Two bills that could make it harder to bring large lawsuits against trucking companies have been introduced by lawmakers in Texas this month. 

According to KVUE, Senate Bill 30 by State Sen. Charles Schwertner would modify the rules regarding reasonableness and necessity of medical expenses in personal injury cases brought against trucking companies. The bill would also set limits on how much could be claimed, and how medical costs are determined. Under the bill, judges will be able to lower jury verdicts above $1 million in wrongful death cases and $250,000 in personal injury cases. 

Senate Bill 39 by State Sen. Brian Birdwell would also modify medical expenses, and would also limit liability for trucking companies by restricting claims that extend beyond the crash. The bill would also cap what could be recovered for past and future medical expenses. In addition, the bill would tighten the rules surrounding noneconomic damages related to the crash, such as pain and suffering, and would set a limit for how much can be awarded. 

Texans for Lawsuit Reform has stated that the bills would not “prevent anyone involved from pursuing a lawsuit … recovering all that is entitled to them from the driver and the company and even recovering damages if appropriate.” The group also states that the bill is aimed at preventing unreasonable lawsuits, not at making it harder for victims from pursuing lawsuits.