Abstract
I. Introduction
II. Background on the NHMLA [Nebraska Hospital Medical Liability Act] Damage Cap ... A. General Information on the Nature of Damages in Nebraska ... B. The History of NHMLA
III. Argument ... A. Interjurisdictional Precedent ... 1. Fifty-State Survey of Caps ... a. Interjurisdictional Legislative Caps ... i. Punitive Damage Caps ... ii. Medical Malpractice Caps ... b. Interjurisdictional Judicial Action on Caps … i. Right to a Jury ... ii. Open Courts ... iii. Equal Protection ... iv. Separation of Powers ... v. Special Legislation … 2. Interjurisdictional Summary ... B. Theories of Unconstitutionality ... 1. Nebraska Constitution ... a. Right to a Jury ... b. Open Courts ... c. Equal Protection ... d. Special Legislation ... e. Takings Clause ... f. Timing Arguments … 2. Economic Damages Distinction ... a. Economic Versus Noneconomic Damages Generally ... b. Nebraska’s Near-Precedent on Economic Damage Distinctions ... c. Severability of the NHMLA Cap ... d. Doctrine of Constitutional Avoidance ... e. Conclusion on Distinguishing Economic from Noneconomic Damages
IV. Recommendations ... A. Court Action ... 1. Conformity with Other States ... 2. Constitutional Reconsideration ... 3. Novel Approaches with the Courts ... B. Legislative Action ... 1. Pure Removal of the Cap ... 2. Increasing and Aligning Cap ... 3. Removal of Economic Damages Application ... 4. Adjustment for Inflation
V. Conclusion
Recommended Citation
Carey D. Collingham,
The Damages of Caps in Nebraska,
99 Neb. L. Rev. 209
(2020)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol99/iss1/7