Quantcast

LEGAL NEWSLINE

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Reform News

Latest News


Reform

Report finds mass tort litigation relies on third-party financing, questionable science

By Legal Newsline |
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

By Daniel Fisher |
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'

By St. Louis Record News Service |
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

By Nicholas Malfitano |
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

By Daniel Fisher |
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

By W.J. Kennedy |
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

By Chris Dickerson |
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

By Juliette Fairley |
62.1% of personal injury lawsuits were filed in Florida compared to 11.65% nationwide

Reform

Little noticed SCOTUS ruling could reinvigorate 'litigation tourism'

By W.J. Kennedy |
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

By Juliette Fairley |
The bill would include non-economic damages if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs it.

Reform

Report: Litigation claims hit Florida senior living, long-term care providers hard

By Chris Dickerson |
A new report shows Florida is one of the states hardest hit by litigation claims against senior living and long-term care facilities.

Reform

Governor, lawmakers launch bid to curb excessive lawsuits, 'predatory' attorneys

By Michael Carroll |
A reform drive to reduce excessive litigation and prevent “predatory trial lawyers” from targeting individuals, truckers and small businesses was launched Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Reform

Pa. courts move up to No. 2 ranking on ATRA's annual 'Judicial Hellholes' report list

By Nicholas Malfitano |
WASHINGTON – According to the latest annual report of “Judicial Hellholes” released Tuesday by the American Tort Reform Association, Pennsylvania courts have garnered the No. 2 ranking for jurisdictions considered unfriendly to businesses – moving up two places from the fourth spot on the list, where they had been ranked last year.

Reform

Study: Verdicts of more than $10 million are on the rise

By Juliette Fairley |
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Exceptionally large jury awards exceeding $10 million are on the rise.

Reform

Pa. Supreme Court rolls back med-mal venue rules, allowing plaintiffs greater filing leeway

By Nicholas Malfitano |
HARRISBURG – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Civil Procedural Rules Committee has green-lit standards allowing plaintiffs statewide greater leeway in where to file medical malpractice liability cases, a move cheered by personal injury attorneys and criticized by health care and business interests.

Reform

Civil justice reform group wants AG James to investigate serial ADA lawsuits filed against small businesses

By Juliette Fairley |
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A civil justice advocacy group is calling on the New York Attorney General to investigate lawyers who file serial Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits against small businesses.

Reform

Open the Books accuses nonprofits of using free trips to curry financial favor with Congress

By Juliette Fairley |
Andrzejewski: 'All the transactions are legal but the pattern is troubling.'

Reform

Pa. courts drop from the top to No. 4 ranking on ATRA's annual 'Judicial Hellholes' list

By Nicholas Malfitano |
WASHINGTON – According to the latest annual report of “Judicial Hellholes” released today by the American Tort Reform Association, Pennsylvania courts have garnered the No. 4 ranking for jurisdictions considered unfriendly to businesses – falling three places from the top spot on the report, where they had been listed for the preceding two years.