The New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the Medical Malpractice Act, which maintains non-medical and non-punitive damages at $600,000. The limit does not extend to punitive damages and compensation for medical and rehabilitative care.
The five-member panel argue that a cap on some damages will just be a legal consequence when juries determine amounts to award.
The decision reverses a 2018 ruling made by the Bernalillo County District Court, which declared such caps unconstitutional.
In that case, a woman was awarded $2.6 million in damages in her lawsuit against an Albuquerque doctor and health provider over a botched gynecological procedure. The provider requested a cap on certain damages be applied.