Texas introduces Senate Bills 30 and 39, aiming to reform personal injury litigation involving trucking companies by capping damages and redefining liability.

In a move that could significantly impact the legal landscape for trucking companies in Texas, state lawmakers have introduced two bills aimed at modifying the rules governing personal injury lawsuits against these businesses.

Senate Bill 30: Proposed by State Senator Charles Schwertner, this bill seeks to adjust the criteria for determining the reasonableness and necessity of medical expenses in personal injury cases involving trucking companies. Key provisions include:​

• Limiting Claimable Amounts: The bill sets specific limits on the amounts that can be claimed for medical expenses.​

• Judicial Discretion on Verdicts: It grants judges the authority to reduce jury verdicts exceeding $1 million in wrongful death cases and those over $250,000 in personal injury cases.​

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Senate Bill 39: Introduced by State Senator Brian Birdwell, this legislation aims to further refine liability considerations for trucking companies by:

• Restricting Extended Claims: Limiting claims that extend beyond the immediate circumstances of the crash.​

• Capping Medical Expense Recoveries: Establishing caps on recoverable amounts for both past and future medical expenses.​

• Regulating Noneconomic Damages: Tightening rules surrounding noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, by setting predefined limits on awards.​

Advocacy group Texans for Lawsuit Reform has expressed support for these bills, stating that they do not intend to prevent individuals from pursuing legitimate lawsuits or recovering appropriate damages from drivers and companies. Instead, the focus is on curbing unreasonable lawsuits that may burden the legal system and businesses.​

These legislative efforts reflect a broader trend in Texas to balance the rights of individuals to seek compensation with the need to protect businesses from potentially frivolous litigation. As these bills progress through the legislative process, they are expected to spark considerable debate among stakeholders, including legal professionals, industry representatives, and consumer rights advocates.

Written By Michael Thomas