[LibertarianInExile]

What about the tobacco situation? Wasn't that government involved there? :)

And I mentioned product liability, but who knows what other punitive damages situations much be created which government could ride to an increased budget? Punitive damages can be awarded for more than just product liability torts, right?

[Dog Gone]

Sure, but my point is that the government can squeeze money out of companies any time it wants to, even under the current system. They don't even have to win a court case to do it.

A major incentive for the trial lawyers is the prospect of punitive damages. I'm trying to take that away.

If you do something bad and damage me, you should be forced to pay for it. That makes me whole. There's no logic that dictates that I should also get millions of dollars extra to split with my attorney. All that system does is make me hope that you damage me, so that I can win the equivalent of the Lotto.