COLUMBIA, S.C. - Legislation limiting lawsuit awards in medical malpractice cases is heading to Gov. Mark Sanford's desk.

The legislation, expected to be ratified and sent to Sanford on Wednesday, sets a $350,000 cap on pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. If a doctor, hospital and another care provider were involved in an incident, the award limit would reach a total of more than $1 million.

"Obviously we're looking forward to getting this bill," Sanford spokesman Will Folks said. "The governor's strongly supportive of legislation that will make South Carolina more competitive and this is an example."

The legislation also makes changes in aspects of all lawsuits, not just those involving medical care providers.

One change encourages out-of-court settlements by penalizing the party rejecting the settlement if a jury awards damages to the other side.

The legislation also sets new standards for expert witnesses in lawsuits involving nonmedical professions, including architects, lawyers, certified public accountants, land surveyors, counselors and professional.

Last week, Sanford signed a bill dealing with lawsuits that sets standards for who pays what share of damages, restricts where lawsuits can be filed, targets frivolous lawsuits and limits how long businesses and consumers can sue over shoddy construction.

Groups outside the Legislature say they want more limits put on lawsuits, but that may not happen for a while.

"First of all, we need to let the ink dry and let the provisions of these bills go into effect and have an effect and then see if there's any need to do more," House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, said. "The first thing to do is let's give these bills a chance to work."