NC H542

Limits evidence of past medical expenses to amounts actually paid or necessary to satisfy bills, regardless of payment source, and prohibits courts from imposing duty to seek reductions in billed charges.

Modifies expert witness standards to require that testimony be based on sufficient facts or data, use reliable principles and methods, and apply those principles reliably to the case facts.

Increases the damage threshold for attorney's fees awards in insurance cases from $10,000 to $20,000, requires unwarranted refusal to negotiate or pay, and caps attorney's fees awards at $10,000.

Creates the Trespasser Responsibility Act establishing that landowners owe no duty of care to trespassers except in cases of intentional harm, artificial conditions endangering child trespassers, or discovered trespassers in peril.

Effective October 1, 2011, applying to causes of action arising on or after that date for trespasser provisions and actions commenced on or after that date for other reforms.