Wis. Governor Vetoes Malpractice Suit Bill

Wis. Governor Vetoes Malpractice Suit Bill

Saturday December 3, 2005 6:46 AM

By TODD RICHMOND

Associated Press Writer

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed legislation that would have capped the amount of money medical malpractice victims could win in court for their pain and suffering, an issue that has been a political flash point in states across the country.

Republican lawmakers drafted the measure to limit non-economic damages to $450,000 for adults and $550,000 for minors after the state Supreme Court struck down Wisconsin's previous cap as unconstitutional.

The court said then that there was no rational basis for the limit, and Doyle, a Democrat, said in announcing his veto Friday that the court likely would strike down the proposed caps for the same reason.