The Civil Justice Fairness Act was proposed to limit the amount of monetary compensation awardable in civil case to a maximum of either $250,000 or 300% of the economic damage caused by the defendant; whichever was greater. Opponents of this act argued that federal restrictions of this sort would illegally preempt state authority.
The bill was a combination of two preceding bills.[1] First, the Product Liability Fairness Act of 1995, was passed by the US Congress, but was vetoed by President Clinton. Second, the Attorney Accountability Act of 1995 passed the house.