2005 Session Laws Chapter 119

ENTITLED, An Act to limit the damages that may be awarded in a medical malpractice action against a podiatrist.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

Section 1. That § 21-3-11 be amended to read as follows:

21-3-11. In any action for damages for personal injury or death alleging malpractice against any physician licensed pursuant to chapter 36-4, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, hospital, critical access hospital, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician's assistant, or against the practitioner's corporate, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company employer based upon the acts or omissions of the practitioner, under the laws of this state, whether taken through the court system or by binding arbitration, the total general damages which may be awarded may not exceed the sum of five hundred thousand dollars. There is no limitation on the amount of special damages which may be awarded. This section applies only to causes of action arising from injuries or death occurring after July 1, 1976. However, in the case of chiropractors, it applies only to the causes of action arising from injuries or death occurring after July 1, 1978. In the case of optometrists, it applies only to causes of action arising from injuries or death occurring after July 1, 2002. In the case of podiatrists, it applies only to causes of action arising from injuries or death occurring after July 1, 2005.