New Jersey Sen. Nicholas J. Sacco, D-Bergen/Hudson, proposed legislation that would establish a cap on compensatory damages at a maximum of $500,000 and limit contingency fees to a maximum of 33% for cases of medical malpractice.

“Existing case law provides that in any action against a health care provider based upon professional negligence, the injured plaintiff is entitled to recover noneconomic losses to compensate for pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, and other nonpecuniary damage,” read the statement accompanying the bill. “Currently, New Jersey does not have a limit or maximum amount permitted on recovery for noneconomic loss, referred to as compensatory damages.”