LA HB597

Authorizes each judicial district court to establish a "speedy tort claims division" with jurisdiction limited to tort cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $50,000

Magistrate judges must be appointed by majority vote of district court judges, have been domiciled in the parish for one year, and admitted to the Louisiana bar for at least eight years, with salary paid from the judicial expense fund

Requires trials to be set within 60 days of a motion to set for trial, prohibits jury trials, mandates all medical and expert testimony be submitted by deposition, and reduces court costs to half of standard district court fees

Limits appeals to errors of law only (no factual appeals), requires a three-judge appellate panel whose decision is final with no appeal available to the Louisiana Supreme Court

Applies workers' compensation treatment guidelines and medical reimbursement schedules from the Louisiana Administrative Code to all claims filed in the division