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Perry Declares Tort Reform Emergency Legislation (Texas)
KWTX.Com ^ | May 6, 2011

Posted on 05/09/2011 10:47:54 AM PDT by BradtotheBone

AUSTIN (May 6, 2011)--Gov. Rick Perry has declared a tort reform bill to be emergency legislation, which allows the House and Senate to push the bill to the top of the agenda.

The measure, House Bill 274, calls on the Texas Supreme Court to institute rules that make it tougher to bring a civil lawsuit and would also allow defendants to collect costs if they prevail.

Right now only claimants can collect lawyer's fees and costs if they win.

The bill's author, Republican state Rep. Brandon Creighton, says the bill would make civil courts more efficient and less expensive, but opponents say it would discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

(Excerpt) Read more at kwtx.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; US: Texas
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BWAAAAHAHAHAHA, The donk trial lawyers are howling now in Texas.
1 posted on 05/09/2011 10:47:57 AM PDT by BradtotheBone
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To: BradtotheBone

When they civil lawsuit are they saying single or collectively? Can no one individually sue?


2 posted on 05/09/2011 10:50:11 AM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: BradtotheBone

Texas justice would improve if lawyers stopped contributing to judges’ campaigns before appearing in their courts. Elected judges in contested elections are a bad idea. Occasional elections where judges are retained is ok, keeps a slight check on their behavior. Jmo.


3 posted on 05/09/2011 10:52:44 AM PDT by Defiant (When Democrats lose voters, they manufacture new voters instead of convincing the existing voters.)
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To: BradtotheBone

Texas...leading the way in REAL regulatory reform handicapping business.


4 posted on 05/09/2011 10:54:15 AM PDT by mo ("If you understand, no explanation is needed; if you do not, no explanation is possible")
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To: freekitty

Basically, if you file a lawsuit and lose, you will be required to pay the legal fees of the defendent. This will eliminate most frivolous (shakedown) lawsuits.


5 posted on 05/09/2011 10:54:31 AM PDT by BradtotheBone (Moderate Democrat - A politician whose voting record leans left and whose vote can be bought.)
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To: BradtotheBone
discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

Well, DUH! Isn't that the whole point to the bill?
6 posted on 05/09/2011 10:57:02 AM PDT by 84rules ( Ooh-Rah! Semper Fi!)
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To: BradtotheBone

A nice little flame war started in the comments at the source.


7 posted on 05/09/2011 10:58:26 AM PDT by Professional Engineer (Conservative States of America has a nice ring to it.)
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To: BradtotheBone
...but opponents say it would discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

Yep. That's kinda the point.

8 posted on 05/09/2011 10:59:57 AM PDT by SeeSharp
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To: BradtotheBone

Eliminate frivolous lawsuits... how horrible, it may actually inspire companies to do something drastic - like relocate here and hire fellow Texans!


9 posted on 05/09/2011 11:03:14 AM PDT by Made In The USA (This post may be recorded for quality purposes.)
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To: mo

It’s all well enough, but the real emergency is cutting spending; enforcing the border; eliminating sanctuary cities; lifting restrictions on open carry, geting rid of the gross receipts tax, etc.

Perry is #$$@*&%?! Rhino, and so is R legislature.


10 posted on 05/09/2011 11:09:32 AM PDT by achilles2000 ("I'll agree to save the whales as long as we can deport the liberals")
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To: BradtotheBone
....but opponents say it would discourage people from bringing FRIVOLOUS and / or TRIVIAL suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose at hitting the Courthouse lottery.
11 posted on 05/09/2011 11:21:25 AM PDT by Ron H. (Only Republicans can turn "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat" into an elevated art form!)
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To: BradtotheBone
calls on the Texas Supreme Court to institute rules that make it tougher to bring a civil lawsuit and would also allow defendants to collect costs if they prevail

This is a double-edged sword to be sure. But it's long overdue. Trial Lawyers and scumbags filing frivolous lawsuits have brought us to this point. This situation has gone on for far too long. The legislatures have failed to address this problem. The down side is that some of those who have legitimate claims will not be able to proceed because a loss for them would be a financial catastrophe. Even if you have a valid claim you can still lose in civil court for any number of reasons. But this is the result of years of failure of the greedy lawyers bringing forth idiotic lawsuits and idiot jurors and insane verdicts.
12 posted on 05/09/2011 11:23:37 AM PDT by truthguy (Good intentions are not enough.)
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To: BradtotheBone

One of the side benefits to this change will be less money flowing into the coffers of liberal Democrat legislators and judges. Look to Obama to try and stop this by using his henchman in charge of the AG office to attack it.


13 posted on 05/09/2011 11:28:45 AM PDT by Ron H. (Only Republicans can turn "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat" into an elevated art form!)
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To: BradtotheBone

How many frivolous plaintiffs have any money to collect the costs? Very few. This is a bill that looks good on paper but would have little real effect.

Now, if you want REAL reform, make the plaintiff’s ATTORNEY liable for the defendant’s costs if he loses. And if he doesn’t pay up, suspend his license to practice until he does.


14 posted on 05/09/2011 11:35:40 AM PDT by henkster (Every member of Congress must put the fate of the nation over their next re-election campaign)
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15 posted on 05/09/2011 11:44:47 AM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: achilles2000

Attracting more businesses to Texas, thus increasing the tax base, would help on all those fronts. Tort reform (’loser pays’) will help do that.


16 posted on 05/09/2011 11:50:25 AM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: BradtotheBone
...opponents say it would discourage people from bringing suits because of the fear of paying huge legal costs if they lose.

Hmm...how about trying this. Don't sue someone for an obscene amount of money unless you got the proof to win.

17 posted on 05/09/2011 12:44:31 PM PDT by LoneStarGI (Vegetarian: Old Indian word for "BAD HUNTER.")
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To: Professional Engineer
A nice little flame war started in the comments at the source.

Nah, that couldn't happen with Texans. Must be the trial lawyers checking in from other states.

18 posted on 05/09/2011 1:32:34 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (The American taxpayer cannot support the tax and spend habits of DC.)
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To: BradtotheBone

Would this apply to patents and the East Texas district? East Texas is the #1 location for filing patent suits nationwide. The juries there overwhelming favor plaintiffs in patent suits, so legal firms have learned to file their suits there regardless where the defendant is located.


19 posted on 05/09/2011 1:37:50 PM PDT by PastorBooks
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To: henkster
How many frivolous plaintiffs have any money to collect the costs? Very few. This is a bill that looks good on paper but would have little real effect.

The targets here are the scumbag lawyers, not their scumbag frivolous plaintiffs.

20 posted on 05/09/2011 1:48:27 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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