Florida's new approach to the medical liability crisis.

A new Florida medical liability insurance act went into effect on February 8, 1988. It would allow for prompt resolution of claims with mandatory presuit investigation of all claims and defenses and voluntary arbitration. A cap of $250,000 is placed on noneconomic damages without punitive awards. Refusal to arbitrate leads to a loss on limit on damages awardable at trial. Special provisions are made for birth-related neurological injury compensation.