Section 1. {Title}

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Truth in Damages Act.

Section 2. {Definitions}

The following words, as used in this Act, shall have the meaning set forth below, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(A) “Collateral source” means a benefit paid or payable to the claimant or on his behalf, under, from, or pursuant to:

(1) The United States Social Security Act;

(2) Any state or federal income replacement, disability, workers compensation, or other Act designed to provide partial or full wage or income replacement;

(3) Any accident, health or sickness, income or wage replacement insurance, income disability insurance, casualty or proper insurance including automobile accident and homeowners, insurance benefits, or any other insurance benefits, except life insurance benefits;

(4) Any contract or agreement of any group, organization, partnership, or corporation to provide, pay for, or reimburse the cost of medical, hospital, dental, or other health care services or provide similar benefits;

(5) Any contractual or voluntary wage continuation plan, or payments made pursuant to such a plan, provided by an employer or otherwise, or any other system intended to provide wages during a period of disability.

(B)  “Claimant” means any person who brings a personal injury action, and if such an action is brought through or on behalf of an estate, the term includes the claimant’s decedent, or if such an action is brought through or on behalf of a minor, the term includes the claimant’s parent or guardian.

(C)  “Damages” in this Act refer to economic losses paid or payable by collateral sources for wage loss, medical costs, rehabilitation costs, services, and other out-of-pocket costs incurred by or on behalf of a claimant for which that party is claiming recovery through a tort suit.

Section 3. {Admissibility of evidence}

(A) In all tort actions, regardless of the theory of liability under which they are brought, the court shall allow the admission into evidence of proof of collateral source payments which already have been made or which are substantially certain to be made to the claimant as compensation for the same damages sought in the suit. Proof of such payments shall be considered by the trier of fact in arriving at the amount of any award, and shall be considered by the court in reviewing awards made for excessiveness.

(B)  The trier of fact shall be informed of the tax implications of all damage awards. The trier of fact may hear evidence of the premiums personally paid by the claimant to obtain any collateral sources paid or payable.

Section 4. {Special damages findings required}

(A) If liability is found in any tort action, regardless of the theory of liability, then the trier of fact, in addition to other appropriate findings, shall make separate findings for each claimant specifying the amount of:

(1) Any past damages for:

(a)    Medical and other costs of health care;

(b)   Other economic loss; and

(c)    Noneconomic loss;

(2) Any future damages and the periods over which they will accrue, on an annual basis, for each of the following types of damages:

(a)    Medical and other costs of health care;

(b)   Other economic loss; and

(c)    Noneconomic loss.

(B)  The calculation of all future medical care and other costs of health care and future noneconomic loss must reflect the costs and losses during the period of time the claimant will sustain those costs and losses. The calculation for other economic loss must be based on the losses during the period of time the claimant would have lived but for the injury upon which the claim is based.

Section 5. {Severability clause}

Section 6. {Repealer clause}

Section 7. {Effective date}

Approved by ALEC Board of Directors on August 2007.