Texas Legislature Rejects SB 30, Preserving Full Compensation Rights for Injury Victims

The Texas legislature has declined to advance SB 30, legislation that would have imposed significant limitations on compensation for personal injury and wrongful death claims. Introduced in 2025, the bill sought to cap monetary awards for plaintiffs in cases involving car accidents, workplace injuries, and premises liability claims.

Supporters of SB 30 framed the legislation as essential tort reform that would prevent excessive lawsuits and nuclear verdicts. They argued that limiting payouts would create a more predictable legal environment for businesses and insurance providers. However, opponents characterized the bill as favoring insurance corporations over injured Texans, potentially sacrificing the rights of victims in favor of corporate interests.

The proposed legislation would have restricted plaintiffs' ability to present evidence related to non-economic damages, including emotional distress, reputational harm, and pain and suffering. During Senate Committee hearings, survivors of serious injuries and sexual assaults testified about the importance of these non-economic damages in achieving true justice. Their testimony highlighted how monetary compensation for intangible harms represents a crucial component of recovery for victims.

Data presented during legislative deliberations showed that only 4.6% of all verdicts in Texas between 2021 and 2025 exceeded $10 million, challenging the narrative of widespread nuclear verdicts that supporters cited. The bill would have applied limitations across all personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, affecting not just high-profile cases but everyday claims from ordinary Texans.

The preservation of full legal recourse maintains Texas's commitment to allowing injured parties to seek damages that accurately reflect both economic losses and non-economic harms. This outcome ensures that negligence claims can continue to provide comprehensive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the profound personal impacts of injuries. The failure of SB 30 represents a significant victory for consumer protection advocates and maintains the balance between corporate interests and individual rights within the state's legal framework.