1. (a) Except as provided by Section 84.007, in any civil action brought against a hospital or hospital system, or its employees, officers, directors, or volunteers, for damages based on an act or omission by the hospital or hospital system, or its employees, officers, directors, or volunteers, the liability of the hospital or hospital system is limited to money damages in a maximum amount of $500,000 for any act or omission resulting in death, damage, or injury to a patient if the patient or, if the patient is a minor or is otherwise legally incompetent, the person responsible for the patient signs a written statement that acknowledges:

   1. (1) that the hospital is providing care that is not administered for or in expectation of compensation; and
   2. (2) the limitations on the recovery of damages from the hospital in exchange for receiving the health care services.

2. (b) Subsection (a) applies even if:

   1. (1) the patient is incapacitated due to illness or injury and cannot sign the acknowledgment statement required by that subsection; or
   2. (2) the patient is a minor or is otherwise legally incompetent and the person responsible for the patient is not reasonably available to sign the acknowledgment statement required by that subsection.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, Sec. 10.06, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.