A Florida Senate panel Thursday rejected nine medical liability measures that would have placed caps on malpractice lawsuit awards in the state. The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee voted 10-1 to defeat lawsuit limits in Florida, causing immediate protest from physicians and hospital groups. Trial lawyers called the decision a "major, major victory" in the ongoing war over tort reform. The decision comes less than two weeks after the Senate rejected a bill aimed at capping pain and suffering awards in Florida nursing home negligence cases.

Tort reform bills continue to be brought before state congresses as physicians and trial lawyers battle over rising insurance premiums. The U.S. Senate is currently planning a vote on legislation aimed at capping medical malpractice awards nationwide.