Pollard Rogers figures that for years, the Cantey & Hanger law firm in Fort Worth has had one of the largest medical malpractice defense practices in North Texas. And it probably still does. But it's nowhere near as big as it was before the state changed the tort system three years ago, said Rogers, the firm's managing partner. The Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act of 2003 put caps on noneconomic (pain and suffering) damages that could be awarded and raised the standard of proof necessary to win a malpractice case against an emergency healthcare provider. There is no cap on economic damages for lost income and medical expenses. "Clearly the legislation has had the result intended. The number of filings in medical malpractice is down significantly," said Rogers, who's also seen the effect from his position as a board member of Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth.