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'Judicial Hellholes' report: Philly No. 1, but South Carolina asbestos court moving up
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina's asbestos court is now the No. 3 "Judicial Hellhole" in the country, the American Tort Reform Association announced, handing the docket its highest ranking since it first appeared on the annual report in 2020.
Reform
Georgia insurance report coming Nov. 1 could bolster long-awaited tort reform
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – Tort reform may finally be prioritized in Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's legislative agenda next year.
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University of Missouri law professor: Third-party litigation funding presents 'significant ethical concerns'
On October 11th, Dennis Crouch, a law professor at the University of Missouri School ofLaw, published a detailed breakdown of third-party litigation funding (TPLF) in patent cases, emphasizing the ethical and transparency issues surrounding this growing practice.
Reform
124 companies urge third-party litigation funding disclosure rule for federal courts
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A total of 124 companies have sent a letter to the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules urging creation of a new rule that would require a uniform process for the disclosure of third-party litigation funding in federal cases nationwide.
Reform
U.S. Chamber of Commerce ILR report sheds light on third-party litigation funding
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) has released a report on third-party litigation funding (TPLF). It asserts that TPLF operates with little transparency and often at the expense of those its mission is to help.
Reform
Abbott CEO on baby formula litigation: 'a public health crisis' would ensue if 'standard of care' formulas are no longer available in NICUs
Abbott Labs CEO Robert Ford said during a recent interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that ongoing litigation could negatively impact public health.
Reform
Biz groups, Dems announce deal to reform law that spawned thousands of 'shakedown' suits vs employers
Under the deal to reform the Private Attorney General Act, a coalition of business groups would agree to withdraw a ballot measure that would have largely gutted PAGA. Reports showed PAGA generated lawsuits worth $10B in payouts from employers in the past 10 years, with big money for lawyers, little real benefit for workers
Reform
Capping contingency fees in Nevada could have unintended consequences
A 20% cap on lawyer contingency fees in Nevada is supported by Uber but few business organizations, perhaps reflecting concern that such measures can end up doing more harm than good.
Reform
Nevada Trucking Association CEO: ‘lawyers end up winning while the rest of Nevadans foot the bill’
Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association, criticized the legal system for being "rigged in favor of billboard attorneys and against everyone else," asserting that Nevada residents are left to "foot the bill" while "some of the richest attorneys in the country" reap significant profits. This statement was shared by Enos in a press release dated March 18.
Reform
Atlanta business owner: Lawsuits are ‘causing auto and commercial rates to explode’
Chris Hellgeth, owner of the Atlanta-based fuel-hauling company Vi-Mac, has called for "tort reform" to prevent lawsuits from "causing auto and commercial rates to explode." Hellgeth made this statement in an April 16 post on X.
Reform
Report finds mass tort litigation relies on third-party financing, questionable science
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), an organization dedicated to the reform of the civil justice system, has released a report outlining the tactics employed by trial lawyers in mass tort litigation. According to the report, these practices often involve third-party litigation financing (TPLF), reliance on questionable scientific evidence, and extensive advertising campaigns.
Reform
Law passed to help with medical malpractice insurance rates struck by Washington justices
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Answering a question posed by a federal court, the Washington Supreme Court said an eight-year time limit for filing medical malpractice suits passed by state legislators in 2006 is unconstitutional because it takes away the right to sue from some plaintiffs while leaving it in place for others.
Reform
Attorney General Bailey launches investigation into Media Matters for 'allegedly fraudulent solicitation of donations'
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced that his office has launched an investigation into Media Matters for America, a left-leaning media "watchdog" group, for allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices in soliciting donations.
Reform
Pa. courts tie for No. 1 ranking on annual 'Judicial Hellholes' report list
WASHINGTON – According to the latest annual report of “Judicial Hellholes” released Tuesday by the American Tort Reform Association, Pennsylvania courts have tied with Georgia for the No. 1 ranking for jurisdictions considered unfriendly to businesses.
Reform
New rules force judges to expel 'junk science' experts from court
It’s labeled a “clarification,” but an amendment to the Federal Rules of Evidence going into effect today is intended to end the widespread practice of judges allowing paid experts to peddle unscientific theories in their courts.
Reform
Defense lawyers: Mass tort claims driven by advertising, not injury, but the proposed fix is weak
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Millions of dollars pumped into billboard, TV and internet advertising as a come-on to sign mass tort plaintiffs is drawing in a high percentage of claimants with no basis for the claims, lawyers say.
Reform
Legislation would stop foreign third-party litigation funding
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) recently introduced legislation that would stop foreign entities and governments from funding litigation in American courts.
Reform
Study: Floridians filed the highest number of personal injury cases nationwide
62.1% of personal injury lawsuits were filed in Florida compared to 11.65% nationwide
Reform
Little noticed SCOTUS ruling could reinvigorate 'litigation tourism'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - American businesses should be on the lookout for the aftershocks of one of the U.S. Supreme Court's less publicized rulings issued before summer recess, one that could give new life to venue shopping by the plaintiffs’ bar – a practice a leading tort law expert has coined “litigation tourism.”
Reform
New York lawmakers approve expansion of liability in renewed wrongful death bill
The bill would include non-economic damages if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs it.