In a surprising defeat for Republican legislators, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue (D- N.C.) vetoed Senate Bill 33, a medical malpractice reform bill that would have limited noneconomic damages at $500,000 regardless of the injury. Many opponents challenged the bill, including one prominent physician who appeared in many television ads and press releases.
The bill’s specific language limited damages for pain and suffering at $500,000 even for death, paralysis, brain damage and severe disfigurement. However, if the patient was able to prove reckless disregard, gross negligence or intentional malice, the damages could exceed the cap.
Perdue said he wanted to take a strong first step towards “meaningful medical malpractice reform.”
“I commend the legislature for addressing this important issue, but, in its current form, the bill is unbalanced. I urge legislators to modify the bill to protect those who are catastrophically injured when the general assembly returns in July,” Perdue said.
“Once the bill is revised to adequately protect those that are catastrophically injured, I will proudly sign it into law. I pledge to continue working with the general assembly to achieve a comprehensive bipartisan consensus,” Perdue stated. The bill is now listed to return to the Senate.
