Connecticut House Bill HB06646

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/15
• Refer: 1/28/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Evidence Of Collateral Source Payments In A Personal Injury Or Wrongful Death Action.

Impact

The proposed bill has significant implications for state laws regarding personal injury and wrongful death cases. Allowing evidence of health insurance payments could change how economic damages are calculated, potentially leading to reduced jury awards. Proponents argue that this amendment will promote fairness in the legal process by ensuring that juries take all relevant financial factors into account. This alteration would allow defendants to present a more comprehensive picture of a plaintiff's financial situation, possibly influencing jury decisions.

Summary

House Bill 6646 is an act aimed at modifying the evidence admissibility in personal injury and wrongful death actions. Specifically, it seeks to amend section 52-225a of the general statutes to allow parties involved in such cases to introduce evidence of collateral source payments during trial. This change is designed to enable parties to prove or dispute economic damages more effectively, which includes past and future medical costs. By permitting the introduction of such evidence, the bill stands to provide a clearer financial context for juries when assessing claims for damages.

Contention

Despite its intent to clarify damage calculations, HB 6646 may face opposition from various advocacy groups who argue that it could disadvantage plaintiffs who rely heavily on health insurance. Opponents may contend that introducing collateral source evidence could lead to unfair reductions in awards, undermining the purpose of personal injury and wrongful death claims. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the potential complexities in evaluating collateral sources, which could lead to extended litigation and further legal disputes over what constitutes admissible evidence.