FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—February 26, 2004
Contact: Larry Akey
202-463-5824
U.S. Chamber Hails Legal Reform Vote by Mississippi Senate
Urges House to Act Immediately to Pass Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) applauded the Mississippi State Senate for passing comprehensive legal reform legislation and urged the Mississippi House to follow suit immediately. The Senate approved the bill 32-15.
"This bill is a good start at reforming Mississippi's troubled civil justice system," said ILR President, Lisa Rickard. "The Governor and the Senate are on the right side of this issue. They stand with Mississippi's consumers and businesses in the fight to restore fairness and balance to the state's legal system."
Mississippi, which has one of the most unfair legal climates in the country, has been ranked 50th in the nation two years in a row by the ILR/Harris Interactive survey of state legal fairness.
"We urge the House to pass this vital piece of legislation as soon as possible. It will make business investment in Mississippi more attractive, and that means more jobs and a better economy," added Rickard.
The bill (SB 2763) would cap pain and suffering damage awards at $250,000 and limit venue shopping by plaintiffs. It also would limit punitive damage awards against companies and require that a medical review panel evaluate all medical malpractice claims. The mission of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is to make America's legal system simpler, fairer and faster for everyone. It seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial and educational activities at the national, state and local levels.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region