Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed new limits on money Iowans can recover in lawsuits involving crashes with commercial vehicles.
Reynolds and other supporters say the law will protect the trucking industry from rising insurance costs driven by the threat of large jury verdicts. Reynolds signed Senate File 228 Friday but released no statement.
House and Senate Republicans debated several versions of the legislation before settling on a $5 million cap on damages for pain and suffering.
Opponents argued the cap places an arbitrary value on human life and limits Iowans' right to a jury trial.
Earlier this year, Reynolds also signed a law placing caps on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits.
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Iowans who sue after being struck by a truck or commercial vehicle will be limited to receiving $5 million per plaintiff for pain and suffering — known as noneconomic damages — in most cases.
The law does not limit economic damages, such as compensation for lost wages or medical expenses.
The law also allows plaintiffs to recover 100% of punitive damages in trucking lawsuits, if any are awarded. Punitive damages are awarded as punishment for serious misconduct by a defendant and are viewed as a deterrent against future misconduct.
The legislation contains a number of exceptions. The limit does not apply in several situations,...
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