[FreedominJesusChrist]

The legislature does not have the legitimate authority to put price-caps on a lawyers' fees or to put price caps on the amount of punitive damages a civilly wronged plaintiff may receive.

First of all, it is the constitutional and legitimate duty for a judge to decide of the plaintiff has a legitimate case and if it is decided that the suit may procede, it is up to the jury to decide if the defendent(s) are truly guilty of the allegations levied against them. If the plaintiff wins the suit, it is up to either the judge or jury to decide what monetary awards the plaintiff is entitled to receive--not any legislature's.

[deport]

Would you admit that tort reform may include reforms to other things besides punitive damage awards?

[terilyn]

I honestly am not so worried about the "price caps". Although I find it hard to believe that somebody who is stupid enough to put a cup of hot coffee between their legs and not expect it could burn them should be awarded millions of dollars for being a moron.

That aside, the tort reform I would most like to see happen is the loser pays part. Something needs to be done to stop the flood of frivilous lawsuits that are clogging up our courts.

Big tobacco was first. Next comes big fat food. I'm sure big pop will be next. Where does it stop? Big sun-tan lotion? Big dog treats? After all, there are a lot of fat Fido's running around the world. I'm sure the dog food manufactuerers are making that stuff taste waaaaaay too good. Poor Fido couldn't help himself and it's somebody's fault.

Next thing you know somebody will get sued over big hair.