SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Plaintiffs in medical malpractice and wrongful death cases say limits should not be placed on jury awards as Illinois lawmakers started debating whether to make changes to the state’s tort reform law.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan called a meeting Tuesday afternoon of the Illinois House to hear testimony on tort cases as part of an effort to poke holes in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s priorities.
The Republican governor has made tort reform a component of his pro-business agenda. He says it’s a way to save employers money.
Experts told lawmakers at Tuesday’s hearing about 4,000 deaths in Illinois come from medical mistakes. Less than 300 of those deaths annually will lead to a malpractice lawsuit, the vast majority ending in settlements.