99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB2382

 

Introduced 2/3/2016, by Sen. Jason A. Barickman

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
55 ILCS 5/4-11001  from Ch. 34, par. 4-11001
735 ILCS 5/2-622  from Ch. 110, par. 2-622
735 ILCS 5/2-1105  from Ch. 110, par. 2-1105
735 ILCS 5/2-1205  from Ch. 110, par. 2-1205
735 ILCS 5/2-1205.1  from Ch. 110, par. 2-1205.1
735 ILCS 5/2-1303  from Ch. 110, par. 2-1303
735 ILCS 5/8-1901  from Ch. 110, par. 8-1901
735 ILCS 5/Art. VII Pt. 29 heading new
735 ILCS 5/8-2901 new

    Amends the Counties Code and the Code of Civil Procedure to reverse the changes made by Public Act 98-1132 concerning jury compensation and composition. Further amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes changes in Sections concerning: the filing of affidavits in medical malpractice cases attesting to the merits of the cause of action; reductions in the amount of recovery; interest on judgments; and admissions of liability and expressions of sympathy. Adds provisions concerning the use of federal law pay or guidelines in medical malpractice and medical product liability cases. Effective immediately.


LRB099 15736 HEP 40035 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2382LRB099 15736 HEP 40035 b

1    AN ACT concerning civil law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by changing Section
54-11001 as follows:
 
6    (55 ILCS 5/4-11001)  (from Ch. 34, par. 4-11001)
7    Sec. 4-11001. Juror fees. Each county shall pay to grand
8and petit jurors for their services in attending courts the sum
9of $4 sums of $25 for the first day and thereafter $50 for each
10day of necessary attendance at such courts as jurors in
11counties of the first class, the sum of $5 for each day in
12counties of the second class, and the sum of $10 for each day
13in counties of the third class, or such higher amount as may be
14fixed by the county board.
15    In addition, jurors shall receive such travel expense as
16may be determined by the county board, provided that jurors in
17counties of the first class and second class shall receive at
18least 10 cents per mile for their travel expense. Mileage shall
19be allowed for travel during a juror's term as well as for
20travel at the opening and closing of his or her term.
21    If a judge so orders, a juror shall also receive
22reimbursement for the actual cost of day care incurred by the
23juror during his or her service on a jury.

 

 

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1    The juror fees for service, transportation, and day care
2shall be paid out of the county treasury.
3    The clerk of the court shall furnish to each juror without
4fee whenever he is discharged a certificate of the number of
5days' attendance at court, and upon presentation thereof to the
6county treasurer, he shall pay to the juror the sum provided
7for his service.
8    Any juror may elect to waive the fee paid for service,
9transportation, or day care, or any combination thereof.
10(Source: P.A. 97-840, eff. 1-1-13; 98-1132, eff. 6-1-15.)
 
11    Section 10. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by
12changing Sections 2-622, 2-1105, 2-1205, 2-1205.1, 2-1303,
138-1901, and 8-2501, by re-enacting by adding Part 29 to Article
14VIII as follows:
 
15    (735 ILCS 5/2-622)  (from Ch. 110, par. 2-622)
16    Sec. 2-622. Healing art malpractice.
17    (a) In any action, whether in tort, contract or otherwise,
18in which the plaintiff seeks damages for injuries or death by
19reason of medical, hospital, or other healing art malpractice,
20the plaintiff's attorney or the plaintiff, if the plaintiff is
21proceeding pro se, shall file an affidavit, attached to the
22original and all copies of the complaint, declaring that one of
23the following: 1. That the affiant has consulted and reviewed
24the facts of the case with a health professional who the

 

 

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1affiant reasonably believes: (i) is knowledgeable in the
2relevant issues involved in the particular action; (ii)
3practices or has practiced within the last 6 years or teaches
4or has taught within the last 6 years in the same area of
5health care or medicine that is at issue in the particular
6action; and (iii) is qualified by experience or demonstrated
7competence in the subject of the case; that the reviewing
8health professional has determined in a written report, after a
9review of the medical record and other relevant material
10involved in the particular action that there is a reasonable
11and meritorious cause for the filing of such action; and that
12the affiant has concluded on the basis of the reviewing health
13professional's review and consultation that there is a
14reasonable and meritorious cause for filing of such action. If
15the affidavit is filed as to a defendant who is a physician
16licensed to treat human ailments without the use of drugs or
17medicines and without operative surgery, a dentist, a podiatric
18physician, a psychologist, or a naprapath, the written report
19must be from a health professional licensed in the same
20profession, with the same class of license, as the defendant.
21For affidavits filed as to all other defendants, the written
22report must be from a physician licensed to practice medicine
23in all its branches. In either event, the affidavit must
24identify the profession of the reviewing health professional. A
25copy of the written report, clearly identifying the plaintiff
26and the reasons for the reviewing health professional's

