tort reform News

Texas ‘Hailstorm’ Litigation Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk

Legislation backed by the insurance industry and some Texas business groups that curtails the ability of policyholders to sue insurance companies over property claims following extreme weather events has passed the state Senate and is headed for the governor’s desk. …

Bill Limiting Medical Costs in Injury Lawsuits Sent to Missouri Governor

Missouri lawmakers sent Gov. Eric Greitens a measure that would limit how much money people could receive for medical costs in injury lawsuits, the latest in a series of proposals that Republican supporters hope will make the state more business-friendly. …

Missouri Workers’ Comp Lawsuit Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

Missouri lawmakers have passed a bill to raise the standard for employees to sue for discrimination over workers’ compensation claims. Senators voted 23-10 on May 8 to send the legislation to Republican Gov. Eric Greitens, who has said he wants …

Arkansas House Passes Tort-Reform Amendment Capping Punitive Damages, Fees

The Arkansas House has approved a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ask voters to limit some attorney’s fees and punitive damages in lawsuits. The House voted 65-29 for the joint resolution and sent it back to the state Senate …

Texas Bill Would End ‘Wrongful Birth’ Suits Against Doctors

Texans would no longer be allowed to sue doctors for a “wrongful birth” under a bill approved unanimously by the Senate State Affairs Committee. According to the announcement released by the Senate, wrongful birth suits are based on an accusations …

Missouri GOP Again Seeking to Limit Liability Lawsuits

With new Republican Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ support, GOP lawmakers this year are pushing a collection of bills to limit liability lawsuits that supporters have praised as pro-business but critics have slammed as hindering access to the courts. The legislation …

Arkansas Bill Would Limit Attorneys’ Fees, Punitive Damages

An Arkansas Senate committee has advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask voters to limit some attorneys’ fees and punitive damages in court cases. The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Feb. 14 to advance the …

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Limits Upheld in Missouri

The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that caps on how much money someone can win in a wrongful death lawsuit do not violate the constitution. The decision says a person’s right to a jury trial in those cases is not …

Tort, Work Comp Reform Among Illinois Gov.’s Budget Holdouts

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has an answer to the state Capitol budget impasse: adopt five “structural reforms” that make it cheaper to do business in Illinois. House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago calls the proposals “extreme” and anathema to legislative …

Voter ID, Tort Reform Among Amendments Filed in Arkansas

Reinstating Arkansas’ voter ID law, imposing new restrictions on lawsuit damages and eliminating the lieutenant governor’s office are among the dozens of ideas lawmakers would like to put on the ballot in 2016. With about 40 proposed constitutional amendments filed …