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PA Chamber members re-energize lawsuit abuse reform push
Business coalition wants movement on venue, apology bills in 2012
PA Chamber members are looking for additional progress on lawsuit abuse reform in 2012, and are again partnering with a broad coalition of business, health-care and insurance groups to accomplish the collective goal. With enactment of the Fair Share Act in June 2011 – a major legislative accomplishment for job creators – the PA Chamber is focusing attention on two additional legal reform priorities: venue reform and apology legislation. House Bill 1976 would require trial lawyers to file lawsuits in jurisdictions that have a direct relationship to the plaintiff or the cause giving rise to the action. The bill would apply a successful 2002 law limiting venue in medical malpractice cases to all civil liability cases. The measure should effectively reduce the number of cases being purposely filed in regions that have earned reputations as pro-plaintiff jurisdictions, such as Philadelphia, which again earned the moniker ‘top judicial hellhole’ in a recent study based on its history of awarding large monetary settlements to plaintiffs. House Bill 1976 is currently awaiting a vote by the full state House, which would send the legislation to the Senate for approval. Apology legislation, which already passed the House and awaits consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee, is another commonsense lawsuit abuse reform measure that PA Chamber members hope to see become law. House Bill 495 would allow medical professionals to speak directly and honestly with patients following an unforeseen medical outcome without fear of litigation based solely on their conversation. The bill wouldn’t relieve medical providers of liability, but would reduce their need to “deny and defend” and allow patients and their families the apology and explanation they rightly deserve. A fair and predictable legal climate is a key competitiveness issue. The Commonwealth’s long-standing reputation of having an unbalanced legal system hinders business investment, job creation and business growth. Through the Fair Share Act and additional reform measures, Pennsylvania will share in the benefits other states are realizing for having in place balanced legal systems. Information on additional lawsuit abuse reform measures supported by the PA Chamber can be found in a special section of the Chamber’s website. ### Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of Business. |
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