Chapter 41A Actions for Professional Negligence

Definitions.

“Economic damages” defined.

“Noneconomic damages” defined.

“Professional negligence” defined.

“Provider of health care” defined.

Limitation on amount of award for noneconomic damages.

Several liability of defendants for damages; abrogation of joint and several liability.

Dismissal of action for failure to bring to trial; effect of dismissal; adoption of court rules to expedite resolution of actions.

Dismissal of action filed without affidavit of medical expert.

Settlement conference: Persons required to participate; powers and duties of judge; failure to participate.

Recommendation of settlement for amount of limits of policy of insurance: When authorized; insurer to pay for opinion of independent counsel upon request.

Limitation of actions; tolling of limitation.

Required evidence; exceptions; rebuttable presumption of negligence.

Consent of patient: When conclusively established.

Consent of patient: When implied.