The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has published an opinion piece by WCJC officers Bill G. Smith and Scott Manley explaining why SB 13/AB 19, which provides transparency and prevents fraud in lawsuits involving personal injury trusts by creating certain discovery requirements during litigation, is good for Wisconsin businesses. Continue reading “Bill Protects Wisconsin Businesses in Asbestos Lawsuits”
Tag: Tort Reform
ATRA Fall Conference to Highlight Wisconsin Reforms
The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council has been the vanguard of the civil justice reform movement in Wisconsin since its 2009 formation. The many reforms championed by WCJC over the past three years will be highlighted by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) at its Annual Legislative Conference for State Coalition Leaders this fall.
Continue reading “ATRA Fall Conference to Highlight Wisconsin Reforms”
Radio Host Exposes Myths and Mischaracterizations of Asbestos Trust Legislation
Popular Wisconsin radio personality Vicki McKenna hosted Brian Sikma from Media Trackers for a discussion of the twisted lies opponents of AB 19/SB 13 are using to try and defeat the legislation.
Continue reading “Radio Host Exposes Myths and Mischaracterizations of Asbestos Trust Legislation”
Asbestos House Cleanup
The U.S. House of Representatives is voting today on the bi-partisan Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act, which would require asbestos trust claimants to disclose certain information about relief they have sought before pursuing litigation. Continue reading “Asbestos House Cleanup”
More Transparency Needed in Asbestos Lawsuits
Christian Schneider’s most recent piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel exposes the questionable legal action Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) is taking to seek remedy for her lung cancer – suing 70 companies that she believes contributed to her exposure to asbestos when she was a child while not mentioning she has been a smoker for 40 years. As Schneider explains, lawsuits like this threaten the solvency of trusts set up to compensate actual asbestos victims by firms that went bankrupt, while also placing a burden on solvent companies. Continue reading “More Transparency Needed in Asbestos Lawsuits”
Wisconsin Businesses Support AB 19/SB 13, Personal Injury Trusts
The Wisconsin business community supports AB 19/SB 13, providing transparency in personal injury trusts. The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council respectfully requests that the Senate schedule and pass the bill.
This bill does NOT negatively affect veterans: To the contrary, by protecting limited funds available to trusts and the limited resources of solvent Wisconsin businesses, AB 19/SB 13 will help ensure that veterans and other legitimate victims receive fair compensation in the future. Continue reading “Wisconsin Businesses Support AB 19/SB 13, Personal Injury Trusts”
Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Receives Outstanding Organization Award
The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council has gained national recognition for its role in passing sweeping legal reforms in 2011 and its continued commitment to combating lawsuit abuse.
Members of WCJC and WMC traveled to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 14th Annual Legal Reform Summit in Washington, D.C. to accept the award. Continue reading “Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Receives Outstanding Organization Award”
Wisconsin Reforms Draw National Attention
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Wisconsin Senate passed AB 27, Transparency in Private Attorney Contracting (TIPAC), on a bipartisan vote, 23-10 (five Democrats joined all 18 Republicans). The U.S. Chamber applauds AB 27 as “Nation’s Strongest Outside Counsel Sunshine Law,” while the American Tort Reform Association proclaimed to its national audience that the “New Law Will Help Make Wisconsin More Attractive to Employers.” Continue reading “Wisconsin Reforms Draw National Attention”
WCJC Applauds Wisconsin Senate for Passing Pro-Business, Transparency Legislation
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Wisconsin Senate passed Assembly Bill 27, which provides transparency when the State of Wisconsin hires private plaintiff attorneys’ on a contingency fee basis. The bill passed on a bipartisan basis, 23-10, and will be sent to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. Continue reading “WCJC Applauds Wisconsin Senate for Passing Pro-Business, Transparency Legislation”
Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee Schedules Vote for Personal Injury Trust Claims Transparency Bill
The Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee has scheduled an executive session on Wednesday, October 9 to vote on AB 19/SB 13, Personal Injury Trust Claims Transparency. The purpose of this bill is to prevent double-dipping by plaintiffs’ attorneys through greater transparency during the litigation process in cases where the plaintiff also has a claim with a bankruptcy trust fund. SB 13/AB 19 is a top priority for WCJC and the Wisconsin business community, as evidenced by the groups supporting the bill. AB 19 passed the Assembly earlier this year.
For more information about AB 19/SB 13, please see WCJC’s legislation webpage, which includes a white paper explaining the purpose of the bill, along with a Wall Street Journal editorial discussing a similar bill that passed in Ohio last year.