MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CHANGES

SB 449 changes venue rules for medical malpractice lawsuits, requiring cases to be filed only in the county where the patient received treatment. It limits recoveries from the Patient's Compensation Fund, requires payments from the fund as expenses occur, and directs 75% of punitive damages to the state. The bill also caps attorney fees in malpractice claims and creates a new Patient Safety Improvement Fund. These changes directly affect patients, healthcare providers, insurers, and the state's medical malpractice compensation system.