United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 321 (108th)
Common Sense Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2003
Introduced
8 January 2003
Last action
—
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Sponsors
—
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
18 August 2025
Summary
Common Sense Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 2003 - Establishes an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedure for all health care liability actions, except an action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death to the extent that title XXI of the Public Health Service Act applies. (Sec. 3) Establishes a statute of limitations for health care liability actions of one year from the date on which the alleged injury was discovered or should reasonably have been discovered, but in no case more than three years after the date the alleged injury occurred. (Sec. 4) Makes a defendant in any health care liability action liable only for the amount of noneconomic damages attributable to such defendant. Limits total noneconomic damages for an injury to $250,000. Outlines requirements for, and limitations on, the award of punitive damages. Permits periodic payments of any damages awarded for future economic and noneconomic loss exceeding $50,000. Permits defendants to introduce evidence of collateral source payments. (Sec. 5) Specifies limits to contingent fees. (Sec. 6) Declares that any ADR used to resolve a health care liability action or claim shall contain provisions for a statute of limitations, noneconomic damages, joint and several liability, punitive damages, a collateral source rule, periodic payments, and limitations on contingent fees which are identical to the provisions of this Act.
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Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 8 January 2003
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 8 January 2003
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 8 January 2003
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Sources
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- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/321
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/108/hr/321