Queensland is getting a second batch of liability law reforms in a further bid to deal with public liability premiums. The reforms found in the Civil Liability Bill 2003 centre on providing protection for volunteers and community groups, who have been hit hard by the increases. Attorney-General Rod Welford says the reforms will put “common sense” and personal responsibility back into liability law.

The changes build on the Government’s first package which included procedural amendments to cut legal costs, an end to jury-based trials in personal injury cases and a ban on no-win-no-fee lawyer advertising.

The new reforms include a $250,000 cap on general damages, the introduction of proportionate liability on non-personal claims exceeding $500,000 and no liability for failure to warn of obvious risks. A person injured while engaging in criminal activity or while intoxicated will no longer be able to seek damages.

And parents of children injured during medical procedures will have to inform doctors of their plans to sue within six years of the damage being done.