Florida Governor Signs Tort Reform Bill That Changes Rules for Expert Witnesses

ATLANTA—Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) June 5 signed a law (S.B. 1792) that requires expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases to practice in the same specialty as the defendant.

The new law “will correct gross imbalances in Florida’s tort system,” Florida Medical Association spokeswoman Erin VanSickle said, noting that “physicians feel strongly that medical experts testifying in medical liability cases be in the same specialty” as the defendant in the case.

But the Florida Justice Association said that one change could conflict with federal health care privacy laws protecting patient confidentiality.

The new law:

• Specifies that a provider who gives ...