Sec. 18.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), economic damages are the only compensation for a claim under section 17. Except as provided in subsection (2), a court shall not award and a governmental agency shall not pay noneconomic damages as compensation for an event.
(2) A governmental agency remains subject to tort liability for noneconomic damages caused by an event only if the claimant or the individual on whose behalf the claimant is making the claim has suffered death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
(3) In an action for noneconomic damages under section 17, the issues of whether a claimant or the individual on whose behalf the claimant is making the claim has suffered serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement are questions of law for the court if the court finds either of the following:
(a) There is no factual dispute concerning the nature and extent of the claimant's or the individual's injuries.
(b) There is a factual dispute concerning the nature and extent of the claimant's or the individual's injuries, but the dispute is not material to determining whether the claimant or the individual has suffered a serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.
(4) Unless this act provides otherwise, a party to a civil action brought under section 17 has all applicable common law and statutory defenses ordinarily available in civil actions, and is entitled to all rights and procedures available under the Michigan court rules.
History: Add. 2001, Act 222, Imd. Eff. Jan. 2, 2002 Popular Name: Governmental Immunity Act
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Act 170 of 1964 - Governmental Liability for Negligence (691.1401 - 691.1419)
Section 691.1401 - Definitions.
Section 691.1403 - Defective Highways; Knowledge of Defect, Repair.
Section 691.1404 - Notice of Injury and Defect in Highway.
Section 691.1405 - Government Owned Vehicles; Liability for Negligent Operation.
Section 691.1406 - Public Buildings; Dangerous Condition; Liability; Notice, Contents, Service.
Section 691.1406a - Subrogation.
Section 691.1407a - Repealed. 1999, Act 241, Eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
Section 691.1407b - Repealed. 1999, Act 242, Eff. Jan. 1, 2003.
Section 691.1409 - Liability Insurance; Waiver of Defense.
Section 691.1410 - Claims Against State, Political Subdivision, or Municipal Corporation; Procedure.
Section 691.1411 - Claim Against Government Agency; Limitation of Actions.
Section 691.1412 - Claims Under Act; Defenses Available.
Section 691.1413 - Damage Arising Out of Performance of Proprietary Function.
Section 691.1415 - Effective Date of Act.
Section 691.1416 - Definitions.
Section 691.1418 - Economic Damages; Grounds for Noneconomic Damages; Available Defenses.