On March 24, the governor signed HB 837. This law changes many aspects of the civil litigation system as it relates to personal injury and insurance claims.

Among other modifications, the new law shortens the statute of limitations from four years to two years in the majority of negligence cases. It also requires that a plaintiff prove that he or she was less than 50% at fault for the injuries sustained, mandates that the criminal be placed on the verdict form in a civil trial in which negligent security is alleged, and restructures the manner in which medical expenses are to be presented at trial. Interestingly, the law provides an insurance company with immunity from a bad faith action in a multiple claimant case under certain conditions.