Tort tales lash back; outrageous anecdotes fueled tort reform, but it's a game two can play

Article Abstract:

The tort reform movement persuaded legislatures in 42 states to enact limits on damages between 1985 and 1990, but businessmen, medical and insurance personnel who seek further limits are meeting resistance as the plaintiffs' bar collects anecdotes about tort victims wronged by the legal system. It is too early to say whether limitations may be rolled back. Statistics on the seven-year experience with tort reform are limited, but judging from the 18 states which report their civil filing caseloads to the National Center for State Courts, lawsuits have increased during this period.

Political aspects, Tort reform, Limitation of damages, Limitations of damages

---

There's gold in them thar contracts! L.A. firm faces suit over gold standard used in lease

Article Abstract:

The plaintiff contended in Fur Mark Associates v. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton that a gold clause in the landlord-tenant contract encouraged the landlord to ask for the rent in gold coin, the reason for a rent hike from $2000 to about $40,000 monthly. Fur Mark then sued Sheppard Mullin for malpractice, arguing that the law firm failed to spot problematic provisions in the lease. Sheppard Mullin's position was that there have been recent laws that gold clause provisions were not enforceable.

Interpretation and construction, Cases, California, Contracts, Landlord and tenant, Landlord-tenant relations

---

Selling out structured settlements: abuses in secondary market lead to reform legislation

Article Abstract:

Some legal observers are calling for more stringent laws to be placed on the sales of structured settlements. A huge secondary market has developed for purchasing structured settlement annuity payments from people who have received compensation for their injuries. While these companies defend their practices as helpful to the sellers, critics who have charged that more regulation is needed have won legislative victories on this issue in Texas and Illinois.

United States, Economic aspects, Structured settlements

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Save the whales; among the many worthy causes, let's also save the profession. Dan Quayle was right; too many lawyers focusing on fees, not clients
• Abstracts: Reports: little discovery abuse; fuel reform opposition. 'Noisy withdrawal' held a duty. The battle escalates on reform: will case management measures work?
• Abstracts: DNA report raises concerns; study backs genetic evidence, but questions reliability of labs, statistics. part 2
• Abstracts: Can U.S. courts be good sports? Ice cream mogul leaves legacy of discord; Tom Carvel named seven as trust overseers, but they can't seem to agree on anything
• Abstracts: London insurer halts payments; many lawyers affected? Firm PACs: all business; it's power, not politics, that spurs the spending of lawyers' money for candidates

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.