 

 

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1determination that a reasonable and meritorious cause for the
2filing of the action exists, must be attached to the affidavit,
3but information which would identify the reviewing health
4professional may be deleted from the copy so attached.
5        2. That the affiant was unable to obtain a consultation
6    required by paragraph 1 because a statute of limitations
7    would impair the action and the consultation required could
8    not be obtained before the expiration of the statute of
9    limitations. If an affidavit is executed pursuant to this
10    paragraph, the certificate and written report required by
11    paragraph 1 shall be filed within 90 days after the filing
12    of the complaint. The defendant shall be excused from
13    answering or otherwise pleading until 30 days after being
14    served with a certificate required by paragraph 1.
15        3. That a request has been made by the plaintiff or his
16    attorney for examination and copying of records pursuant to
17    Part 20 of Article VIII of this Code and the party required
18    to comply under those Sections has failed to produce such
19    records within 60 days of the receipt of the request. If an
20    affidavit is executed pursuant to this paragraph, the
21    certificate and written report required by paragraph 1
22    shall be filed within 90 days following receipt of the
23    requested records. All defendants except those whose
24    failure to comply with Part 20 of Article VIII of this Code
25    is the basis for an affidavit under this paragraph shall be
26    excused from answering or otherwise pleading until 30 days

 

 

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1    after being served with the certificate required by
2    paragraph 1.
3    (b) Where a certificate and written report are required
4pursuant to this Section a separate certificate and written
5report shall be filed as to each defendant who has been named
6in the complaint and shall be filed as to each defendant named
7at a later time.
8    (c) Where the plaintiff intends to rely on the doctrine of
9"res ipsa loquitur", as defined by Section 2-1113 of this Code,
10the certificate and written report must state that, in the
11opinion of the reviewing health professional, negligence has
12occurred in the course of medical treatment. The affiant shall
13certify upon filing of the complaint that he is relying on the
14doctrine of "res ipsa loquitur".
15    (d) When the attorney intends to rely on the doctrine of
16failure to inform of the consequences of the procedure, the
17attorney shall certify upon the filing of the complaint that
18the reviewing health professional has, after reviewing the
19medical record and other relevant materials involved in the
20particular action, concluded that a reasonable health
21professional would have informed the patient of the
22consequences of the procedure.
23    (e) Allegations and denials in the affidavit, made without
24reasonable cause and found to be untrue, shall subject the
25party pleading them or his attorney, or both, to the payment of
26reasonable expenses, actually incurred by the other party by

 

 

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1reason of the untrue pleading, together with reasonable
2attorneys' fees to be summarily taxed by the court upon motion
3made within 30 days of the judgment or dismissal. In no event
4shall the award for attorneys' fees and expenses exceed those
5actually paid by the moving party, including the insurer, if
6any. In proceedings under this paragraph (e), the moving party
7shall have the right to depose and examine any and all
8reviewing health professionals who prepared reports used in
9conjunction with an affidavit required by this Section.
10    (f) A reviewing health professional who in good faith
11prepares a report used in conjunction with an affidavit
12required by this Section shall have civil immunity from
13liability which otherwise might result from the preparation of
14such report.
15    (g) The failure to file a certificate required by this
16Section shall result in be grounds for dismissal under Section
172-619.
18    (h) (Blank).
19    (i) (Blank).
20(Source: P.A. 97-1145, eff. 1-18-13; 98-214, eff. 8-9-13.)
 
21    (735 ILCS 5/2-1105)  (from Ch. 110, par. 2-1105)
22    Sec. 2-1105. Jury demand.
23    (a) A plaintiff desirous of a trial by jury must file a
24demand therefor with the clerk at the time the action is
25commenced. A defendant desirous of a trial by jury must file a

 

 

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1demand therefor not later than the filing of his or her answer.
2Otherwise, the party waives a jury. If an action is filed
3seeking equitable relief and the court thereafter determines
4that one or more of the parties is or are entitled to a trial by
5jury, the plaintiff, within 3 days from the entry of such order
6by the court, or the defendant, within 6 days from the entry of
7such order by the court, may file his or her demand for trial
8by jury with the clerk of the court. If the plaintiff files a
9jury demand and thereafter waives a jury, any defendant and, in
10the case of multiple defendants, if the defendant who filed a
11jury demand thereafter waives a jury, any other defendant shall
12be granted a jury trial upon demand therefor made promptly
13after being advised of the waiver and upon payment of the
14proper fees, if any, to the clerk.
15    (b) All jury cases where the claim for damages is $50,000
16or less shall be tried by a jury of 6, unless either party
17demands a jury of 12. If a fee in connection with a jury demand
18is required by statute or rule of court, the fee for a jury of 6
19shall be 1/2 the fee for a jury of 12. A party demanding a jury
20of 12 after another party has paid the applicable fee for a
21jury of 6 shall pay the remaining 1/2 of the fee applicable to
22a jury of 12. If alternate jurors are requested, an additional
23fee established by the county shall be charged for each
24alternate juror requested. For all cases filed prior to the
25effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General
26Assembly, if a party has paid for a jury of 12, that party may

 

 

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1demand a jury of 12 upon proof of payment.
2(Source: P.A. 98-1132, eff. 6-1-15.)
 
