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SF 2

A bill for an act relating to the statute of repose in medical malpractice claims.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Lofgren

Bill SF 2 extends the time for filing medical malpractice claims beyond six years if the injury was concealed, enhancing protections for victims of medical negligence.

Subcommittee: Schultz, Bousselot, and Petersen.
#claims #medicalcare #medicalmalpractice #statuteoflimitations #statuteofrepose #tortlaw #wrongfuldeath
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Bill Summary · SF 2

Summary of Bill SF 2: Statute of Repose in Medical Malpractice Claims

Bill Number: SF 2
Introduced On: January 13, 2025
Current Status: Subcommittee: Schultz, Bousselot, and Petersen
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Claims, Medical Care, Medical Malpractice, Statute of Limitations, Statute of Repose, Tort Law, Wrongful Death

Purpose and Intent

Bill SF 2 aims to amend the existing statute of repose concerning medical malpractice claims. The primary intent is to provide additional protections for claimants by extending the time frame in which they can file lawsuits related to medical injuries or wrongful deaths that may have been concealed by healthcare providers.

Key Provisions

  1. Current Statute of Repose:

    • Under current law, medical malpractice claims must be filed within six years from the date of the act or omission that caused the injury or death.
    • An existing exemption allows claims where a foreign object was unintentionally left in a patient’s body.

  2. New Exception:

    • The bill introduces a second exception to the six-year statute of repose. If the cause of the injury or death was concealed by a healthcare provider (including physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical professionals), the six-year limit would not apply.
    • This means that claimants could potentially file lawsuits beyond the six-year period if they can demonstrate that the injury or death was concealed from them.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:
    • Claimants: Individuals who have suffered injuries or wrongful deaths due to medical malpractice may benefit from the extended time frame to file claims, particularly in cases where the cause of the injury was not disclosed.
    • Healthcare Providers: Physicians, surgeons, and other medical professionals may face increased liability as the bill allows for claims to be filed beyond the current six-year limit if concealment is proven.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 13, 2025.
  • It is currently under consideration by a subcommittee consisting of members Schultz, Bousselot, and Petersen as of January 14, 2025.

Conclusion

Bill SF 2 seeks to enhance the rights of individuals pursuing medical malpractice claims by addressing the limitations imposed by the current statute of repose. By allowing for claims to be filed beyond the six-year limit in cases of concealment, the bill aims to ensure that victims of medical negligence have a fair opportunity to seek justice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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