Medical malpractice legislation passes Tennessee House

The Tennessee House has passed a bill that seeks to limit frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits. The bill requires defendants be given 60 days notice before a lawsuit is filed, and for attorneys to have an independent medical expert evaluate the merits of a case before filing suit. Representatives from the Tennessee Medical Association said the need for the legislation became apparent several years ago after a study found that roughly 80 percent of malpractice lawsuits in Tennessee end in no payouts to the plaintiffs.