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Bill

SB 904

Medical malpractice; limitation on recovery; certain actions.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Stanley

SB 904 would have capped medical malpractice recovery amounts to shield healthcare providers from large judgments, but was defeated in committee.

Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 904

Legislative bill overview

SB 904 would modify Virginia's medical malpractice liability laws by imposing new limitations on recovery amounts in malpractice cases. The bill was introduced by Senator Bill Stanley and passed out of the Courts of Justice Committee but was ultimately killed in the Finance and Appropriations Committee on January 28, 2025.

Why is this important

Medical malpractice liability rules directly affect healthcare costs, patient compensation options, and the availability of medical services in Virginia. Changes to recovery limitations influence both how much injured patients can receive and insurance premiums that healthcare providers must pay, which can affect healthcare accessibility and affordability across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Patient compensation vs. provider protection: Limiting recovery amounts may reduce financial incentives for bringing malpractice suits, potentially leaving injured patients with inadequate compensation while protecting providers from large judgments
  • Insurance and healthcare costs: Supporters argue caps reduce malpractice insurance premiums and medical costs; opponents contend caps don't meaningfully lower healthcare costs while shifting losses onto injured patients
  • Severity of injuries: Fixed or capped recovery limits may inadequately compensate patients with catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime care, creating disparities based on damage amounts rather than actual harm suffered

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

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