Health care providers, insurers, and others have suggested imposing more rigorous damages caps, as well as limits on the fees that a plaintiff’s attorney can receive. Other reform proposals include initiatives to shorten the statute of limitations so that a patient cannot bring a lawsuit if a long time has passed since the malpractice. A more controversial proposal involves transferring these cases to a distinctive type of court, in which judges would be trained in the medical field. This potentially would eliminate a plaintiff’s right to a jury trial, so it seems unlikely to become a reality.
