Connecticut is moving closer toward providing minors who have been injured with additional time to file lawsuits.
The Senate voted 24-10 on May 14 in favor of legislation that would allow a minor injured due to malpractice or negligence to bring action until age 19 or within seven years after the injury occurred.
Minors now have until age 18 or within two years after an injury to file a lawsuit.
The proposal has been opposed by health care providers and the Connecticut State Medical Society, which waged a campaign urging lawmakers to reject it. They contend the bill will lead to more medical malpractice claims, making it more expensive and more difficult for physicians to practice here.
The bill now moves to the House. It's backed by the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, which argues that it often takes more than a few years to fully diagnose the extent of injuries suffered by minors in accidents.
Sen. Eric Coleman, co-chair of the legislature's Judiciary Committee, said nearly all states have a similar provision.
Read more:
http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202726636711/Legislators-OK-Bill-Extending-Statute-of-Limitations-for-Minors-to-File-Lawsuits#ixzz3aYgMvf38
