H.B. 118 Enrolled

             1     

PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGES AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Kay L. McIff

             5     
Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions related to a cause of action for personal injury damages.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    provides for a limit of $100,000 in general damages collected in personal injury
             13      cases related to a wrongful act or negligence;
             14          .    requires notice be mailed to or served upon a person or party believed to be at fault
             15      for personal injury; and
             16          .    exempts an uninsured motorist from general damage awards over $100,000 under
             17      certain circumstances.
             18      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24           78B-3-107 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 293
             25     
             26      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             27          Section 1. Section 78B-3-107 is amended to read:
             28           78B-3-107. Survival of action for injury or death to person, upon death of
             29      wrongdoer or injured person -- Exception and restriction to out-of-pocket expenses.


             30          (1) (a) A cause of action arising out of personal injury to a person, or death caused by
             31      the wrongful act or negligence of [another] a wrongdoer, does not abate upon the death of the
             32      wrongdoer or the injured person. The injured person, or the personal representatives or heirs of
             33      the person who died, has a cause of action against the wrongdoer or the personal
             34      representatives of the wrongdoer for special and general damages, subject to Subsection (1)(b).
             35          (b) If, prior to judgment or settlement, the injured person dies as a result of a cause
             36      other than the injury received as a result of the wrongful act or negligence of the wrongdoer,
             37      the personal representatives or heirs of the person have a cause of action against the wrongdoer
             38      or personal representatives of the wrongdoer for special [damages,] and general damages [not
             39      to exceed $100,000,] which resulted from the injury caused by the wrongdoer and which
             40      occurred prior to death of the injured party from the unrelated cause. General damages may not
             41      exceed $100,000.
             42          (c) If the death of the injured party from an unrelated cause occurs more than six
             43      months after the incident giving rise to the claim for damages, the claim shall be limited to
             44      special damages unless, prior to the [expiration of the six months,] injured party's death:
             45          (i) written notice of intent to hold the wrongdoer responsible has been [given or]
             46      mailed to or served upon the wrongdoer or the wrongdoer's insurance carrier or the uninsured
             47      motorist carrier of the injured party, and proof of mailing or service can be produced upon
             48      request; or
             49          (ii) a claim for damages against the wrongdoer or against the uninsured motorist carrier
             50      of the injured party is the subject of ongoing negotiations between the parties or persons
             51      representing the parties or their insurers.
             52          (d) A subsequent claim against an underinsured motorist carrier for which the injured
             53      party was a covered person is not subject to the notice requirement described in Subsection
             54      (1)(c).
             55          (e) In no event shall the general damage award exceed $100,000 regardless of available
             56      liability, uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle coverage.
             57          (2) Under Subsection (1) neither the injured person nor the personal representatives or


             58      heirs of the person who dies may recover judgment except upon competent satisfactory
             59      evidence other than the testimony of the injured person.
             60          (3) This section may not be construed to be retroactive.


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