HR 2813 · 108th Congress · Law

Small Business Liability Reform Act of 2003

Introduced 2003-07-22· Sponsored by Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]· House

Bill Progress

Introduced
2
Committee
3
House Vote
4
Senate
5
Enacted
Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.(2003-08-08)

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Small Business Liability Reform Act of 2003 - Allows punitive damages to be awarded against a small business only if the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that conduct carried out by the defendant with a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others was the proximate cause of the harm that is the subject of the action. Limits such punitive damages to the lesser of three times the amount awarded for economic and noneconomic losses, or $250,000. Makes such limitation inapplicable if the court finds that the defendant acted with specific intent to cause the type of harm for which the action is brought. Provides liability limitation exceptions. States that in any civil action against a small business: (1) each defendant shall be liable only for the amount of noneconomic loss allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility of that defendant for the harm caused to the plaintiff; and (2) the court shall render a separate judgment against each defendant describing such percentage of responsibility. Excepts from such liability limitations specified misconduct of a defendant. Mandates that, in any product liability…

Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only

Cosponsors (10)

1 Democrat9 Republicans