politics

'Pain And Suffering' Victims Could Get Larger Payouts In Oregon

By Chris Lehman (OPB)
Salem, Oregon Feb. 28, 2017 10:43 p.m.

A measure under consideration in Salem would allow juries to award unlimited damages in lawsuits alleging negligence.

Juries can already award unlimited damages tied to actual economic harm done to victims. But the state has a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages, sometimes referred to as "pain and suffering."

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Crime victims spoke in favor of the measure at a Oregon Capitol press conference Tuesday.

Jon Anderson was sexually abused in his early teens by a Boy Scouts troop leader. He said a $500,000 isn't damaging enough to get large organizations to change their ways.

"The only way that they see that they have to make these changes is when there are financial consequences," Anderson said.

The measure is opposed by business and medical groups. They say pain and suffering awards are highly subjective, and removing the cap would drive up the cost of medical care.

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