Blog

State Budget Update: Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Notches a Major Win

On May 6, the Legislature took steps to overhaul the budget put forward by Gov. Evers, which included a two-year operating budget of more than $90 billion and a long list of changes to various state laws and programs. Voting 12-4 along party lines, the Republican-led Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) approved an omnibus motion to strip more than 380 items from the budget, including the civil justice policies of concern to WCJC and our members.

ICYMI: WCJC Webinar on Wisconsin Rules of Civil Procedure

On May 5, the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council partnered with Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. to host a virtual panel discussion on Wisconsin’s rules of civil procedure. Panelists discussed recent changes to the rules that are relevant for many attorneys, including new discovery limits and mandates, rules regarding e-discovery, changes to statutes of limitation, incorporation of federal class action rules, and modifications to the timely claim payment statute.

Seventh Circuit Reverses Lead Paint Verdict, Limits the Scope of “Risk-Contribution Theory”

From 2005 to 2011, Wisconsin had a six-year window where plaintiffs could sue manufacturers of white lead carbonate (a pigment formerly used in some paints) under a tort theory known as “risk-contribution.” Under this theory, plaintiffs can seek damages from a company that produced white lead carbonate used in paint even if the plaintiff cannot demonstrate that the company produced the pigment that caused an alleged injury.

Appeals Court Rules State Can Release Records on Businesses with COVID-19 Cases

On Monday, April 5, a three-judge panel from the District IV Court of Appeals ruled against Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) and in favor of Governor Tony Evers, his administration, and the media in a case involving information about businesses whose employees have contracted COVID-19. The lawsuit was filed in October 2020 in Waukesha County Circuit Court by WMC, the state’s largest business association, as well as two local chambers of commerce.