California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) released the following statement on the California Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case that could have overturned the state’s landmark medical malpractice law:

“By refusing to hear this case, the California Supreme Court ensured that California will continue to be a safe place for doctors to practice. Thirty-four years ago, then-governor Jerry Brown signed the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) that placed a $250,000 cap on recoverable noneconomic damages to counter runaway jury verdicts that were driving medical professionals out of California. It has since become a model for reform elsewhere.

“Personal injury lawyers continuously attack this law because it is one of the few protections offered in California against excessive damages and litigation. The Fifth Appellate Court ruling and the California Supreme Court’s decision not review it are victories for the patients and practitioners alike.”