Utah Medical Malpractice Settlement Calculator
Estimate what a Utah medical malpractice claim might be worth. Utah caps non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages at $450,000. Economic damages are not capped. This is an estimate to understand the factors — not a prediction or an offer.
A rough estimate, not a prediction or an offer.
Medical malpractice is one of the hardest claims to prove and value. This shows how Utah's damage cap and fault rule shape a rough range — actual outcomes depend on expert proof of the standard of care, the facts, and negotiation. Consult a Utah medical-malpractice attorney about your case.
Utah damage cap
Utah caps non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages at $450,000. Economic damages are not capped.
Enter the medical bills and losses to see an estimated range
This estimator applies the multiplier method to your medical bills, then Utah's medical-malpractice damage cap and comparative-fault rule. It does not assess whether the provider actually breached the standard of care, which is the core of any med-mal case and requires expert testimony. Most states also require a pre-suit affidavit/certificate of merit and have a short, strict filing deadline. This is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
Utah's Medical Malpractice Damage Cap
Utah caps non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages at $450,000. Economic damages are not capped.
Utah caps NON-ECONOMIC damages (pain, suffering, inconvenience) in medical malpractice actions under Utah Code § 78B-3-410. For causes of action arising on or after May 15, 2010 the cap is a FIXED $450,000 set by the legislature — it is NOT inflation-adjusted (earlier vintages were CPI-adjusted: e.g., $400k+ inflation between 2002 and 2010, peaking around $480,000-$490,000 in 2008-09 before the legislature reset it to a fixed $450,000 in 2010). ECONOMIC damages are uncapped. CRITICAL EXCEPTION: the Utah Supreme Court held in Smith v. United States, 2015 UT 68, that the § 78B-3-410 cap is UNCONSTITUTIONAL as applied to WRONGFUL-DEATH cases under Utah Constitution art. XVI, § 5 (which bars laws limiting the amount of damages recoverable for causing death). So the $450,000 cap applies to non-fatal med-mal injuries only; in wrongful-death med-mal cases there is NO non-economic cap. The cap remains in force for personal-injury (non-death) claims.
Source: Utah Code § 78B-3-410.
Deadline to File a Utah Malpractice Claim
Utah generally requires a medical-malpractice lawsuit to be filed within 2 years (the statute of limitations). Utah Code § 78B-3-404: 2 years from when the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered the injury, with an absolute statute of repose barring claims more than 4 years after the act/omission. Exceptions to the 4-year repose: foreign object left in the body (1 year from discovery) and fraudulent concealment (1 year from discovery). A pre-litigation notice of intent and a request for a pre-litigation panel review are prerequisites. 2025 HB 288 would have extended these (discovery 2->4 yrs, repose 4->8 yrs, exceptions 1->2 yrs) AND raised the cap to $950,000, but it DIED — its enacting clause was struck on March 7, 2025 and it never passed (Utah Hospital Association recap confirms it was stopped). The 2/4-year periods therefore remain current. Miss the deadline and the claim is usually barred no matter how strong it is, so do not wait to talk to an attorney.
How the Estimate Works
No tool can predict a malpractice settlement. This estimator adds your economic damages (medical bills and lost wages, which are generally not capped), estimates pain and suffering with the multiplier method, then applies Utah's damage cap and comparative-fault rule. The hard part of any malpractice case — proving the provider breached the standard of care — is assumed here and must be established with expert testimony. Use the pain and suffering calculator to explore the non-economic piece, or read about what different injuries are worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Utah cap medical malpractice damages?
Utah caps non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages at $450,000. Economic damages are not capped.
How much is a Utah malpractice case worth?
No one can tell you a number in advance. A rough estimate adds your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and a pain-and-suffering multiplier, then applies Utah's damage cap and fault rule. The real value depends on proving the standard of care was breached, the facts, and negotiation — an attorney is the only way to value your specific case.
How long do I have to file in Utah?
Generally 2 years. Utah Code § 78B-3-404: 2 years from when the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered the injury, with an absolute statute of repose barring claims more than 4 years after the act/omission. Exceptions to the 4-year repose: foreign object left in the body (1 year from discovery) and fraudulent concealment (1 year from discovery). A pre-litigation notice of intent and a request for a pre-litigation panel review are prerequisites. 2025 HB 288 would have extended these (discovery 2->4 yrs, repose 4->8 yrs, exceptions 1->2 yrs) AND raised the cap to $950,000, but it DIED — its enacting clause was struck on March 7, 2025 and it never passed (Utah Hospital Association recap confirms it was stopped). The 2/4-year periods therefore remain current.
Are economic damages capped?
In most cap states, no — caps usually apply only to non-economic (pain and suffering) damages, while medical bills and lost wages are recovered in full. A few states (like Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Virginia) cap total damages instead.
Is this calculator accurate?
It is a rough estimate to show the factors that drive value, especially the cap — not a prediction or an offer. Real malpractice settlements vary enormously and depend on expert proof. Treat any number here as a ballpark and consult a Utah malpractice attorney.
Disclaimer
This estimator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a prediction of any outcome. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm. Medical-malpractice law, including damage caps, changes frequently and caps are often litigated; figures are current as of 2026-06-02. The value of a malpractice claim can only be assessed by a licensed attorney reviewing your specific facts and the medical record.