3    (735 ILCS 5/2-1205)  (from Ch. 110, par. 2-1205)
4    Sec. 2-1205. Reduction in amount of recovery.
5    (a) An amount equal to the sum of (i) 50% of the benefits
6provided for lost wages or private or governmental disability
7income programs, which have been paid, or which have become
8payable to the injured person by any other person, corporation,
9insurance company or fund in relation to a particular injury,
10and (ii) 100% of the benefits provided for medical charges,
11hospital charges, or nursing or caretaking charges, which have
12been paid, or which have become payable to the injured person
13by any other person, corporation, insurance company or fund in
14relation to a particular injury, shall be deducted from any
15judgment in an action to recover for that injury based on an
16allegation of negligence or other wrongful act, not including
17intentional torts, on the part of a licensed hospital or
18physician; provided, however, that:
19        (1) Application is made within 30 days to reduce the
20    judgment;
21        (2) Such reduction shall not apply to the extent that
22    there is a right of recoupment through subrogation, trust
23    agreement, lien, or otherwise;
24        (3) The reduction shall not reduce the judgment by more
25    than 50% of the total amount of the judgment entered on the

 

 

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1    verdict;
2        (4) The damages awarded shall be increased by the
3    amount of any insurance premiums or the direct costs paid
4    by the plaintiff for such benefits in the 2 years prior to
5    plaintiff's injury or death or to be paid by the plaintiff
6    in the future for such benefits; and
7        (5) There shall be no reduction for charges paid for
8    medical expenses which were directly attributable to the
9    adjudged negligent acts or omissions of the defendants
10    found liable.
11    (b) In any proceedings to which this Section applies, the
12actual amount paid for health care services or to be paid under
13any health care services insurance or benefit program shall be
14used to determine the amount of the services and not the billed
15charges. Nothing is this Code shall be construed to prevent,
16and the court shall allow, the introduction of evidence of the
17amount paid by an affidavit or testimony of actual payment
18received.
19(Source: P.A. 84-7.)
 
20    (735 ILCS 5/2-1205.1)  (from Ch. 110, par. 2-1205.1)
21    (Text of Section WITHOUT the changes made by P.A. 89-7,
22which has been held unconstitutional)
23    Sec. 2-1205.1. Reduction in amount of recovery.
24    (a) In all cases on account of bodily injury or death or
25physical damage to property, based on negligence, or product

 

 

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1liability based on strict tort liability, to which Section
22-1205 does not apply, the amount in excess of $25,000 of the
3benefits provided for medical charges, hospital charges, or
4nursing or caretaking charges, which have been paid, or which
5have become payable by the date of judgment to the injured
6person by any other insurance company or fund in relation to a
7particular injury, shall be deducted from any judgment.
8Provided, however, that:
9        (1) Application is made within 30 days to reduce the
10    judgment;
11        (2) Such reduction shall not apply to the extent that
12    there is a right of recoupment through subrogation, trust
13    agreement, contract, lien, operation of law or otherwise;
14        (3) The reduction shall not reduce the judgment by more
15    than 50% of the total amount of the judgment entered on the
16    verdict; and
17        (4) The damages awarded shall be increased by the
18    amount of any insurance premiums or the direct costs paid
19    by the plaintiff for such benefits in the 2 years prior to
20    plaintiff's injury or death or to be paid by the plaintiff
21    in the future for such benefits.
22    (b) In any proceedings to which this Section applies, the
23actual amount paid for health care services or to be paid under
24any health care services insurance or benefit program shall be
25used to determine the amount of the services and not the billed
26charges. Nothing is this Code shall be construed to prevent,

 

 

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1and the court shall allow, the introduction of evidence of the
2amount paid by an affidavit or testimony of actual payment
3received.
4(Source: P.A. 84-1431.)
 
