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SB 823

AN ACT LIMITING RECOVERY OF CLAIMS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ceci Maher

Connecticut bill restricting damages recoverable for behavioral health injury claims, limiting compensation available to mental health claimants in tort litigation.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Insurance and Real Estate
#behavioralhealthservices #healthinsurance
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Bill Summary · SB 823

Legislative bill overview

SB 823 would restrict or limit the recovery of damages in legal claims related to behavioral health conditions in Connecticut. The bill appears designed to modify existing tort law regarding mental health and psychiatric injury claims. The specific mechanisms of limitation are not detailed in the available information, but the title suggests constraints on compensation available to claimants.

Why is this important

Behavioral health claims can involve significant damages when individuals suffer psychiatric injuries from negligence, discrimination, or other actionable conduct. Limiting recovery could affect the ability of people with mental health conditions to obtain full compensation for their injuries, while potentially reducing litigation costs and insurance premiums. This creates a direct tension between protecting vulnerable populations and managing liability exposure.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness concerns: Restricting behavioral health damages may create a two-tiered system where mental health injuries receive less legal protection than physical injuries, despite comparable suffering and economic impact
  • Insurance and liability industry support: The bill likely benefits insurers and certain defendants by capping exposure, raising questions about whether protections for the mentally ill are being traded for industry interests
  • Access to justice: Damage caps or limitations may reduce incentives for attorneys to take behavioral health cases, effectively denying justice to those who cannot afford to litigate without contingency fee potential

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

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