PHOENIX — State lawmakers acted illegally when they voted to immunize doctors and hospitals from claims they acted negligently in treating patients during the COVID outbreak, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Friday.

In a split decision, the justices voided a 2021 statute which was designed to provide liability protection for medical professionals when they were dealing with a novel disease with no known treatment. Lawmakers said they wanted to ensure that doctors and hospitals would continue to treat patients and not be deterred by the fear of lawsuits.

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