Report: Illinois Supreme Court delays announcement on caps
12/17/2009 8:19 AM By Ann Knef
The Illinois Supreme Court is delaying its announcement on the constitutionality of a state law that limits medical malpractice damages, according to a report in Crain's.
A ruling was expected to be released after 9 a.m. today. The decision will either uphold or overturn the Illinois Medical Malpractice Act of 2005 -- a law that caps non-economic damages to $500,000 for doctors and $1 million for hospitals.
The Illinois Medical Malpractice Act of 2005 does not limit actual damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. It limits non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
The Supreme Court decision is based on a case arising from Cook County, LeBron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, involving the severe disability of a young girl, Abigaile Lebron. In 2007, Cook County Circuit Judge Joan Larsen ruled in Lebron that caps are unconstitutional.
Crain's reports that the Court will not release the opinion today.
