases and various protections for business owners.

It also imposes a $300,000 cap on non-economic damages in all but wrongful death cases.