Friday, January 07, 2005

Limiting Liability

This story highlights some of President Bush's ideas on liability reform.
Mr. Bush would like to see a cap of $250,000 on the awards for pain and suffering and restrictions on punitive damages -- the part of a judgment that often accounts for the lion's share of financial compensation -- to cases of "truly egregious wrongdoing."

I am contemplating these actions and feel that "junk" or "frivolous" lawsuits have gotten out of control. Personally, I have always liked the "looser pays" concept. "Looser pays" will halt "frivolous" lawsuits at their heart - the lawyers, the lawyers will not manipulate people into suing unless they know they can win and get paid! The issue now is that you sue "no matter if you are right or not" because the plaintiff will pay simply because it is cheaper then the litigation cost! We as consumers I assure you actually eat the "big company's" cost weather you realize it or not - they are in business to make money, and besides if they did not turn the cost back on consumers there would be additional layoffs. I will say any reform will be an improvement! See The Washington Times column here.

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