Texas lawmakers are moving forward with bills that could limit lawsuits against trucking companies, aiming to control how much victims can recover after accidents.
What's happening: Senate Bill 30 and Senate Bill 39 have been proposed to change how medical expenses are calculated in personal injury cases involving trucking companies. These bills could reduce what victims can claim.
- Senate Bill 30, by State Sen. Charles Schwertner, would allow judges to lower jury awards over $1 million in wrongful death cases and $250,000 in personal injury suits.
- Senate Bill 39, introduced by State Sen. Brian Birdwell, would cap claims on past and future medical expenses and limit compensation for pain and suffering.
Critics' concerns: Opponents argue these measures could keep victims from getting fair settlements, especially in severe cases, like the crash on Interstate 35, reported KVUE.
Supporters' take: Texans for Lawsuit Reform suggests the bills aren't about stopping lawsuits but about preventing baseless ones. They claim people involved will still recover what they're entitled to.
Trucking companies welcome such changes, seeing them as a way to focus on fair legal actions rather than facing excessive claims. Critics, however, remain worried about the implications for victims seeking justice.