CT SB00481

Permits evidence of whether a motor vehicle occupant was wearing a seat safety belt to be admissible in civil negligence actions for determining the cause of personal injury and as a mitigating circumstance in damages awards, effective October 1, 2010 for actions filed on or after that date.

Removes the prior prohibition against considering failure to wear a seat safety belt as contributory negligence in personal injury actions.

Clarifies that booster seats must be used with a seat safety belt that includes a shoulder belt meeting specified requirements.

Requires plaintiffs in personal injury actions to comply with requests for physical or mental examinations by adverse parties unless the plaintiff files written objection within 10 days specifying grounds and the court finds good cause to deny the request.

Changes medical examination procedures from court-ordered examinations to a request-based system initiated by adverse parties, effective October 1, 2010 for actions filed on or after that date.