The Louisiana House has approved bills that seek to reduce the big payouts car accident victims receive after filing a lawsuit. One of those measures is Baton Rouge Representative Emily Chenevert’s bill, which says if a driver is 51% or more at fault for a wreck, they are not entitled to damages. She says states with lower insurance rates have this law.
“You’re 49%, 40%, you would get your percentage of fault. If someone else hurts you, you would get that percentage of fault. But if the person that caused the accident, the plaintiff causes the accident, and there are 51% or more, you would not claim for damage,” Chenevert said.
Chenevert says the bill would reduce frivolous lawsuits and called it a common-sense change.
“This is about making sure, that we in Louisiana, have a fair climate. If somebody is at fault in an accident and causes their own injuries, then why is somebody else responsible to cover that?” Chenevert asked.
The bill passed on a 67-26 vote, and it has the support of insurance companies.
The House also approved a medical transparency bill. House Bill 34 by Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso would make medical costs admissible in court, so the judge and jury know exactly how much a person injured in a wreck paid in medical costs.
“This allows it to be presented, so that our judges will have it in evidence, and they can consider it. Because if it’s not in evidence, they can’t consider it,” Glorioso said.
Both of these bills head to a Senate committee for further consideration.
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