The Pacific Research Institute released the U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2006 Report, a new report that ranks all 50 states in terms of relative tort burdens and relative tort reforms.

Maryland ranks near that bottom, at 46.

The study considered 39 variables that were divided into five subgroups:

1. Monetary tort losses – Maryland ranked 24
2. Threats – Maryland ranked 44
3. Monetary caps – Maryland ranked 39
4. Substantive-law rules and reforms – Maryland ranked 44
5. Procedural/structural rules and reforms – Maryland ranked 43

Click here to access the complete study.

Maryland’s medical liability climate was one of the key factors in its low ranking. The state ranked last in terms of its medical-malpractice statute of limitations. Maryland also ranked 46th in the nation for medical-malpractice tort losses. medical-malpractice damage cap that ranks poorly..

Maryland has clearly lagged behind other states in terms of enacting meaningful tort reform. This study offers further proof. The Maryland Chamber will continue to advocate meaningful reforms, including:

• Restoring the cap on non-economic damage awards in latent disease and latent injury cases.
• Enacting legislation to provide reasonable limits for appeal bonds, so that businesses are not effectively denied the right to appeal large verdicts.
• Promoting reforms to civil liability law that will help moderate medical liability insurance rates