5    (735 ILCS 5/2-1303)  (from Ch. 110, par. 2-1303)
6    Sec. 2-1303. Interest on judgment.
7    (a) Judgments recovered in any court shall draw interest,
8at the rate that is equal to the rate at issuance on the
910-year United States Treasury Note most recently issued prior
10to of 9% per annum from the date of the judgment, until
11satisfied, provided that:
12        (1) if the rate on the 10-year United States Treasury
13    Note is less than 3%, then the judgment shall draw interest
14    at the rate of 3% per annum;
15        (2) if the rate on the 10-year United States Treasury
16    Note is more than 6%, then the judgment shall draw interest
17    at the rate of 6% per annum; and
18        (3) if or 6% per annum when the judgment debtor is a
19    unit of local government, as defined in Section 1 of
20    Article VII of the Constitution, a school district, a
21    community college district, or any other governmental
22    entity, then the judgment shall draw interest at the rate
23    of 1% per annum.
24     Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, when
25When judgment is entered upon any award, report or verdict,

 

 

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1interest shall be computed at the above rate, from the time
2when made or rendered to the time of entering judgment upon the
3same, and included in the judgment. Interest shall be computed
4and charged only on the unsatisfied portion of the judgment as
5it exists from time to time. The judgment debtor may by tender
6of payment of judgment, costs and interest accrued to the date
7of tender, stop the further accrual of interest on such
8judgment notwithstanding the prosecution of an appeal, or other
9steps to reverse, vacate or modify the judgment.
10    (b) In cases in which a federal Medicare right of recovery
11may exist against the judgment, interest under this Section
12shall be computed from the day after the federal Medicare
13program provides confirmation of any lien against the judgment,
14and no interest shall be paid on the Medicare right of recovery
15amount.
16    (c) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act
17of the 99th General Assembly apply to judgments entered after
18its effective date.
19(Source: P.A. 85-907.)
 
20    (735 ILCS 5/8-1901)  (from Ch. 110, par. 8-1901)
21    Sec. 8-1901. Admission of liability - Effect.
22    (a) The providing of, or payment for, medical, surgical,
23hospital, or rehabilitation services, facilities, or equipment
24by or on behalf of any person, or the offer to provide, or pay
25for, any one or more of the foregoing, shall not be construed

 

 

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1as an admission of any liability by such person or persons.
2Testimony, writings, records, reports or information with
3respect to the foregoing shall not be admissible in evidence as
4an admission of any liability in any action of any kind in any
5court or before any commission, administrative agency, or other
6tribunal in this State, except at the instance of the person or
7persons so making any such provision, payment or offer.
8    (b) Any expression of grief, apology, or explanation
9provided by a health care provider, including, but not limited
10to, a statement that the health care provider is "sorry" for
11the outcome to a patient, the patient's family, or the
12patient's legal representative about an inadequate or
13unanticipated treatment or care outcome shall not be admissible
14as evidence in any action of any kind in any court or before
15any tribunal, board, agency, or person. The disclosure of any
16such information, whether proper or improper, shall not waive
17or have any effect upon its confidentiality or inadmissibility.
18As used in this Section, a "health care provider" means any
19hospital, nursing home or other facility, or employee or agent
20thereof, physician, or other licensed health care
21professional. Nothing in this Section precludes the discovery
22or admissibility of any other facts regarding the patient's
23treatment or outcome as otherwise permitted by law.
24    (c) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act
25of the 99th General Assembly apply to causes of action accruing
26on or after its effective date.

 

 

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1(Source: P.A. 97-1145, eff. 1-18-13.)
 
2    (735 ILCS 5/Art. VII Pt. 29 heading new)
3
PART 29. FEDERAL PAYOR GUIDELINES

 
4    (735 ILCS 5/8-2901 new)
5    Sec. 8-2901. Federal payor guidelines.
6    (a) As used in this Section:
7        (1) "Criteria" means criteria relating to
8    administrative procedures and does not include criteria
9    relating to medical treatment, quality of care, or best
10    practices.
11        (2) "Guideline" means a guideline relating to
12    administrative procedures and does not include guidelines
13    relating to medical treatment, quality of care, or best
14    practices.
15        (3) "Payor" means any insurer, health maintenance
16    organization, self-insurance plan, or other person or
17    entity which provides, offers to provide, or administers
18    hospital, outpatient, medical, or other health care
19    benefits to persons treated by a health care provider in
20    this State pursuant to any policy, plan, or contract of
21    accident and health insurance.
22        (4) "Standard" means a standard relating to
23    administrative procedures and does not include standards
24    relating to medical treatment, quality of care, or best

 

 

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1    practices.
2    (b) The development, recognition, or implementation of any
3guideline by any public or private payor or the establishment
4of any payment standard or reimbursement criteria under any
5federal laws or regulations related to health care shall not be
6construed, without competent expert testimony establishing the
7appropriate standard of care, to establish a legal basis for
8negligence or the standard of care or duty of care owed by a
9health care provider to a patient in any civil action for
10medical malpractice or medical product liability. Compliance
11with such a guideline, standard, or criteria shall not be used
12to establish a health care provider's compliance with the
13standard of care or duty of care owed by a health care provider
14to a patient in any civil action for medical malpractice or
15medical product liability without competent expert testimony
16establishing the appropriate standard of care.
 
17    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
18becoming law.