Tag Archives: tort reform

It’s called “tort reform.” The state of Mississippi limits the amount juries can award people for pain and suffering in personal injuries to $1 million. A federal appeals court recently upheld this cap. Lisa Learmonth was injured in a car crash with a Sears Roebuck van. A trial judge lowered the jury’s damages, limiting her non-economic losses (those beyond hospital bills and lost earning capacity) to $1 million, based on Mississippi’s cap on damages. On appeal to the 5th Circuit, …

A judge has drastically reduced a $3 million jury verdict awarded to the widow of a worker who died from cancer after years of handling products made with asbestos. Companies have been ordered by juries to pay millions of dollars only to have the damages slashed by a judge after trial. Under “tort reform,” many states have passed laws that limit how much an injured person can collect, such as by capping damages at a few hundred thousand dollars. Juries …

A new lawsuit accuses Burger King of serving scalding hot coffee that caused serious bodily injury when spilled. Kathleen Perez picked up her coffee at the drive-through window in Metairie, La., when the lid popped off as a Burger King employee handed the cup to her. According to her lawsuit, the spill burned her arms, chest and stomach, causing permanent scarring and discoloration. In two other lawsuits filed in 2012, McDonald’s is blamed for serving coffee so hot that it …

With 2012 in the books, it’s time to look back at the landslide of legislation, lawsuits and judicial decisions that have had far-reaching effects on Americans’ access to health care, marriage, voting, Second, Fourth and Seventh Amendment rights and more. Lawyers.com takes a peek at the top consumer legal stories of the year:   Obamacare survives legal challenges: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, is set to change the face of health care as we know it, …

How to Make a Property Insurance Claim After Disaster Strikes Hurricanes, blizzards, fires and tornadoes can spell doom for homeowners. If your home has been damaged or destroyed in the wake of a disaster, your property insurance may be the key to rebuilding your life. But there are some important things to know before you file a claim. Find Out More…   LGBT Couples May Be Able to Apply for Retroactive Tax Refunds With the looming possibility that the U.S. …