12-584

12-584. Special findings; future damages

A. If liability is found in a trial conducted under this article, the trier of fact shall make separate findings for each claimant specifying the amount of any:

1. Past damages in a lump sum.

2. Future damages for noneconomic loss in a lump sum.

3. Future damages and the periods over which they will accrue, on an annual basis, for each of the following types:

(a) Costs of health care.

(b) Other economic loss.

B. The findings for future costs of health care of an injured claimant shall reflect the costs and losses during each year the trier of fact finds the claimant will sustain those costs and losses. The findings for other future economic loss of an injured claimant shall be based on the losses that the claimant or beneficiary will sustain over the period of time the claimant or the deceased would have lived but for the bodily injury on which the claim is based.

C. The trier of fact may find that future costs of health care will continue for the duration of the claimant's life, in which case it is not necessary to decide how long the claimant will live. If the trier of fact so finds, the trier of fact shall determine the costs of health care the claimant will incur each year while living.