RTD Calls for Legislation to Set Ceiling on Payouts
Southern California Rapid Transit District officials on Friday called for state legislation to set a ceiling on accident claims payouts for all public agencies, including transit districts.
RTD board President Nick Patsaouras said that unlike many other states, California has no limit on the amount courts can award individuals suing government agencies, although the state puts a cap of $250,000 on medical malpractice awards.
The proposed limit of $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence would save the RTD $6.4 million a year--about 1% of its annual budget--he said. A spokeswoman for state Sen. Alan Robbins said the Tarzana Democrat has agreed to introduce a bill in January incorporating the liability cap.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
