Prohibit Litigation Invest/Amend WC Benefits
Plain English Summary
This bill has two main parts: it prohibits litigation investments (third-party funding of lawsuits in exchange for a share of any settlement or judgment) in North Carolina civil cases, and it increases workers' compensation benefit amounts for certain injuries, including raising maximum awards for facial disfigurement from $20,000 to $40,000 and other injury categories from $10,000-$20,000 to $20,000-$40,000.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue that prohibiting litigation investments protects the integrity of the civil justice system by preventing outside investors from controlling or influencing lawsuits for profit, which could encourage frivolous claims and drive up litigation costs. They contend that increasing workers' compensation benefits ensures injured workers receive adequate coverage for serious injuries, particularly disfigurements that affect earning potential and quality of life.
Arguments Against
Opponents of the litigation investment prohibition argue it may limit access to justice for people without resources to fund their own lawsuits, potentially preventing meritorious cases from being brought. Critics of the workers' compensation increases contend that higher benefit caps may raise insurance costs for employers and workers, and question whether the increases are fiscally necessary or properly calibrated to actual injury costs.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 19
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 65
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 54
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 16
Cosponsors (34)
Representative · District 12
Representative · District 116
Representative · District 8
Representative · District 28
Representative · District 70
Representative · District 84
Representative · District 95
Representative · District 89
Representative · District 48
Representative · District 5
Representative · District 67
Representative · District 22
Representative · District 106
Representative · District 26
Representative · District 23
Representative · District 45
Representative · District 44
Representative · District 76
Representative · District 111
Representative · District 27
Representative · District 68
Representative · District 79
Representative · District 110
Representative · District 47
Representative · District 92
Representative · District 66
Representative · District 31
Representative · District 97
Representative · District 78
Representative · District 57
Representative · District 113
Representative · District 105
Representative · District 35
Representative · District 107
Vote Breakdown (3 roll calls)
This bill was signed into law.
Final Vote
On: Second Reading
Party Breakdown