The Texas legislature has rejected SB 30, a bill that would have imposed monetary limits on personal injury and wrongful death claims, effectively preserving the existing legal framework that allows injured parties to seek full compensation. Introduced in 2025, the legislation aimed to reduce potential payouts for various injury claims including car accidents, work-related incidents, and premises liability cases. Supporters framed the bill as necessary tort reform to prevent excessive lawsuits, while opponents characterized it as pro-insurance legislation that would undermine victims' rights in favor of corporate interests.
The proposed legislation would have capped compensation amounts and restricted evidence presentation regarding emotional distress, reputational harm, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages. During Senate Committee hearings, survivors of injuries and sexual assaults testified about the importance of these non-economic damages in achieving justice. While proponents argued SB 30 would address so-called "nuclear verdicts," data reveals that only 4.6% of Texas verdicts between 2021 and 2025 exceeded $10 million, suggesting the bill's scope extended far beyond exceptional cases.
The failure of SB 30 means Texas residents can continue pursuing legal damages against negligent parties without artificial limitations on compensation. This outcome maintains the ability to seek financial recovery that accurately reflects both economic losses and non-economic harms. For now, the rights of injured individuals remain prioritized over insurance company interests in Texas's legal landscape, preserving a system where victims can seek appropriate redress through the courts without predetermined caps on their potential recovery.
