The Nation - News from April 8, 1986

The Maryland General Assembly, acting to curb skyrocketing liability-insurance rates, adopted a $350,000 cap on “pain and suffering” awards for personal-injury cases in the state. The legislation, which applies to lawsuits filed after July 1, goes to Gov. Harry Hughes for his signature. With such a law, Maryland would become the second state to limit awards for non-economic damages in all types of personal injury cases--not just medical malpractice suits. The state of Washington enacted a similar law Friday.