Civil Actions - Noneconomic Damages - Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

HB 113 would repeal Maryland's current dollar limits on noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Specifically, it removes the $350,000 cap for personal injury cases (effective since 1986) and the $500,000 cap for newer cases (with annual $15,000 increases), allowing juries to award higher amounts for non-monetary harms like pain, suffering, or loss of companionship. This change directly affects plaintiffs in these cases and defendants (such as insurance companies) who previously benefited from the caps. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to cases arising after that date.