Health Law and Ethics

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 16 PERIODIC PAYMENT OF JUDGMENTS — LIMITATION ON CERTAIN TORT DAMAGES AND

LIABILITIES 6-1603. LIMITATION ON NONECONOMIC DAMAGES. (1) In no action seeking

damages for personal injury, including death, shall a judgment for noneconomic damages be entered for a claimant exceeding the maximum amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); provided, however, that beginning on July 1, 2004, and each July 1 thereafter, the cap on noneconomic damages established in this section shall increase or decrease in accordance with the percentage amount of increase or decrease by which the Idaho industrial commission adjusts the average annual wage as computed pursuant to section 72-409(2), Idaho Code.

(2) The limitation contained in this section applies to the sum of: (a) noneconomic damages sustained by a claimant who incurred personal injury or who is asserting a wrongful death; (b) noneconomic damages sustained by a claimant, regardless of the number of persons responsible for the damages or the number of actions filed.

(3) If a case is tried to a jury, the jury shall not be informed of the limitation contained in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) The limitation of awards of noneconomic damages shall not apply to: (a) Causes of action arising out of willful or reckless misconduct. (b) Causes of action arising out of an act or acts which the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt would constitute a felony under state or federal law. History:

[6-1603, added 1987, ch. 278, sec. 1, p. 575; am. 2003, ch. 122, sec. 2, p. 371.]

Reckless conduct is a type of legal theory that many types of personal injury lawsuits are based on. Basically, reckless  conduct is any type of conduct wherein the defendant knew or should have known that their actions would cause harm to  another person.    Willful Negligence. Intentional performance of an unreasonable act in disregard of a known risk, making it highly probable  that harm will be caused. Willful negligence usually involves a conscious indifference to the consequences.