(AP) -- LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Supreme Court has decided to reconsider a significant precedent that limits when people injured in auto accidents can sue for pain and suffering.
The 4-3 order could lead to the reversal of a 2004 ruling that critics including personal injury lawyers and medical groups say made it too hard to sue in auto crashes.
Democratic lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried to reverse the decision known as Kreiner (KRY'-nur) through legislation. The high court's makeup changed when a Democrat defeated a Republican incumbent in last year's election.
State law allows non-economic damages - or pain and suffering - but only when someone is killed, seriously impaired or seriously disfigured. The controversy is over the threshold for when victims are seriously impaired.
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