CONNECTICUT REFORMS

Collateral Source Rule Reform: HB 6134 (1986): Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52‑225a.  Permits the admissibility of evidence of collateral source payments.  Provides for awards to be offset by the amount paid by collateral sources less any amount paid by the claimant to secure the benefit.

Frivolous Lawsuit Sanction: HB 6134 (1986).  Allows a court to assess twice the amount of court costs and attorneys’ fees if a party brings a frivolous lawsuit.

Government Retention of Personal Injury Lawyers – HB 7502, section 104. (2005); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-28b.

Requires proposals or requests for qualification and negotiation procedures for any contract between the Attorney General or state agency and private attorneys in which the contingency fee is reasonably expected to exceed $250,000.     Specifies that the Attorney General is to develop such procedures and qualifications.

Joint and Several Liability Reform: HB 6134 (1986): Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-572h.  Bars application of the rule of joint and several liability in the recovery of all damages, except where the liable party’s share of the judgment is uncollectible.  (The 1987 legislation limited application of this reform to noneconomic damages.)

Medical Liability Reform: Contingent Fee Reform: Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52‑251c.  Limits contingent fees in medical liability cases to 33.3 % of the first $300,000 recovered, 25% of the next $300,000, 20% of the next $300,000, 15% of the next $300,000, and 10% of any amount exceeding $1.2 million.

Periodic Payment of Future Damages: HB 6134 (1986): Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52‑225d.  Mandates the periodic payment of future economic damages exceeding $200,000.

Punitive Damages Reform: Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-240b.  Limits punitive damages in product liability actions to two times the award of compensatory damages. 

Small Claims Court Reform: SB 514 (2000); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-15.  Increases the maximum amount of damages that may be claimed in small claims court from $2,500 to $3,500.