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News Archive: Civil Justice Reform
New Study Ranks Best, Worst State Lawsuit Climates
Senior attorneys at America’s largest employers say state court liability systems have steadily improved over the last several years, but fewer than half of them rate the state courts as “excellent” or “pretty good.” (Posted: 4/23/2008)
2008 State-by-state Rankings Released of the Best and Worst Tort Systems in America
The Pacific Research Institute released March 11 its report comparing the legal climates of all 50 states. According to the “U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2008 Report,” Florida ranked the worst in terms of tort costs and litigation risks, while North Dakota ranked the best. (Posted: 3/12/2008)
Rhode Island: NAMIC, Others Argue Against Expansion of Public Nuisance Tort in Lead Paint Case
In a brief submitted to the Rhode Island Supreme Court, NAMIC and other organizations contend that a lower court was wrong to hold lead pigment manufacturers liable for damages and remediation costs under public nuisance theory. (Posted: 2/12/2008)
Hawaii: NAMIC Files Comments on Proposed Additions to Unauthorized Practice of Law Rule
NAMIC filed written comments on Jan. 24 with the Hawaii Judiciary Public Affairs Office on a proposed addition to the current law on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Rule. The proposed addition would spell-out which persons and activities fit within the definition of the “Practice of Law.” (Posted: 1/29/2008)
Colorado: Statutory Offer of Settlement Passes House; Fact Sheet Distributed to Legislators
The House of Representatives passed HB 1020, the statutory offer of settlement bill, last week on a 38-25 vote. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration and public hearing. (Posted: 1/29/2008)
Colorado: Statutory Offer of Settlement Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee
The House Judiciary Committee passed HB 1020, the Statutory Offer of Settlement bill, Jan. 16 on a 6-4 vote. The bill is now set for a vote in the full House of Representatives. (Posted: 1/22/2008)
Gov. Jon Corzine declined to sign a controversial bill providing unlimited damages for emotional harm in wrongful death actions by the Jan. 15 deadline; however, in a veto message he indicated a willingness to reconsider similar legislation if modified. (Posted: 1/22/2008)
Massachusetts: Dead Man Cannot Be Sued, Appeals Court Rules
A deceased individual’s estate cannot be held liable for negligence based on a dangerous condition that had been known to the deceased individual, the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled recently. (Posted: 1/8/2008)
U.S. Tort Costs Down in 2006, According to Towers Perrin Study
U.S. tort costs totaled $247 billion in 2006, which is approximately $825 per person and $57 less per person than in 2005, according to the 2007 “Update on U.S. Tort Cost Trends” from the Tillinghast insurance consulting practice of Towers Perrin. Tort costs declined by 5.5 percent in 2006, which is significantly lower than the growth rate of 0.4 percent in 2005, 6 percent in 2004 and 5.5 percent in 2003. (Posted: 12/18/2007)
Washington: Insurance Fair Conduct Act Goes into Effect on Dec. 6
Referendum 67, the Insurance Fair Conduct Act, which was approved by 57 percent of the voters in the Nov. 6 election, will go into effect on Dec. 6. NAMIC joined Consumers Against Higher Insurance Rates to oppose the passage of this unnecessary and excessive “bad faith” legislation passed by the state Legislature in the 2007 session. (Posted: 11/20/2007)
NAMIC Warns of Likely Rate Hikes in Washington Following Passage of R-67 (11/7/2007)
Washington: Member Alert Distributed to Thwart Passage of R-67 (10/23/2007)
NAMIC Updates Grids on State Civil Justice Reforms (9/11/2007)
Washington: Insurers Join Together to Defeat Referendum 67 (7/23/2007)
Illinois: No Budget Deal, No End in Sight for Session? (6/12/2007)
Oklahoma: 2007 Session Brings Salvage Sale Reform, No Major Tort Reform (6/5/2007)
New Hampshire: Liability Apportionment Bill Advances in Senate (5/29/2007)
Illinois: Insurance Industry Still Holding Breath (5/29/2007)
Mutual Trades Applaud Defeat of ‘Double Lawsuit’ Bill (5/23/2007)
Washington: Governor Signs Legislation That Will Clog Courts, Raise Insurance Costs (5/22/2007)
Washington Governor Signs Legislation That will Clog the Courts and Raise Insurance Costs (5/16/2007)
Oklahoma: Governor Vetoes Major Tort Reform Bill (5/1/2007)
Chamber Study Ranks Best, Worst Lawsuit Climates; Delaware Tops List (4/26/2007)
Oklahoma Passes Major Tort Reform Bill (4/19/2007)
Oklahoma Alert: Contact Your State Senator Immediately to Vote "Yes" for Tort Reform (4/18/2007)
More Catastrophe-Related Laws Enacted in 2006, Annual NAMIC Survey of State Insurance Laws Reveals (2/22/2007)
Study: U.S. Tort Costs Total $261 Billion in 2005 (12/14/2006)
2006 ‘Judicial Hellholes’ Include West Virginia, South Florida, Southeast Texas, and Three Illinois Counties (12/13/2006)
Massachusetts: Court Limits Attorneys Fee Ruling to Duty to Defend Cases (12/4/2006)
110th Congress - Outlook - Democrat Takeover (11/8/2006)
U.S. Supreme Court: Punitive Damage Awards Tested (11/6/2006)
California: Governor Vetoes Attorney’s Fees Award Bill (10/9/2006)
South Dakota: Coalition Fighting J.A.I.L. Launches Website (7/10/2006)
House Subcommittee Hears Testimony on Silicosis Claims (6/8/2006)
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